Ventilation

Various scientific studies have shown that adequately ventilating your home is better for your health, for the many reasons explained here. So how do you get the ventilation/heat loss balance right to help prevent respiratory problems and stay healthy?

Ventilate your home, it’s good for you!

Regularly changing the air in your home will keep you in good health, as it will:

• Remove condensation, moisture, odours, and pollutants that build up in your home
• Help prevent mould growth - remember to tell us as soon as possible if you're concerned about damp, mould or condensation in your home
• Create a better, fresher living environment
• Reduce damage to your belongings and the structure of your home caused by the effects of condensation

Without good ventilation, there will be more substances in the air that can cause harm to you and your family. These include pollutants from cooking, cleaning products, hygiene products, and fabric furnishings.

Tips for achieving the right ventilation in your home

• Always leave trickle vents open and unblocked, even in winter. You will use a little more energy to heat your home, but you'll have fresh air to help prevent illnesses
• Where possible leave doors between rooms open (not during or after bathing/showering or whilst cooking), to ensure cross-ventilation. This will further improve the amount of fresh air drawn into and around your home. Remember though not to prop open fire doors
• Regularly clean any extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens and ensure these are used on the correct settings and switched on when needed - even better if your fan has a humidistat that automatically turns itself on and off as moisture increases and falls
• Check the manufacturer's instructions for any whole house mechanical ventilation system you have and ensure the filters are replaced in line with those instructions, usually this will be annually

Ventilation FAQs

Q: How often should I ventilate my home?
A: We suggest you open the windows for at least five minutes each day, but ideally for 15-20 minutes daily. This amount of ventilation significantly improves indoor air quality. For a strong ventilation, open the front and back door, along with any windows in between.

You need to be aware of security issues, so don’t leave windows open when the home is unoccupied.

Q: How do you ventilate without losing heat?
A: If you open the windows for 15 minutes just before you go to work or go out in the morning, and again in the evening or before putting the heating on, you will be getting the ventilation/heat loss balance about right.

Remember, when moisture vapour is at high levels - such as when showering/bathing or cooking - open the windows.

Q: Does dry air heat faster than humid air?
A: Water has more thermal mass than air - in other words, it can store more heat. This same concept applies to heating air – it takes more energy to heat moisture than dry air, so get rid of the moist air by opening windows and then heat the fresh air.

Remember:

• High levels of humidity are damaging to your health - and your pocket
• High humidity makes a space feel cooler
• Ventilating your home will help to keep you healthy.