It’s really cold outside… And warm at home. However, according to experts, you should give it a good airing from time to time. Why?
Even in winter, you should ventilate properly. And even 3-4 times a day. Air exchange in a heated room has several practical reasons. First, carbon dioxide accumulates in an unventilated space, which can cause you to feel tired, sleepy and have unpleasant headaches. Secondly, the air is heavy and often saturated with various smells and moisture from cooking… If you don’t do anything about it, mold may start to appear in your apartment.
Air exchange
“That’s why it’s better to ventilate from time to time and replace the heavy humid air with the “lighter” – dry one,” says one of the German scientists, adding that many people are afraid of ventilation because it will create a cold interior. In reality, however, ventilation will not endanger the temperature in the apartment, because the walls are overheated and will maintain the basic temperature. And one more good reason why you should ventilate… The rush of fresh air also reduces the amount of dust and allergens. So you will generally be able to breathe much better at home.
Air nova metoda
There are different ways to ventilate. But among the most effective methods of air exchange in the home is the so-called Lüften method, or German intensive ventilation. What is it about? “More or less a short but very intense ventilation with open windows and doors to ensure that the air in the apartment is exchanged,” explains the expert, adding that ventilation is always recommended after waking up in the morning, cooking or showering. In this category, there are two proven ways that you can properly ventilate.
Shock ventilation
The Germans call him Stoßlüften. The point is that you open the windows wide twice a day and let them “air out” properly. In summer, the recommended ventilation interval is roughly 30 minutes, in spring and autumn – when it is noticeably colder – a quarter of an hour is calculated… And in winter? That’s enough “speed” in the form of a five-minute video. But even in this short time, it is possible to ventilate quite well so that the home is “breathable” and there is no risk of mold.
Cross ventilation
Another way to bring home some oxygen (and get rid of nitrogen) is so-called cross ventilation. “This technique consists in opening the windows on opposite sides of the house or apartment so that a strong draft is created,” says the scientist. In this way, the air is exchanged even in several rooms. By the way, cross ventilation was also recommended by the British government during the covid era as a prevention against the possible spread of infections.
Heating to a minimum
If you are among the savers, you can mute or completely turn off the heating during ventilation. It often happens that when you open the window wide, the radiator starts to heat much more to compensate for the drop in temperature in the room. Therefore, avoid the fact that you “heat the Lord God in the windows” and pay for the heat that you ventilate in an instant.
