When temperatures start to drop, it feels natural to seal every gap and turn up the heat. However, letting in fresh air during winter has surprising benefits for both your health and your home.
In the 17th century, housebuilders started to incorporate sash windows into their designs, partly because they provided good ventilation. At the same time, they made homes vulnerable to draughts and heat loss. Today, millions of homes retain these features, often calling on the sash window repair services of companies like https://www.sashwindowpreservation.co.uk/services/sash-window-repair to make their ancient windows as draught-proof as possible. Nevertheless, here are some good reasons not to go overboard.
Old air
Closed windows trap stale air filled with moisture, dust and everyday pollutants. Without ventilation, condensation can form on cool surfaces, encouraging mould growth that leads to respiratory problems, fatigue and headaches. Opening windows for even a short period each day helps release this polluted air and replace it with clean oxygen, keeping the indoor environment fresher and healthier.
New air
Fresh air circulation also reduces the spread of viruses that linger in enclosed spaces. During the flu season, or when energy efficiency measures make homes more airtight, ventilation is even more important to maintain good air quality.
Striking a balance
Of course, you don’t want to lose all your warmth in the process. Combining short bursts of ventilation with effective insulation, draught proofing and modern double glazed windows can be a good compromise between comfort and health. By opening your windows for limited periods, you can enjoy a cleaner, safer home environment throughout the coldest months.
