The Benefits Of Airing Out Your Home (And How Often You Should Do It)

Americans tend to spend a lot of time indoors (approximately 90% of the time, according to the EPA), and while some constantly have their windows open, others rarely touch them. Opening a window may especially seem like a bad idea when there are extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, outside. However, those who fail to open their windows regularly are missing out — airing out the home regularly comes with some big advantages that shouldn't be ignored. Health benefits are often highlighted when discussing ventilation in the home, since better ventilation can help reduce pollutants and improve a home's air quality. On top of these benefits, airing out your home also keeps it cleaner and can help it maintain a good temperature.

It's best to air out your home at least once a day, but you may even want to aim for a few times a day, if possible. Ideally, open the windows and air out your home for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. However, even five minutes a day can be helpful. Keep in mind that you may want to leave your windows open for even longer if you've been cooking or doing things around the home that involve a lot of moisture.

Even though it may seem like a simple habit to implement, airing out your home is well worth it and can help your home stay cleaner. Opening the windows regularly helps remove dust from the indoor areas, allowing it to be released outside, leading to cleaner floors, carpets, and other surfaces. It can also help reduce condensation, thereby preventing mold from entering your home. Moisture can cause significant property damage if left unchecked, but airing out your home regularly can help prevent it. 

Airing out your home can also help you save money on energy bills if done wisely and with the right timing. For example, opening your windows can help cool down your home naturally in the warmer months if you open them early in the morning when it's cooler outside. Then, be sure to close them up again once temperatures rise for the day. This reduces your reliance on your HVAC system and lets you pay less to utility companies each year.

Airing out your home isn't complicated, so you should have no problem doing it at least once or twice daily. All you really need to do is open your windows to let some fresh air in, while letting stale, indoor air move out. To air out your home more effectively, take the time to find the best ceiling fan for your space. Then, turn on your ceiling fan or direct portable fans outside to push air out of your home and keep it circulating. Turning on your kitchen's range hood or exhaust fan can also help, especially if you've been cooking. Also, don't forget about the doors in your home. Opening up your front and back doors, if appropriate and safe to do, can make it even easier for air to flow in and out.

The best times to air out your home are during the early morning or late at night. If you live in a busy area, there will be less outdoor traffic and pollution during these times of the day, so you'll be sure to bring fresher air in. It's always wise to air out your home if you've been inside for a significant period, since you'll be releasing more carbon monoxide into your house during this time. This is also why airing out your home in the morning is such a good idea — it allows you to get rid of the carbon monoxide that accumulated inside while you were sleeping.