Why You Should Open A Window During Winter?
Keeping windows closed during winter months may provide warmth and save on household energy use, but it also traps in pollutants. The simple act of opening a window—even in cold weather—can reduce this pollution.
In fact, opening a window for at least five minutes a day should be enough to decrease the concentration of indoor air pollutants. Most home heating and cooling systems, including forced air heating systems, do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house, so manual really is the way to go.
If you’re wondering where all of this indoor air pollution comes from, it’s a long list of offenders that includes building materials, furnishings, air fresheners, unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, paints, cleaning products, personal care products, pesticides, and more.
3 Benefits of Airing Out Your Home
Reduces Indoor Air Pollution
The air you breathe inside can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Common contributors to poor indoor air quality include…
- Formaldehyde
- Dander
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds
The list goes on, but the main thing is that exposure to these pollutants can negatively impact your health. They can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
Simply opening the windows will help clear out your home of these airborne contaminants. For best results, open a window or door on each side of the house for a cleansing cross breeze.
Helps You Think Better
Fresh air is a brain booster. It’s science! A study conducted by the University of Tulsa found that proper ventilation was key to improving academic performance. Researchers observed test scores among fifth-grade students improved dramatically in conjunction with the amount of outdoor air being introduced into classrooms.
In addition, a growing body of research suggests that indoor air quality and thermal comfort are leading factors in employee productivity.
Banishes Odors
Battening down the hatches for winter allows odors to build up. The nasty smells from trash, musty bathrooms, dirty laundry, and other funks have nowhere to go when your house is sealed.
Air out your home to invite in winter scents, such as fresh rain, budding flowers, juniper, and, if you live near the ocean, crisp saltwater air.