Smart, practical solutions from our home renovation and remodeling experts to keep your kitchen cool and comfortable.
Introduction
Kitchens naturally run hot due to all the heat-generating appliances, your oven, stove, dishwasher, and even refrigerator all produce warmth and steam that increase the temperature and humidity in the room. Even when you’re not cooking, a lack of proper ventilation can leave the space feeling stuffy, humid, and uncomfortable. Sunlight pouring in through windows can compound the problem by flooding your kitchen with additional heat, especially on summer afternoons.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take a full renovation to get relief. As home remodeling experts, MGS Contracting Services has identified a range of effective fixes, from simple habit changes to strategic upgrades, that will help cool down an overheated kitchen without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll cover 10 tried-and-true strategies to beat the heat in your kitchen. You’ll learn how to improve ventilation (with range hoods, windows, and fans), reduce heat at the source (by cooking smarter and relocating appliances), use targeted cooling tools (like portable AC units and dehumidifiers), and control external heat (by blocking sunlight and even cooking outdoors). Let’s dive in!
Key Points: Quick Takeaways
- Improve ventilation through range hoods, open windows, and exhaust or ceiling fans to expel hot air.
- Reduce heat creation by using the oven/stove less and repositioning heat-producing appliances for better spacing.
- Use cooling aids like a portable AC, window unit, or dehumidifier to actively cool the kitchen when needed (and choose energy-efficient appliances to generate less excess heat).
- Block external heat by shading sun-exposed windows and consider cooking outdoors during peak summer heat to keep your kitchen comfortable.
CREDIT: PINTEREST
Section 1: Improve Kitchen Ventilation
1. Use the Range Hood or Exhaust Fan
One of the most effective ways to cool a hot kitchen is to ventilate the heat at the source. The exhaust fan or range hood above your stove is essential for maintaining a comfortable temperature while you cook, as long as it’s properly installed and maintained. A good range hood will pull hot air, steam, smoke, and grease up from the stovetop and vent it to the outside of your home, instead of letting all that heat circulate around the kitchen. In fact, a vented hood provides a measure of temperature control, helping keep the cook at the stove cooler and more comfortablecallapollo.com by removing a lot of the excess heat and humidity produced during cooking.
If your kitchen has a range hood, make sure it actually vents outdoors rather than just recirculating air through a filter. “The most effective fix is a strong range hood that vents outside, if yours just recirculates, you’re basically blowing warm air back into the room,” notes one HVAC professional. Recirculating (ductless) hoods can trap some grease and odors, but they don’t remove heat or moisture from the space; this often results in a warmer, clammy kitchen and may require additional strategies to really keep the area coololdworldstoneworks.com. In contrast, a ducted hood that vents outside will expel heat, steam, and smells outdoors, preventing heat buildup and improving comfortoldworldstoneworks.com. MGS Contracting Services can help install a new vented range hood or upgrade your existing one to duct outside if it currently doesn’t, this single change can make a huge difference in your kitchen’s climate.
Maintenance Tip: Don’t forget to maintain your range hood so it works optimally. Grease and grime can clog the filters and vents, reducing airflow. We recommend cleaning or replacing the hood’s filters on the schedule recommended by the manufacturer and wiping down any grease buildup on the hood surfaces regularly. Keeping the vent fan clean ensures it continues pulling maximum air volume. With a quality, clean range hood venting properly, you’ll eliminate cooking fumes and remove excess heat from your kitchen, making it a cooler and more pleasant place to cookhauslane.com.
2. Open Windows and Doors for Cross Ventilation
A simple but often overlooked fix for a hot kitchen is to open up your windows, especially while cooking. Ventilating naturally by opening a window allows the hot, moist air that’s built up to escape and invites fresher air to flow in. As one expert puts it, the goal is to “get the hot, moist air out as fast as you make it”. If you don’t have a range hood or an exhaust fan running, cracking a nearby window is the easiest way to start dissipating heat and steam from boiling pots or sizzling pans.
For even better results, create cross-ventilation by opening a second window or a door on the opposite side of the room (or house, if possible). This creates a breezy path for air to flow through: hot air will rush out one opening while cooler air comes in through the other. A cross-breeze is widely regarded as one of the most energy-efficient and sustainable ways to refresh and cool a home’s air, naturally replacing the hot indoor air with cooler outside air and reducing room temperatures in the processbhg.com. In other words, you’re letting nature be your fan. Even a small cross-breeze can help push out humidity and heat, making the kitchen atmosphere less oppressive.
