What are the differences between frequently opening windows for ventilation and not opening windows at all over time?

In winter, when the weather is cold, many people will choose to close the doors and windows and stay at home. But there are also people who insist on opening windows for ventilation every day no matter how cold it is. What are the differences between opening windows for ventilation frequently and not liking to open windows over a long period of time?

It is not advisable to completely close the doors and windows in winter

If you close the doors and windows completely in winter, you are actually keeping the cold out of the windows while keeping the polluted air inside the house.

Experiments have shown that if three people are allowed to stay in a 10-square-meter room with doors and windows closed at the same time, the temperature in the room will rise after three hours, and the amount of carbon dioxide, bacteria and dust will increase.

Inhaling such air for a long time can cause headaches, dizziness, mental depression, poor sleep quality and other symptoms at the mildest, and induce or aggravate coronary heart disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other cardiopulmonary diseases at the worst, which is very harmful to health. Opening windows for ventilation when the weather is clear is the best and most effective way to increase the oxygen content in indoor air.

There are many benefits to opening windows for ventilation

▲ Reduce the risk of depression

The study showed that compared with elderly people who did not open windows for ventilation, opening windows for ventilation more than 5 times a week was significantly associated with a 33% lower likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms in the elderly.

Among the elderly population in my country, there is a significant linear correlation between high-frequency window opening for ventilation and a reduced incidence of depressive symptoms in the elderly.

▲ The brain is more comfortable

Long-term lack of ventilation will lead to insufficient oxygen in the room. If you stay in such an environment for a long time, you are likely to suffer from dizziness, headaches, etc. due to lack of oxygen, and even cause other diseases.
Through ventilation, on the one hand, harmful, polluted air and various pathogenic factors are expelled outdoors, and on the other hand, more beneficial substances such as oxygen and negative ions can be obtained from the outdoors, improving the functions of the human immune system, respiratory system and central nervous system, and regulating the excitability of the cerebral cortex.

▲ Low risk of respiratory diseases

In winter, the air is relatively dry, and the mucous membranes of the human nasal cavity, throat, etc. lose moisture, and their defense ability is reduced, making them susceptible to infection by various pathogens. Opening windows regularly for ventilation and maintaining indoor air circulation can reduce the concentration of pathogens in the house, reduce the chance of contact between people and pathogens, and thus prevent the occurrence of diseases.

There are some things to pay attention to when opening windows for ventilation

▲ Open windows for ventilation at least twice a day

Opening windows for ventilation when the weather is fine and letting oxygen-rich air from outside into the room is the most effective way to increase the oxygen content in the indoor air. Open windows twice a day, between 9:00 and 11:00 and between 14:00 and 16:00, when there are relatively fewer vehicles and fewer air pollutants. Open windows for about 20 minutes each time.

In addition, it is best to open windows for ventilation on lower floors and avoid rush hours in the morning and evening, because exhaust gas emitted by cars during this period will deteriorate the air quality.

▲ Open the window for no less than 15 minutes each time

Each time you open the window for ventilation, the time should be no less than 15 minutes, 20-30 minutes is appropriate. If you only open the window a crack, the ventilation time needs to be increased to 30-60 minutes.

▲ Open the window smaller when the temperature is low

When there are many people indoors or during the cold season, you should open the windows for ventilation. If the temperature is low at this time, you can leave a little gap in the windows to ventilate without being too cold.

▲ Opening windows for ventilation is best for convection

The best ventilation method is to create convection, such as opening the farthest windows and doors in the home to allow flowing air to pass through the entire room.

Avoid being blown by the wind when sweating or wearing thin clothes in winter, as this can easily cause a cold. Do not let the indoor temperature drop below 16°C due to opening windows, and the room temperature should be controlled between 18 and 23°C.