Proper ventilation in winter – How to avoid mould

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Shock ventilation is important, even if it is very cold outside – but it is enough to open the window briefly.

In winter, we are always faced with a dilemma: the apartment should be nice and warm, but without ventilation, there is a risk of mould and bad air. To prevent this, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Mould can form quickly in apartments in winter. The low temperatures cool down the outside walls, and the moisture in the warm room air condenses on the cold wall – a tasty breeding ground for mould. This can be counteracted by proper ventilation.

Generally, it would be best if you opened the windows two to four times a day. However, this rule of thumb does not necessarily apply to every room.

Short bursts of airing instead of keeping the windows open all the time
In bedrooms, humidity tends to be higher than in other rooms because we release a lot of moisture through breath and sweat while we sleep. Ideally, it would be best to leave the window tilted all night, advises the Federal Environment Agency. If that’s too cold for you – especially in winter – you should air the room intensively after you get up. Means: The windows for five to ten minutes completely open and let fresh air.

On the other hand, continuous ventilation with tilted wis windows is counterproductive. The necessary air exchange is hardly possible. Instead, the apartment cools down slowly, and energy is wasted. The following applies: The colder it is outside, the shorter the ventilation time. Between December and March, windows should not be open for more than ten minutes.

Depending on the decor, it can also damp quickly in the living room. Plants or wet laundry increase the humidity. At the latest, when water drops form on the window panes, shock ventilation is necessary.

It’s better to ventilate bathrooms and kitchens more often
Thanks to numerous water sources, bathrooms and kitchens are the most humid rooms in the house – and, therefore, a paradise for mould. That’s why you should open the window here more often than in other rooms. It is best to air the rooms for a few minutes with the window open after every shower or cooking session.

How to heat more economically without freezing
Cross-ventilation ensures a particularly effective exchange of air in the home. To do this, open the windows in opposite rooms and also the room doors at the same time. This creates room doors simultaneously with living space.

It does not matter whether you use shock or cross ventilation: Turning off the heating during air exchange is essential. Otherwise, valuable energy is lost.