Keep in mind that cross-ventilation works best if the outdoor air is cooler or drier than the indoor air (such as in the evenings or early mornings). In very humid or scorching weather, you might need additional measures (like fans or AC, discussed later). But generally, whenever conditions allow, throw open those windows! If your kitchen only has one window, try opening a window in an adjacent room or hallway and the kitchen door to get air moving. Every bit of airflow helps.
MGS Pro Tip: If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, consider adding a new operable window or enlarging an existing one to improve ventilation. A strategically placed window (for example, across from your cooking area) can dramatically improve airflow. During our renovation projects, we often recommend energy-efficient windows that can open to catch a breeze but seal tightly when closed. The investment in an extra window or a better window design can pay off with a cooler kitchen and better overall air quality. Plus, modern low-E windows can vent heat when open and block heat when closed, the best of both worlds.
3. Install a Window Fan (and Consider a Ceiling Fan)
When passive airflow from open windows isn’t enough, it might be time to bring in some mechanical help. Installing a window fan is an affordable, DIY-friendly way to actively exhaust hot air from your kitchen. These fans are designed to fit right into a window frame and either pull fresh air in or push air out. By setting a window fan to exhaust mode, you can suck the hot, humid air out of your kitchen and vent it directly outside. This can provide quick relief, especially if you don’t have a built-in range hood or if your existing hood isn’t vented outdoors. In fact, one HVAC pro advises: “If you can’t upgrade the range hood, add a simple window exhaust fan near your stove, and you’ll feel the difference right away.” Even a small 9- or 10-inch window fan can make a noticeable impact by continuously drawing out the warmth and steam that accumulate while you cook.
To maximize the effect, you can use two window fans in different windows, one set to exhaust air out (in the hot kitchen) and another in a cooler area of the house set to bring fresh air inhomedepot.com. This one-two punch will actively pull in cooler air to replace the hot air being expelled, effectively boosting that cross-breeze we discussed. If you only have one fan, focus on blowing the hot air out; the incoming cooler air will find its way in through other cracks or vents. Just be sure to secure the fan and seal any gaps around it (many window fans come with extender panels) to maintain efficiency and keep bugs out.
In addition to window fans, an indoor ceiling fan can also help circulate air and keep a kitchen more comfortable. If your kitchen (or adjacent dining area) has a ceiling fan, use it to your advantage. In summer mode, set the ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise (as you look up at it) so it pushes air downward. The moving air won’t actually lower the room’s temperature, but it will create a cooling wind-chill effect on your skin, making you feel a few degrees cooler. You can stand under the fan while chopping veggies or have it keep guests comfortable if your kitchen opens to an eating area. Conversely, some homeowners find that running the ceiling fan in reverse (clockwise) draws hot air upward, which can help if your ceilings are high or if you want to pull heat up and away from the cooking zone. Both approaches have merit: blowing air down gives immediate personal cooling, while pulling air up can slightly reduce the heat that lingers near the floor. According to home improvement experts, in general you use the counterclockwise (downdraft) in summer and the clockwise (updraft) in winter to circulate warm airconstellation.com, but feel free to experiment in the kitchen to see which fan direction keeps you most comfortable while cooking.
MGS Pro Tip: Ensure any fan (window or ceiling) is installed safely and correctly. A window fan should be fitted snugly so it doesn’t fall out or let rain in; if you’re not sure how to install one without damaging your window frame or finishes, consult a professional. MGS Contracting Services can advise on the best fan options for your window size and can even hard-wire a wall exhaust fan or install a ceiling fan in your kitchen if appropriate. We always prioritize balancing functionality with your kitchen’s aesthetics, for instance, hiding fan cords, using tasteful fan designs, and maintaining your window’s insulation when the fan isn’t in use. Used in tandem with natural ventilation, a good exhaust or ceiling fan setup will significantly improve your kitchen’s air circulation and help sweep out the heat on those cooking marathons.
