Give Your Home a Little Burp
We all know how important it is to burp a baby, but have you ever considered the importance of doing it for your home? In a recent social media trend, the idea of allowing your house to burp has become a popular search term, and videos about its effectiveness are making their way across our screens. If you aren’t familiar, or have no idea what we are talking about, keep reading.
In today’s blog, we will chat more about what this means, why you might want to try it, and how you can do it while keeping energy efficiency in mind.
What is house burping?
While it might be referred to as house burping, the term actually comes from a common German practice called “lüften” which means to air out or ventilate. For your home, this means giving it a chance to release stale air and introduce fresh, cool air.
The idea is to open your windows for five to ten minutes a couple of times a day. It is recommended to try it first thing in the morning, after showering, while or after cooking, or before heading to bed to cool your room down.
While opening your windows during the winter may seem counterproductive, especially when we are trying to keep the heat inside, the key is all in the timing. The goal isn’t to leave your windows open for long periods of time. Instead, a quick burst of fresh air can help refresh your home without allowing large amounts of heat to escape.
What are the benefits?
During the winter months, we typically spend much more time indoor. In short amounts, opening your windows can be beneficial to you and your family. Burping your home helps with the following:
Allows ventilation
Reduces the amount of moisture buildup and mould
Minimizes carbon monoxide accumulation
Helps disperse allergens and other airborne contaminants
Refreshes stale indoor air
“Even a small amount of fresh air exchange from the outside will help disperse allergens, chemicals and other airborne contaminants.” -Good Housekeeping
Fresh air exchange can be particularly helpful during the colder months when our homes are closed up more often. Everyday activities such as cooking, showering, cleaning, and even simply breathing can add moisture and pollutants to the air inside your home. Without proper ventilation, that moisture can build up and contribute to condensation and mould.
What about burping and energy efficiency?
We understand that opening your windows when it is -25°C outside may not sound like the most energy-efficient thing to do! However, there is a difference between intentionally airing out your home for a few minutes and leaving a window cracked open for hours.
When you burp your home, open the windows wide for a short period rather than leaving them slightly open for an extended amount of time. Once you have exchanged the stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air, close the windows and allow your heating system to bring the home back to a comfortable temperature.
Your home needs fresh air, but you also want to avoid unnecessary heat loss. Short, intentional ventilation can help you achieve both.
So, as the temperatures begin to drop across the prairies, don’t be afraid to give your home a little burp. A few minutes of fresh air can go a long way toward creating a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment without sacrificing your efforts to keep your home energy efficient.