Dublin households urged to do 10 minute task every day this week
Irish households are being encouraged to open their windows for 10 minutes daily this week, despite the bitter cold.With freezing conditions sweeping across much of the country in recent days, and snowfall affecting numerous areas, maintaining a warm and comfortable home without significantly increasing heating usage and energy costs can be challenging. Unfortunately, the bad weather can bring more unwanted side effects than just spoiling any outdoor plans.The cold snap also brings increased condensation, which can result in mould growth. This is why specialists at Blinds2go are recommending that people open their windows for just 10 minutes to allow fresh air to flow through."Although in general, keeping your windows closed and covered is the best way to retain heat, opening your windows for just 10 minutes a day is a highly recommended tip by experts," explains Chloe Dacosta, Design Manager at Blinds2go. "It helps to reduce condensation and damp – which are also major culprits for a chilly home – and replaces moist indoor air with drier air, without cooling the entire room too much as it's only for a short burst", reports Galway Beo.Understanding when to open and close your curtains and blinds is equally crucial. "First, although closing your blinds and curtains is a great way to stay toasty, it's also a good idea to let the sun in when you can, as the solar heat will work wonders for heating up your home," advises Chloe."Keep an eye on when and where the sun is shining and alter your blinds or curtains, accordingly – if you have electric blinds, these are perfect as you can easily change your shade levels without having to move from your cosy spot on the sofa."The expert also advises households to check for draughts. "Heat escapes from gaps around doors and windows - including keyholes, letterboxes, and cat flaps - as well as through chimneys and even floorboards, so it's always worth checking these areas if your home feels chilly," Chloe adds."Sealing around frames, fitting excluders, blocking unused openings, or popping a rug down on hard floors can help further reduce heat loss and create a warmer, more comfortable environment."If you have rooms you're not using, you can also try closing the curtains and doors and turning the radiators off in these spaces, so you can focus on heating the rest of your home instead. In rooms you are using, keep the doors propped open at least a little to encourage good circulation of the warm air."Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