Section 2: Use Cooling Equipment
4. Set Up a Portable Air Conditioner
If ventilation alone isn’t keeping your kitchen cool, especially during heat waves, it might be time to bring in some extra cooling power. A portable air conditioner or a window AC unit can provide immediate relief in a hot kitchen. Unlike a fan (which just moves air around), an air conditioner actually removes heat from the air. Portable and window AC units are great because you can deploy them as needed, say, during an intense summer cooking session, and then turn them off when you’re done. “Installing a window AC unit is simple enough for many people and quite effective,” notes one cooling expert. Even a compact window AC can quickly bring down the temperature in a stuffy kitchen by blowing in chilled air while sucking hot air out. If a window unit isn’t feasible, a floor portable AC on wheels can be used; just vent its exhaust hose out a window or sliding door using the included kit.
Important: Always vent your portable AC properly to the outside. These units work by pulling heat from the room’s air and that hot air must be expelled, usually through a hose out the window. If you don’t vent it and simply run the AC in a closed room, you’ll be recycling warm air indoors and canceling out most of the cooling effect. In fact, an improperly vented AC can actually increase the overall room temperature due to the heat from the compressor and motor. So be sure to follow the instructions to vent all that hot air outdoors. Most portable ACs come with easy window adapter kits to seal the opening around the hose. Use them, your kitchen will thank you.
For a more temporary cooling hack, you can try a DIY evaporative cooler: set a bowl of ice or a frozen ice pack in front of a regular fan to blow chilled, moist air around. This trick isn’t as powerful as an AC (and it adds humidity), but it can provide a small cooling boost if you’re in a pinch without AC. There are also evaporative coolers (“swamp coolers”) you can buy, which use water evaporation to cool the air. These work best in dry climates, if your environment isn’t too humid, an evaporative cooler can drop the temperature a few degrees with much less electricity than an AC. Just remember, they need good ventilation to carry out the damp hot air and bring in fresh air.
In the long run, if your kitchen is consistently unbearable, you might consider a more permanent cooling solution. During a remodel, MGS Contracting Services can explore options like extending your central AC ducts to add an extra vent in the kitchen, upgrading to a more powerful or energy-efficient HVAC system, or even installing a mini-split air conditioner dedicated to the kitchen. Mini-splits are ductless units that mount on the wall and can cool (or heat) a specific zone very efficiently, ideal for hot spots like kitchens. They require professional installation, but they allow you to precisely control the climate in the kitchen without overcooling the rest of the house. We can also improve the kitchen’s insulation and weather-stripping (around doors, windows, can lights, etc.) during a renovation to help keep the cool air in and the hot air out. The bottom line is: if you need strong cooling, don’t suffer, there are plenty of AC solutions, both portable and permanent, that can turn your roasting kitchen into a comfortable cooking haven.
5. Use a Portable Dehumidifier
Often, what makes a kitchen feel “sweltering” isn’t just the temperature, it’s the humidity. Boiling pasta, simmering soups, running the dishwasher, even brewing coffee, all these activities release a lot of moisture into your kitchen air in the form of steam. When the kitchen’s humidity rises, the air feels heavy and your body’s natural cooling (sweating) doesn’t work as well because the moisture doesn’t evaporate off your skin. The result? Everything feels several degrees hotter than it actually is. That’s why a 85°F humid kitchen feels far worse than a dry 85°F.
A portable dehumidifier is a great tool to combat this. It’s essentially an appliance that pulls moisture out of the air, collecting the water in a tank or draining it away, and returns drier air back into the room. By reducing the humidity, your skin can cool itself more efficiently and the space feels less like a sauna. In fact, running a small dehumidifier in the kitchen while cooking can make the air feel “several degrees cooler without touching the thermostat,” according to experts. You might be surprised by how much water a dehumidifier can pull out of a steamy kitchen in just an hour, it’s not unusual to collect a pint or two of water after cooking a big meal or running the dishwasher.
To use a dehumidifier effectively, close the kitchen off from the very humid sources (for example, keep the dishwasher closed while it’s running its steam cycle, and put lids on boiling pots when possible, this not only traps heat, cooking your food faster, but also traps the steam). Turn on the dehumidifier at the start of cooking and let it run for a little while even after you’re done, to continue drying the air. Most portable units let you set a target humidity (around 40–50% RH is comfortable). Remember to empty the water tank when it gets full, or hook up the continuous drain hose if provided so it can drain into a sink.
