Ventilate for Ten Minutes

Ventilating is necessary: it refreshes the air, reduces humidity, and eliminates that stuffy feeling. The question in autumn and winter is how to do it without the house getting cold for hours.

Short and Intense is Better Than Long and Half-Hearted

Opening windows wide for a short period quickly refreshes the air. Leaving them ajar for hours, however, can cool down walls, floors, and furniture, which then take longer to regain temperature.

How Long?

A common reference is about ten minutes, but it's not a fixed rule. It depends on:

• The outdoor temperature and wind.
• The humidity in the house (for example, after showering or cooking).
• The size of the room and how many windows it has.

How to Do It

• Open opposing windows if you can, to create a cross-breeze.
• Choose the warmest hours of the day in winter.
• Ventilate after cooking or drying clothes indoors.
• Close the doors of rooms you are not ventilating.

If You Have Mechanical Ventilation or Heating

Some homes have ventilation systems or appliances with their own recommendations. In that case, follow the instructions in their manual.

An Autumn Habit

Set a short timer for the first week, and you'll see it becomes automatic. It's a small habit for your routine, which you can complement by tracking your household expenses in Maurvia.