Ventilate your house is one of the simplest and most powerful gestures to make it more very much. However, We rarely think that such a simple action can have such a big impact on our health..
By ventilating - correctly and efficiently- we improve indoor air quality y, consequently, our health and that of our entire family.
Did you know that indoor air can be 2 until 10 times more polluted than street air?
In fact, It is loaded with invisible particles and polluting agents that we do not see and, many times, we don't even perceive.
The good news is that there is something very simple—and within everyone's reach—that can radically change the quality of the air in your home.: ventilate well.
In this article you will discover how to do it effectively, When is it better to ventilate and what mistakes to avoid to transform your home into a healthier and more comfortable space.
Table of contents
Nuestra Newsletter
Sign up and you will receive an email with Reflections, Learning and experiences of my path like bioarchitecta and entrepreneur conscious. I accompany you to create a most consistent life, One more house healthy and a project with purpose.
We are already a community of thousands of people committed to better inhabiting this world, in harmony and with ourselves. Do you join?
Why is it important to ventilate
Let's see, first of all, why is it so important to ventilate. What happens when we ventilate our home? We're not just letting in fresh air, that also, but we are guaranteeing the availability of oxygen inside our home.
Y, at the same time, air exchange allows us prevent carbon dioxide buildup (CO₂) and other contaminants.
Ventilating also helps us regulate indoor humidity, which is very important to live healthy interiors and avoid the appearance of mold.
Of course, ventilate eliminates bad odors, that sometimes we only perceive as a “charged environment”, which is a sign that it is urgent to renew the indoor air.
And furthermore, Proper ventilation stops the proliferation of microorganisms - such as bacteria, mites, moho.
Ultimately, Ventilating is essential to make our house healthier and feel good when we are in it..
How to ventilate your house efficiently
Now that you know why ventilation is so important, the next question is: how to ventilate well? What happens when I live in a big city? And if I am going to do works or renovations, what options do I have?
We will start by looking at two types of ventilation: the natural (the one of all life) and the controlled. Then we will explain when to ventilate if you live in a large city with high pollution..
Natural ventilation: that of “all life”
It is what we do manually, opening the windows. But even here there are more and less efficient ways to do it..
Many times, we tend to ventilate when we first wake up in the morning, when it is also advisable to do it before going to sleep, to renew the air in our bedroom, where we will rest for the next few hours.
When possible, The key is to generate what is known as “cross ventilation”: This happens when I have two windows facing each other or in a corner with a minimum angle of 90 degrees and when opening both, the air is renewed quickly.
→ If you are looking for a house or building, this is what you have to take into account the most: that has cross ventilation.
It will always be more efficient to completely open the windows, taking into account that the appropriate time will depend on the time of year:
- – in winter, A few minutes are enough to renew the air (thermal contrast speeds up the process).
- – in summer, it is usually necessary to ventilate for a longer time to achieve the same effect.
If we want to measure air quality we can use a device that measures CO2, humidity and air quality... and it can give you an idea of when to ventilate and when the air inside your home has been renewed.
Controlled mechanical ventilation
More and more homes incorporate mechanical ventilation systems, that renew the air continuously without having to open windows, and also:
- – maintain the interior temperature
- – improve energy efficiency
- – ensure constant air quality
They are especially interesting when we build or renovate our house to make it healthier and we live in areas with cold winters., since it is a decision with a high positive impact on the quality of the air we breathe, interior comfort and humidity control.
Ventilate in large cities with pollution
In big cities, with high level of pollution, tall buildings and lots of traffic, When possible we can resort to mechanized ventilation with filters.
But if it is not possible for you, There is an atmospheric phenomenon that you can use to your advantage: the thermal inversion.
What is thermal inversion?It is an atmospheric phenomenon in which air temperature increases with altitude, instead of decreasing as normally happens
This creates a layer of warm air that traps cold air and pollutants near the ground., making it difficult to disperse
When this happens, it will be better to wait for ventilate mid-morning or when the sun has set. Avoid opening windows early in the morning and at dusk, when pollution is more concentrated.
When and where does thermal inversion occur??
It is more common in winter, especially in cities located in valleys or surrounded by mountains, like Madrid, Granada, Valladolid or Zaragoza. When there are cold nights and atmospheric stability (clear night), The Earth's surface cools very quickly and transmits that cold to the atmosphere closest to the ground..
This layer of air has a lower temperature than the one immediately above it., that is to say, both have different densities, what prevents them from combining. A layer of cold air forms that remains motionless above the ground and prevents atmospheric circulation..
How to identify it?
– If in the morning you see a layer of pollution or fog on the horizon.
- – If there is little or no breeze and the air feels thick.
- – If pollution levels are highest at dawn and dusk.
Give a new look to your Casa Sana project
If you are thinking about renovating or building your home, or you are an architect/interior designer/builder and want to make your projects healthier, ventilation is essential
Taking care of the air we breathe inside is part of a good project from the beginning and we encourage you to discover more in the Guide to the 7 Construction Decisions for a Healthy and Natural House.