Not only does drier air feel cooler, it can also prevent issues like condensation, mildew, or warped wood cabinets that can occur in an overly humid kitchen. It’s a win-win for comfort and home maintenance. MGS Contracting Services can help you choose the right capacity dehumidifier for your space, they come in various sizes (often rated by pints of water removed per day). A larger kitchen or open-concept area might need a 30-50 pint/day unit, whereas a small enclosed kitchen could do with a compact unit. We can also advise on where to place it for best results (usually central is best, or wherever moisture tends to linger). While a dehumidifier doesn’t lower the air temperature directly, by drying the air it can make an 80°F kitchen feel more like 80°F instead of 90°F, if that makes sense. Pair it with some ventilation or fan use, and you’ll notice a much cooler atmosphere next time you’ve got multiple pots boiling for dinner.
Section 3: Reduce Heat Creation
6. Reposition Poorly Placed Appliances
Sometimes the key to a cooler kitchen lies in how the kitchen is arranged. Your kitchen’s layout might inadvertently be causing excess heat buildup. A classic example is the placement of your refrigerator relative to your oven or range. If the fridge and oven are directly adjacent (or other high-heat appliances clustered together), you’ve got a recipe for an unnecessarily hot corner. The oven radiates heat every time it’s on, which warms the fridge next to it, making the fridge’s compressor work overtime to keep things cold. Meanwhile, the fridge exhausts hot air (from its cooling coils) which then makes the area around the oven even warmer. It’s a one-two punch of heat that can raise the ambient temperature and force both appliances to consume more energy. “If your refrigerator and oven are right next to each other, try to reposition them so they are apart,” suggests one HVAC professional, “It will force both appliances to work harder, therefore contributing to the heat in the kitchen.” In other words, separating those big heat producers will prevent them from exacerbating each other’s heat output.
Take a look at your kitchen layout: Are there appliances that could be generating a lot of heat in one concentrated area? Common culprits besides the oven and fridge pairing include: a wall oven next to a wine cooler or fridge, a clothes dryer (if in a utility closet near the kitchen) running and warming nearby walls, or even a microwave or toaster oven that’s tucked in a tight cabinet space without airflow. Ensure there’s breathing room around appliances that get hot. For example, if you can’t move the refrigerator far from the oven, at least put a cabinet or vertical panel between them to act as a buffer. Even a few extra inches of space or some added insulation can help. Make sure the refrigerator’s coils (typically at the back or bottom) have ventilation space and aren’t flush against a heat source.
When you rearrange or remodel, aim to distribute appliances so that one zone isn’t doing all the heating. Perhaps the oven can be on a different wall than the refrigerator, or the dishwasher (which emits heat during drying cycles) is not immediately beside the fridge either. In many modern kitchens, the solution might be as easy as rolling your portable dishwasher away or swapping the position of two appliances. In more involved cases, you might relocate the oven or fridge to a new spot during a renovation. MGS Contracting Services often helps homeowners reconfigure their kitchen layouts for better workflow and better thermal management. Our design team will ensure that your high-power appliances are placed optimally, not only for convenience but also to minimize heat concentration. For instance, if you’re doing a full remodel, we might design a cabinet “landing area” or a small pantry cabinet between the stove and fridge, or even move one of them to a different wall entirely. The result is a kitchen that not only looks and functions better, but also doesn’t trap heat in one spot. Remember, a cooler appliance runs more efficiently and lasts longer, and a cooler kitchen is a happier place to be.
7. Reduce Oven and Stove Use
This tip is straightforward: if using the oven and stove makes your kitchen hot, then try to use them less often, or for shorter durations. Ovens and stovetops are by far the biggest heat producers in a kitchen (after all, an oven can reach 350°F+ and stovetop burners hundreds of degrees). That heat doesn’t all stay confined to the pot or pan, much of it radiates into your kitchen. So, any steps you take to cook more efficiently or with alternative methods will directly reduce the heat buildup.
Cook smarter, not harder: Whenever possible, use smaller countertop appliances or lower-heat cooking methods. For example, an air fryer, toaster oven, or electric countertop oven can handle many tasks that a full-size oven does, but they use a fraction of the energy and produce far less ambient heat. As one expert noted, using a small appliance instead of the main oven “reduces heat output at the source”, meaning less heat is released into the room. Baking a tray of cookies or roasting a chicken in a toaster oven will generally warm your kitchen significantly less than firing up a big conventional oven. Similarly, reheating leftovers or steaming veggies in the microwave generates almost no extra room heat compared to using a stove burner, and microwaves are much more energy-efficient for small portionsentergy.com. According to energy experts, microwave ovens use significantly less energy (and thus throw off less excess heat) than stovetops or ovens for cooking or reheating suitable foodsentergy.com. So take advantage of that for quick meals.
