Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Heating And Fresh Air.

(102 Posts)
Calendargirl Thu 09-Jan-25 13:10:16

I don’t have the heating on during the day if possible. I wear lots of layers.

I like to have the bedroom and bathroom windows open, even when it’s cold, to freshen things up and ‘change the air’.

What I want to ask, if you have the heating on during the day, do you have any windows open or not? If so, it would seem to defeat the object surely.

Just curious really.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 09-Jan-25 13:26:17

We have the heating on during the day, the bathroom windows are all on locked open as are the ones in our bedroom.

We close the bedroom one at night as well as the downstairs loo it not the bathrooms.

The only exception being if the wind is exceptionally strong, then all are closed.

silverlining48 Thu 09-Jan-25 13:43:16

If my heating is on the windows are not open. In winter
I sometimes open windows for a blow through for 10 minutes, then close them again.

Pittcity Thu 09-Jan-25 13:44:45

We have trickle vents on our windows which were put in when we had the house insulated. Just enough ventilation on a cold day. Extractor fans in kitchen and bathroom too. No open windows but still fresh and warm indoors.

kittylester Thu 09-Jan-25 13:48:12

The answer is to live in an old, draughty house.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 09-Jan-25 13:50:08

Pittcity

We have trickle vents on our windows which were put in when we had the house insulated. Just enough ventilation on a cold day. Extractor fans in kitchen and bathroom too. No open windows but still fresh and warm indoors.

Locked open is similar to trickle vents.

The trickle vents in kitchen, utility and bathrooms are always open regardless of weather.

Soozikinzi Thu 09-Jan-25 13:51:04

I read that if you open windows for 15 minutes that's enough for the dry air to get in so I do that . I dont know if others agree ? And we also have some trickle vents .

keepingquiet Thu 09-Jan-25 13:51:57

I open bedroom bathroom and kitchen windows if there is moisture present. I close them when it's gone, usually a couple of hours.

My heating is off from just before noon until tea time, but I don't open my windows then, except if I'm cooking in the kitchen, because my fan has broken!

Cossy Thu 09-Jan-25 13:52:30

silverlining48

If my heating is on the windows are not open. In winter
I sometimes open windows for a blow through for 10 minutes, then close them again.

This is exactly what we do

ayse Thu 09-Jan-25 13:53:46

We have vents in our one year old double glazing. If it’s very cold and windy I shut them in the day but open them at night. Most of the time they are open to provide a change of air. It works very well.

Katyj Thu 09-Jan-25 13:57:13

Exactly the same as GrannyGravy. I have to keep an eye though because DH closes them sometimes 😃

M0nica Thu 09-Jan-25 13:57:33

No windows open when the heating is on. We live in a large, very old house, which we have insulated as thoroughly as we can and are permitted to, as it is listed. This means full roof insulation, draft exclusion, sealed off chimneys, partial 'proper' double glazing, partial secondary double glazing, some internal wall insulation. We sleep with the bedroom door open at night so the bedroom does not get fusty.

Susan56 Thu 09-Jan-25 14:03:28

Same as GrannyGravy

Kim19 Thu 09-Jan-25 14:16:40

Always have the windows open for at least an hour each morning irrespective of heating being on or not. This was recommended to me by a scientist during covid and I've practised it ever since even though it goes against the grain in these current temperatures but I definitely feel safer.

tanith Thu 09-Jan-25 14:21:43

I have trickle vents and my heating is on but low during the day. I always open bathroom and bedroom windows daily for an hour to dry the bathroom and air the bed. I hate the house to be stuffy I’d rather put an extra jumper on for a while.

Jaxjacky Thu 09-Jan-25 14:23:14

Top bedroom window is open 24/7 all year round, heating on or not, but the bedroom radiators are on low and the heating isn’t on overnight, ever.

Norah Thu 09-Jan-25 14:25:07

We've 2 wood fireplaces, chimneys allow ventilation.

Bathroom windows are open. Sufficient.

fancythat Thu 09-Jan-25 14:36:04

I open windows a bit sometimes.

Because of a health issue, I have been measuring temperatures in rooms for some time.

Our house is heavily insulated, so that may be why, but it is surprising how little heat is lost when opening a window slightly.

Opening a patio door is however, a different matter.

For what it is worth, I bouth a £6 room temperature measuring thing.
Well worth the money, for the information it gives.

Cressida Thu 09-Jan-25 15:19:36

We have trickle vents and a trickle extractor fan so there is always fresh air being drawn through the house but not at a level to cause draughts.

RosiesMaw2 Thu 09-Jan-25 15:45:20

In Germany they regularly open their windows to exchange stale air with fresh air from outside, a practice known as lüften . The German government recommends this practice to reduce the risk of infection, and it's sometimes required in leases.
Here are some ways Germans open their windows:
Stoßlüften
A practice of opening windows for at least five minutes in the morning and evening to circulate air.
Querlüften
A practice of opening all windows in a house or apartment to cross ventilate.
Frische Luft
A German term that refers to fresh air. Office workers in Germany often open all windows in the morning and after lunch to let in fresh air.

Allira Thu 09-Jan-25 16:39:27

Pittcity

We have trickle vents on our windows which were put in when we had the house insulated. Just enough ventilation on a cold day. Extractor fans in kitchen and bathroom too. No open windows but still fresh and warm indoors.

We've got trickle vents in the kitchen, conservatory and leave the small bedroom window open during the day, almost closed at night.

Then I stood at the open front door waving goodbye to a visitor which let a blast of fresh air into the hall!

Allira Thu 09-Jan-25 16:41:05

Norah

We've 2 wood fireplaces, chimneys allow ventilation.

Bathroom windows are open. Sufficient.

Oh, we've got a chimney too, but no lit fire.

Barleyfields Thu 09-Jan-25 16:46:18

Oh dear! Our trickle vents and all windows are firmly closed during cold weather. The bathrooms and kitchen have extractor fans. The house is very well insulated and comfortable, the heating (individually thermostatically controlled in each room) is on 24/7 and there is no sign of mould or damp. We venture outside several times a day, every day.

Casdon Thu 09-Jan-25 16:47:42

My son sleeps with the window open slightly, however cold it is outside, but I’ve just got the vent open in my bedroom, as they are in the kitchen and the bathrooms. Our doors are always being opened and shut though to let the dog in and out so we are well ventilated.

Mogsmaw Thu 09-Jan-25 17:01:12

We open the windows wide for a short time everyday.
It rapidly lowers the humidity and does lower the temperature a bit. But, once the humidity is lowered, and the windows closed , the rooms rapidly heat up and are easier to heat and keep warm.
It does seem counterintuitive but it is very cost effective to give your home “a good airing”