Is It a Good Idea to Open Windows for Fresh Air?

August 13, 2019 10:08 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Many air quality experts agree that it’s a good idea to let outside air circulate through your living spaces—but why? To answer this question, let’s take a look at the benefits of opening windows to let fresh air into your home.

Why you should open windows

When it’s cold outside, your instinct is to keep all the windows and exterior doors closed. Doing so keeps the cold air outside while maintaining a comfortable indoor air temperature. Closing the windows also saves money on energy costs. The downside, though, is it traps in air pollutants, and the reality is that the air outside is typically fresher than indoor air. To put it another way, your indoor air is often more polluted than the air outdoor outside.

Indoor air quality is considered one of the top environmental health concerns, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is why the experts suggest opening a window or two any time of the year to reduce indoor pollution. But where does all this indoor air pollution come from? The list of culprits includes air fresheners, building materials, furnishings, unvented stoves, paint, cleaning products, pesticides, furnace use and more. Some relatively common indoor air pollutants are even known to cause cancer.

No matter the time of year, the average person spends about 90 percent of their time indoors, so it’s important to attempt to reduce indoor air pollution. This is especially a must for households with sensitive individuals such as children and elderly people. Letting fresh air into your home is as simple as opening a window on good air quality days, even if only for a few minutes. It will reduce the concentration of indoor air pollutants in your home, which is something your central heating and air conditioning system cannot do.

Benefits of opening windows in Aspen, CO

Cool or warm, the outside air is fresher than the stuffy air trapped inside your house. Here’s how your mind, body and home can benefit from open windows:

  • Reduce air pollutants: As we mentioned in the section above, opening windows can rid your home of indoor pollutants and harmful toxins. With that in mind, throw open a couple windows while you’re at home, and let the fresh outdoor air circulate through to push out the compromised air.
  • Better-smelling home: Every house smells unique and different, but you don’t want yours to have a bad smell that people remember (or talk about to others). Another issue is stuffiness. Open your windows for short periods of time year-round to prevent stuffy air and to help the inside of your house smell cleaner and fresher.
  • Feel happier: Because fresh air can boost your mental wellbeing, be sure to bring as much fresh air inside as you can to feel happier. This same principle applies to dreary workplaces and educational facilities.

Is the air outside more fresh than your indoor air in Aspen, CO? Call the experts at HealthSafe Inspections Inc. today for an indoor air quality test!

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