Proper ventilation when it's cold: why you should know the 5x5 rule

Created: 2022-12-19, 3:08 p.m

By: Vivian Werg

Regular airing is important to prevent the formation of mold in rooms and to create a healthy indoor climate.

But how do you ventilate properly when it's cold?

Kassel – Proper ventilation is just as important for saving energy as it is for a pleasant and healthy living environment.

In winter, consumers are often faced with the dilemma: it should be nice and warm in the living room, but fresh air is necessary for an optimal indoor climate.

Cold, snow and ice are currently keeping Germany under control.

So how do you ventilate properly when it's extremely cold outside?

The

recommends the following rule of thumb for manual ventilation:

• Below 0 degrees:

  If the outside temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius, the windows should only be opened for 5 minutes.

• At 0 to 10 degrees:

  In this temperature range, airing for around 10 minutes is sufficient.

• More than 10 degrees:

  If it is more than 10 degrees, the windows can be opened for around 15 minutes to ventilate.

Proper ventilation when it is cold: even when the temperature is below zero, it is advisable to open the windows three to five times a day.

© Roman Möbius/ Imago

Ventilate properly: Shock and cross ventilation is efficient

Instead of tilting the window open for a long time, experts recommend airing it out: it's better to open the window completely and then just air it for a few minutes.

Cross ventilation is recommended for opposite windows;

i.e. both windows and doors, if they are in between, open fully at the same time.

Because this is a particularly good way to counteract heat loss.

In spring or autumn, a complete air exchange can take 15 to 20 minutes and if you do this three to five times a day, the windows are open for a long time.

However, it is not advisable in winter – outside temperatures are too low.

Proper ventilation when it's cold: The 3x5 and 5x5 rules

In winter, many fear that the cold will move in from outside and that heating will be completely useless, especially in the current situation with increased heating costs.

Both concerns are perfectly understandable.

, however, 

it is recommended

to ventilate the room

But then 

 with the window open are enough.

can be derived as a reminder 

 : Translated, this means airing the room five times a day for five minutes.

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This rule is easy to follow at the weekend or if you are in the home office a lot or on vacation.

If you are absent all day, it is also sufficient to ventilate less: minimum in the morning and in the evening, but it is better to use the 

.

That means 

.

So: air the room in the morning after getting up, for example, when you come home from work and again shortly before going to bed.

Tips and tricks: Hygrometer can help with proper ventilation

According to ÖKO-TEST, proper ventilation is very important, especially against corona viruses.

A ventilation schedule or timer can help remind you to open the windows every few hours.

Experts from the trade association advise ventilation when necessary and only for as long as necessary.

In addition to personal sensitivity, a hygrometer can help.

This is already available in analog and digital form for little money in hardware stores.

Especially in autumn and winter, excessive humidity in the room can be reflected in condensation on the window.

A hygrometer can help to monitor and measure the humidity.

(Vivian Werg)