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Pausito · smart living

Air

How do I air my home without losing much heat?

Short answer

Open windows briefly and fully: in winter 2 to 3 times a day for about 5 minutes per room. A tilted window cools walls and wastes a lot of energy.

Airing calendar: Air out 2–3× 5 minutes in winter and 10–20 minutes in summer; the tilted window is crossed out.
Airing calendar — Air out 2–3× 5 minutes in winter and 10–20 minutes in summer; the tilted window is crossed out. (The text inside the figure is in Dutch.)

Explanation

Short, intensive airing refreshes the air quickly while walls and furniture keep their heat. A tilted window lets heat escape for hours and cools the frame and wall, which can cause condensation and mould. Ventilation grilles and mechanical ventilation should also always be open or on.

Rules of thumb

  • Winter: 2–3 times a day about 5 minutes per room with the window wide open. [SW-S20]
  • Summer: 10–20 minutes each time. [SW-S20]
  • Bedroom after getting up: 5–10 minutes with the window wide open. [SW-S20]
  • Kitchen and bathroom: 5–10 minutes during and after cooking or showering. [SW-S20]

Pitfalls

  • Tilted windows in winter: large heat loss and cold, damp spots around the window. [SW-S20]
  • Airing does not replace grilles or mechanical ventilation: they stay open or on. [SW-S30]

Search terms

These search terms are in Dutch; only terms that also find a topic in English are links.

luchten stootventilatie kiepraam Stoßlüften schimmel

Read also

General information, not personal advice. Check the source and reference date.

Sources

  1. SW-S20 Wie lüfte ich richtig? Tipps und Tricks zur Schimmelvermeidung — Umweltbundesamt (DE) (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  2. SW-S30 Tips voor beter en energiezuiniger ventileren — Milieu Centraal (Reference date 2026-09-27)

Reference date: 2026-09-27 · Translated with AI from the Dutch original.