Stale Air and Discomfort: Stale air means there is not enough fresh outdoor air replacing the indoor air, which can increase the concentration of indoor pollutants and decrease oxygen levels. This problem can affect how you feel. Stuffy and stale air is a classic symptom of poor ventilation.
According to the EPA, inadequate ventilation traps and concentrates indoor air pollutants, sometimes resulting in immediate and long-term health consequences for building occupants ranging from mild allergies to serious respiratory illnesses.
Effects on overall health
The consequences are: Increased risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies. Increased risk of developing respiratory problems. Possible effects on the immune system.
Poor ventilation in an indoor space can lead to carbon dioxide buildup. As a result, the oxygen levels in your indoor air will be reduced. This can cause a number of symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased cognitive function and headaches.
So changes would be even smaller in most homes. Simply put, humans don't take in as much oxygen as we think we do. Based on oxygen alone, estimates are that the average person could survive in a completely sealed, airtight room for 12 full days! Running out of oxygen in a room is quite unlikely.
Lack of ventilation or low ventilation rates are associated with increased infection rates or outbreaks of airborne diseases. High ventilation rates could decrease the risk of infection.
If it's safe to do so, open doors and windows as much as you can to bring in fresh, outdoor air. While it's better to open them widely, even having a window cracked open slightly can help. If you can, open multiple doors and windows to allow more fresh air to move inside.
Among survey respondents, there was no noticeable difference in amount of sleep, sleep latency, or sleep disorders among people who slept with windows and doors open versus closed. “Our study suggests that bedrooms should be ventilated with clean outdoor air.”
How, then, to keep your IAQ A-OK? Prevailing wisdom is that at least 5 minutes—and ideally 15 to 20 minutes—a day of ventilation significantly improves indoor air quality. For a strong ventilation, open the front and back door, along with windows on the path in between, to get the baddies out.
The best method to accurately measure airflow is with an anemometer. This device has been a standard for many years, and it measures air speed and velocity by using cups attached to a spinning device. The air moves the cups, which are connected to a sensor that reports various data points.
CO2 levels that are higher than 1150 ppm will typically occur in bedrooms that are not fitted with a ventilation system and where windows and doors are closed. Above 2600 ppm: Insufficient ventilation—both sleep quality and next-day performance are adversely affected.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea.
Effects of Poor ventilation can lead to a buildup of indoor air pollutants, triggering respiratory problems and allergies. Additionally, it hampers cognitive function, as increased carbon dioxide levels affect concentration and decision-making.
In a standard room measuring 10x10 feet, the volume is about 800 cubic feet (or approximately 22.65 cubic meters). The atmosphere contains about 21% oxygen. Therefore, in a perfectly sealed room, there would be approximately 168 cubic feet of oxygen.
With the window open, it takes between 5 and 10 minutes in the winter months for the used room air to be completely replaced. Rule of thumb: The colder it is outside, the shorter the ventilation time. A room can be ventilated very quickly with the window and door – preferably located opposite each other – fully open.
Stale Air and Discomfort: Stale air means there is not enough fresh outdoor air replacing the indoor air, which can increase the concentration of indoor pollutants and decrease oxygen levels. This problem can affect how you feel. Stuffy and stale air is a classic symptom of poor ventilation.
Consider using indoor fans in combination with open doors or windows to further increase ventilation. In addition to specialized window fans, box fans or tower fans can be placed in front of a window. Fans can face toward the window (blowing air out of the window) or away from the window (blowing air into the room).