As usual, there are two sides to every story. One question that meets that criteria is whether or not to open your windows.
On the plus side comments include:
- It helps to remove those toxins released from our furniture, our cabinets, our carpets. If we don’t open our windows every so often, they stick around.
- The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that people spend 90% of their time indoors, but that indoor air quality can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Indoor air pollution can threaten the health — and the lives — of everyone in your family.
- It makes you feel good; call it Zen or whatever, but outdoor air “feels” better.
On the negative side comments include:
- The outdoor air may not be as fresh as your indoor air.
- The humidity from the outdoor air may provide a source for mold in your home.
- It is inefficient, making your heater or air conditioning work harder.
Below are links to articles for and against opening the windows. My strategy is that if the weather allows I open the windows. I sleep better and feel better. In my neighborhood, I am sure it brings dust and pollen into the house for me to clean, but I think it is worth the effort.
For:
Open a Window – Let Natural Light and Fresh Air Indoors
How to Purify the Air in Your Home
A Simpler Life Series: Letting in the Air
Against:
10 Reasons to Think Twice About Letting Fresh Air Into Your Home
How to Get the Ventilation That You Need in Your House
Great recommendation. I agree ventilation is important, but security your property is equally important! Thank you for sharing.
We use the ventilation units of Duco, which is a Belgian Brand. Excellent quality, very sustainable and with a big ventilation potential. Of course you need to ventilate your rooms regularly, modern life and modern materials produces too much indoor polution. The additional advantage of using ventilation units is that it keeps the thiefs out. If you open your windows and leave the house you will give thieves free space, and with ventilation units you do not have that additional risk. Just to keep in mind.