This is supposed to reduce condensation, drive out stale air, invigorate you, and generally improve your health.
Well, it may be the done thing in Scandinavia, Germany, and other European countries, but the British are having none of it.
I don't want to open my windows in mid-January and let in freezing cold air, thank you very much. Apart from the huge waste of central heating, I'm sceptical about the supposed health benefits.
I've never had a major illness in all the 17 years I've lived in this house. I've hardly ever had a cold or flu either. So I'm keeping my windows firmly closed in winter's plummeting temperatures.
Jenny agrees entirely, especially as she tends to feel the cold more than I do.
Interestingly, all those articles telling us how to improve our health never mention flinging the windows open twice a day. Even the health gurus aren't convinced it's a good idea.
No thank you. I pay exorbitant heating bills to keep the cold out!
ReplyDeleteSandra: Indeed. And it's hard enough keeping warm even with the windows closed!
DeleteI think if you left the window closed and stepped outside twice a day for a cigarette you would get just as much fresh air, and have a healthy red glow to your cheeks, too!
ReplyDeleteSean: Well spotted! Or in our case popping in to the convenience store a few yards down the road (neither of us are smokers).
DeleteOur windows remain closed during the winter months, but of course are opened (there are screens) in nicer weather. My husband always needs to have a window cracked open overnight as he claims it helps him sleep better. Thankfully, he does close it when the weather is nasty outdoors.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: I'm glad he closes the window when the weather is nasty!
DeleteI just learned of this last week. They call it 'house burping.' It's not something we do as it's been below freezing here for so long.
ReplyDeleteWhy burping? It's not burping, more like inhalation.
DeleteWe rarely open our windows. When the weather is nice the allergens are out.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: I hadn't thought of allergens. Good point.
DeleteThere is a school of thought that says opening the windows allows trapped moisture out and drier means warmer.
ReplyDeletei guess the truth of it depends on all the variables: outside temp and humidity, inside temp and humidity, how much air flow is actually achieved, etc.
I really, really like to keep the air moving so we have open doors and windows most of the year, even winter.
Kylie: Of course your winter is a lot milder than a British winter, so that's fair enough.
DeleteI'm currently unable to reply to comments due to a Blogger fault. Hopefully I'll be able to reply later on.
ReplyDeleteFault now remedied, Saturday morning. That was a quick fix.
DeleteI am having the same issue with replies, Nick. Hopefully it's rectified soon.
ReplyDeleteFixed!
DeleteI cannot reply to comments on my blog but I can post comments on everyone else's blog. Hopefully the problem is fixed soon.
ReplyDeleteFixed!
DeleteYes, looks like they finally fixed it.
DeleteNick, I can not imagine one minute to live with always closed windows, you are breathing the same air all the time and how are you managing the kitchen and bathroom. We have very low temperatures this winter minus 14 at night and minus 8 the day but opening the windows 3 times a day is the rule. Well our windows open into a big garden and the air is fresh and pure. I cannot imagine a bedroom being with ckosed windows all the time. But it seems that in UK most people do it like you.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: Regular year-round window-opening just isn't a thing in the UK, I don't know anyone who does that. I'm not sure you'd be getting fresh air either, there's massive air pollution in big cities. Our kitchen and bathroom are fine, we have a dehumidifier.
DeleteIt's the way you are used to, but I'm not convinced . We live in an area of Berlin with seas and woods around and nearly no traffic, so the air is of very good quality.
DeleteHannah
Hannah: Yes, the air quality where you are is probably fairly healthy.
Delete