Consider no-cook and low-cook meals during heat waves. Could you have a hearty salad, a cold sandwich spread, or use a slow cooker (which gives off minimal heat) instead of boiling pasta on the stove? Even scheduling a weekly “no-cook night” or grilling night can give your kitchen a much-needed cooldown period. Many families do “takeout Fridays” or “salad Saturdays” in the summer, not just for variety but to avoid slaving over a hot stove in an already hot house. If you must use the stovetop, try to keep lids on pots (it makes food cook faster and keeps steam containedentergy.com) and use the right sized burner for each pot to avoid wasting heat that just escapes into the airentergy.com.
Another tip: batch your baking or roasting. If you need to use the oven, see if you can cook multiple dishes in one go (something many of us do around holidays). It’s more efficient to run one hot oven for an hour with two dishes inside than to run the oven twice on different occasions. And if your oven has a convection setting, use it, convection cooks faster and more evenly by circulating hot air, potentially letting you set a lower temperature or shorter time, which means less total heat released.
One more idea is to cook during cooler times of the day. In summer, using the oven in the early morning or late evening when the house is cooler can reduce how miserable it feels (and your AC won’t have to fight both the midday sun and the oven at the same time). You can bake something at night and simply reheat portions in the microwave the next day.
Finally, remember that outdoor cooking is an excellent alternative, which brings us to our next point in controlling heat sources. If it’s too hot inside, move the party outside!
Section 4: Control Heat Sources
8. Block Direct Sunlight
External heat gain through windows can make even an idle kitchen (no cooking) feel like an oven. If your kitchen gets a lot of direct sun, especially in the afternoon or early evening, that sunlight could be raising the room’s temperature by several degrees all by itself. “You might be surprised how much heat comes in through glass windows,” one HVAC pro noted. Think of your kitchen like a greenhouse: sunlight streams in and warms up the interior surfaces, floors, and air. That’s great in winter, perhaps, but in summer it’s exactly what you don’t want.
The fix is to block or reflect the sun before it turns your kitchen into a sauna. During the hottest parts of the day, cover your kitchen windows with sun-blocking materials. The simplest solution is to use thick curtains or blinds, ideally with a white or reflective backing facing the window. Blackout curtains, for instance, are designed to block sunlight and often have thermal insulating properties to keep heat out (or in, in winter). Even light-colored roller shades or mini-blinds can bounce a lot of the sun’s rays back out the window. The key is to prevent direct beams of sunlight from hitting your counters, floor, and walls. If you don’t want to lose all the natural light, consider light-filtering shades that are bright in color (to reflect heat) but still let some glow through, you’ll get daylight without so much of the infrared heat. There are also thermal window treatments that claim to reduce heat gain while not darkening the room completely.
Another highly effective option is applying reflective window film on your kitchen windows. These thin plastic films adhere to the glass (some are DIY, some professional install) and can dramatically cut down solar heat gain by reflecting a portion of the sunlight. For example, certain heat-control window films can block up to ~70% of the sun’s heat entering through the glass. Many films are nearly invisible or have a slight tint/mirror effect, like the “one-way mirror” look you see on some windows. This can be great for keeping your view and daylight while reducing the oven effect. Even a removable aluminum foil or reflective bubble insulation pressed into the window for the summer can work in a pinch (as mentioned by the expert, literally putting foil on a sun-facing window will reflect heat significantly, though it’s not the prettiest solution!).
Don’t forget about skylights if you have them, they can act like magnifying glasses for sunlight. Use shades or covers for skylights in the summer to cut down on heat entry. Also, check for any gaps or poor seals in your window frames; hot air can infiltrate through leaky windows. Weather-stripping and caulking can help ensure you’re not unintentionally letting hot air seep in around the edges.
In the longer term, investing in energy-efficient windows can make a world of difference. Modern double or triple-pane windows with Low-E (low-emissivity) coatings are designed to reduce solar heat gain (as well as prevent heat loss in winter). Low-E coatings are microscopically thin metallic layers on the glass that reflect infrared heat. During a remodel, MGS Contracting Services often installs Low-E, argon-filled insulated windows in kitchens and other bright rooms. These windows let plenty of light in but significantly cut down the radiant heat transfer, keeping your space much cooler in summer. They also block the majority of UV rays, which protects your cabinetry and furnishings from fading. While window upgrades are an investment, they improve comfort year-round and can lower your cooling bills, all while making your kitchen look updated and beautiful. And of course, pairing new windows with attractive heat-blocking window treatments gives you a double defense against the heat.
