Live, Laugh, Lüften: Expert Discusses Why Ireland Needs to Open Its Windows
Due to our weather, Irish homes often battle issues such as condensation and mould; Irish window expert says Lüften is a breath of fresh air
Ireland is a wet country. Even in spring and summer, months usually associated with warmer weather, we find ourselves closing windows and cracking up the heat to battle the evening chill. The result is that our homes can feel stuffy, that we might wake to condensation-soaked windows and dreaded spots of mould on our walls. However, Sky Windows, the Cork-based supplier of high-quality windows and doors, believes the German practice of Lüften might lead to a solution…
What is Lüften?
Lüften, which translates to ‘ventilate’, is the German practice of opening windows at home for a short period each morning and evening. Lüften helps to replace humid air with clean, healthy air that in turn reduces the potential for condensation and mould. The German public is so obsessed with the idea that rental agreements often require tenants to practice it.
The health benefits of practicing Lüften go on, too, as ventilation research published by the UK government during the COVID-19 pandemic found that “a room with fresh air can reduce the risk of infection from particles by over 70%.”
Speaking about the concept of Lüften, Robert Kennedy, Managing Director of Sky Windows, said that “the practice is beneficial in that you can do it in short spurts before work and again in the evening. Letting air circulate is great for a house, even in winter, and especially in Ireland where we have ongoing issues with condensation.”
Lüften can be done two ways:
Stoßlüften:
Translating to ‘shock ventilation’, Stoßlüften requires homeowners to open their windows twice a day for 30 minutes at a time in summer, 15 minutes in autumn and spring and five minutes during winter months.
Querlüften:
Translating to ‘cross ventilation’, Querlüften recommends that homeowners open windows and doors at opposite ends of their home to create cross ventilation.
Time to Open Our Windows
Having been in business for over 30 years, the experts at Sky Windows know a thing or two about condensation and the need for ventilation. Robert Kennedy says that trickle vents, in particular, are becoming increasingly important as “modern homes are built to be airtight. Trickle vents deliver a constant supply of air to provide a home with passive ventilation. This allows moisture which would otherwise create mould and condensation to escape from the room.”
Robert also points to uPVC, Aluclad and aluminium windows, with options such as tilt & turn and casement windows offering different adjustable lock systems. These allow homeowners to safely lock their windows ajar while they’re away from the home, letting humid air out and clean air in. These are also known as night vents.
While on the subject of mould and condensation, Robert listed his Top 3 Tips for reducing these issues in your home.
Open Internal Doors to Create Airflow
Condensation and mould can be a big problem in living rooms and bedrooms in modern houses. Windows in houses do not cause condensation. The condensation is caused by moisture in the air picked up from our body heat when we’re sleeping combined with the heat generated in the room from radiators or heaters. Wet clothing in the room also exacerbates this. Opening internal doors, and ideally a window, allows the air to circulate in the property and means it’s less likely to form as mould or condensation on your walls or windows.
Aim to Have a Window Open at All Times
Before you head out to work or start your day, OPEN A WINDOW. Even a tiny bit helps.
Doing this means you’re allowing stale air inside your room to escape and replacing it with lovely fresh air. Airborne moisture also has a means of escape which should help to alleviate condensation and mould internally.
Never Dry Clothes in a Room
These days, with space and accommodation availability at a premium, people are faced with difficult choices. Living spaces are getting smaller and more cramped. Outside space is now a luxury in a property. Apartment living is the norm.
However, drying clothes on a clothes horse in a room can release up to one pint of water into the air. This moist air must go somewhere and inevitably it will form as condensation and mould on your walls and windows. If needs must and a clothes horse is a necessity, always open a window and try to allow the moist air from your clothes to escape.
When asked to expand on the need to air out our homes, Robert said, “Mould can appear anywhere, be it in apartments, private homes or business properties. We need to find solutions, ways of better insulating and ventilating our buildings. A practice like Lüften is a useful place to start and in time homeowners might consider long-term solutions such as more effective windows, vents and even doors.”
Robert Kennedy, Managing Director of Sky Windows