So, whether it’s as simple as drawing the curtains at noon or as involved as adding window film or new windows, make sure to tame that sunlight. Your AC (and your sweating brow) will feel the difference when those intense rays are kept at bay.
9. Cook Outdoors When Possible
One of the best ways to keep your kitchen cool is to avoid using the kitchen for cooking on the hottest days! If you have a grill or outdoor cooking setup, take advantage of it. Every degree of heat (and bit of smoke or steam) you generate outside is a degree that doesn’t end up in your kitchen’s air. So, plan to cook al fresco whenever practical, especially during a heat wave or if you don’t have air conditioning in the kitchen.
Firing up the backyard grill is an obvious choice. Grilling burgers, steaks, veggies, or seafood is a warm-weather tradition that also saves your kitchen from overheating. But even beyond classic grilling, many modern grills and outdoor cooking stations are surprisingly versatile. “Many modern grills have side burners that can be used for pots and pans,” an expert points out. That means you can boil corn, sauté onions, or heat a sauce outdoors right next to your grill. There are also grill-top accessories like griddles, pizza stones, wok attachments, etc., that allow you to bake, stir-fry, or cook almost anything outside. Camp stoves or propane burners can similarly be used on a deck or patio (in a safe, ventilated area) for tasks like frying or boiling. And let’s not forget the joy of using a smoker, a brick oven, or even an outdoor deep fryer if you’re an enthusiast, all of which keep the heat out of the house.
By shifting a couple of your weekly meals to the porch or backyard, you’ll dramatically reduce the cumulative heat inside. For example, if you grill or have a cool meal outside on a Tuesday and Thursday, that’s two evenings your kitchen stays cool and your AC doesn’t have to fight your stove. Plus, cooking outside can turn dinner into a more social, fun event, family and guests can relax outside with you instead of crowding into a hot kitchen. You might even find you enjoy those evenings more, and it gives your kitchen appliances a break too.
Many of our clients at MGS Contracting Services have been incorporating outdoor living spaces into their home upgrades. Outdoor kitchens, complete with built-in grills, counter space, maybe a mini-fridge or sink, are increasingly popular. Not only do they provide a great entertainment area, they also serve the practical purpose of keeping cooking heat outside. During a remodel, we can help design an outdoor kitchen or simple grilling deck that complements your indoor kitchen. Even something as modest as a covered patio with a seating area and a quality grill can extend your living space and reduce reliance on the indoor stove when it’s blazing hot. If you already have an outdoor grill, consider enhancing the area with a prep table or outdoor cart, that way you can do more steps of the cooking outside (chopping, marinating, etc.) rather than in your indoor kitchen.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to barbecue every single meal. Even occasional outdoor cooking will help. Perhaps aim for one or two nights a week, as The Spruce article suggests, to give your kitchen a rest. Think of it this way: every time you decide to grill, you’re essentially turning off a giant “heater” (your stove/oven) inside your house and using one outside instead. The difference in your home’s comfort will be noticeable. So, dust off those grill tools, stock up on propane or charcoal, and enjoy some fresh-air feasting, your kitchen will stay cooler, and you might just make some delicious summer memories in the process!
10. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution and you’re open to upgrading your appliances, switching to energy-efficient models can help keep your kitchen cooler (and save you money in the long run). Here’s why: older or lower-end appliances tend to waste a lot of energy, and wasted energy usually means excess heat output. Newer Energy Star-rated refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, etc., are designed to use less electricity/gas to do the same job, which inherently means they give off less unwanted heat while running. It’s a subtle effect for some appliances, but in aggregate it adds up.
Take your stove/cooktop for example. Traditional electric coil or gas burners release a ton of heat into the air (if you’ve ever stood next to a gas stove, you know the ambient heat can be intense). In fact, gas stoves only transfer about 32% of their heat energy to the food/cookware; roughly 68% of the heat is just dispersed into the kitchen air. That’s why your kitchen gets so warm when multiple burners are on, most of that heat is not going into the pot, it’s heating your room! Now consider an induction cooktop: induction technology directly heats the pot via magnetism and is about 85% efficient at energy transfer. That means far less extra heat leaking into the kitchen. One article noted that you “basically don’t feel the same ambient heat while working over the [induction] stove” compared to gas, which makes cooking much more comfortable on hot days. Induction stoves also cook faster, so your heat source is on for a shorter time overall, further reducing heat buildup. Plus, the surface of an induction cooktop doesn’t get as scorchingly hot (only the pan does), so there’s less residual heat after you’re done. It’s a double win for efficiency and heat reduction.
Energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers often have better insulation and more efficient compressors, meaning they run cooler and expel less warm air. An old fridge might throw a lot of warm air out the back as it runs, whereas a modern one will be better at keeping that heat contained or minimizing it with smarter cycles. Likewise, an efficient dishwasher typically has better internal insulation and perhaps uses condensing drying technology (instead of an exposed heating element for drying), so it doesn’t crank your kitchen’s humidity and temperature as much when running a hot cycle. Even efficient lighting (like LED under-cabinet lights instead of old incandescent bulbs) can cut down on heat. Old bulbs actually give off quite a bit of heat; switching to LEDs eliminates that small heat source (and as a bonus, LEDs won’t bake your chocolate if you store it in a cabinet under a light!).
Beyond just feeling cooler, these upgrades will reduce your home’s overall energy consumption. That means your air conditioner has less work to do removing appliance-generated heat, and you’ll likely see lower utility bills. It’s a longer-term strategy, of course, not as immediate as opening a window, but if you’re planning to replace appliances anyway, it’s a factor worth considering. The next time you shop for a stove or fridge, look at the EnergyGuide labels and Energy Star ratings. Induction ranges, for instance, not only cut waste heat but also are often safer (no open flame) and easier to clean, lots of benefits besides just keeping cool.
MGS Contracting Services can guide you in selecting appliance upgrades during a kitchen renovation. We stay up-to-date on the latest in kitchen tech and can recommend models that suit your cooking habits, design preferences, and efficiency goals. Whether it’s an induction cooktop, a convection wall oven, or a high-efficiency ventilation system, we ensure that any new installation is done seamlessly and fits with the rest of your kitchen design. We often remind homeowners that modernizing appliances can add to resale value as well, not only will you enjoy a cooler, more efficient kitchen now, but buyers appreciate these features too. And don’t forget smaller appliances: if you love toast and tea in the morning, an efficient toaster or electric kettle uses less energy (hence emitting less heat) than older models, and they do the job faster.
In summary, when you reduce the energy waste in your kitchen, you reduce the waste heat. So upgrading to smarter, energy-efficient appliances is a savvy way to indirectly but meaningfully keep your kitchen cooler. It’s like putting your kitchen on an “energy diet”, the leaner it runs, the cooler and greener it will be.
Conclusion
A hot kitchen isn’t just a minor annoyance, it can impact your daily life in more ways than one. Extreme heat and stuffiness in the kitchen can make cooking feel like a chore (nobody enjoys sweating over a stovetop), discourage your family or guests from gathering in what should be the heart of the home, and even affect your utility bills. Remember that any extra heat in your house means your air conditioner has to work harder to remove it, which can drive up energy costs. Over time, chronic heat and humidity can also put strain on your appliances and possibly warp or damage cabinets, flooring, and finishes.
The good news is that by applying some of the easy fixes outlined above, you can transform your kitchen into a cooler, more comfortable space. Many of these solutions are simple and low-cost, opening windows, using fans, adjusting cooking habits, and can be done right away. Others involve some investment or changes to your kitchen setup, but they bring significant benefits in both comfort and energy efficiency (for instance, installing a proper range hood, upgrading appliances, or improving insulation). Even small tweaks, like using a dehumidifier or shading a window, can yield a noticeable difference. And if you’re considering a kitchen remodel or upgrade, you have a perfect opportunity to incorporate cooling design elements, like better ventilation, optimized layout, outdoor cooking space, and efficient appliances, that permanently solve the hot kitchen problem.
At MGS Contracting Services, we believe the kitchen should be an enjoyable place year-round, not a room you dread entering in the summer. We have helped many homeowners implement these strategies, from quick fixes to full kitchen makeovers. The result is always the same: a kitchen that’s pleasant to cook in and conducive to family living, regardless of the weather or what’s on the stove.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen for comfort, efficiency, and style? Contact MGS Contracting Services today for a consultation and see how we can transform your space.