More ventilation at home is basic to be healthier

Domus Serveis in October establishes the link between energy efficiency and ventilation. Recently the biochemist from the University of Colorado José Luis Jiménez told: "in Spain it is not well explained how dangerous it is to share the air indoors". We agree... it is time to speak in a clear way.

In the past, the virtues of having windows facing the street were intuited by popular wisdom. Openings provide: light, good air circulation, regulate temperature, increase social interaction and, in case of an accident, are a possible way to evacuate the building.

It was not until the 19th century, however, that all eyes looked at the second  windows advantage: ventilation. Thus, science studied and urbanism applied on the ground -the Cerdà plan is an excellent example of this- improvements with the aim of fighting infectious diseases and providing quality of life were made. In addition to the city, the countryside was also the scene of this fight for health. Thus, people with tuberculosis went to high mountain spas to get oxygen and moderate exercise. In short, the correlation between greater air renewal and a healthier life is not new: here the nower element is the COVID-19 virus.

We jump to the present, establishing, the longer the better, natural air currents that avoid the dryness of the throat caused by using too much heat in a closed environment and cool the room. This drop in temperature has two contradictory effects: first, according to a recent study, it breaks the thermal stability preventing COVID-19 from surviving on surfaces for a long time and, second, the cold of winter can make us sick if we do not keep warm. To prevent this, dress in blunt underwear, an easily removable sweater and a scarf. Having said that, we do not forget the citizens who suffer from energy poverty. We address them in this link where they will find cheap actions to improve their situation.  

Now, we will distinguish between passive and active ventilation systems. The passive ones are incorporated to the modern buildings and are based on providing the house with natural ventilation spaces: crossings, venturi effect, ventilated facades or the choice of an orientation. Active systems, on the other hand, are those where the action of the person living in the dwelling is decisive: opening windows - natural air is always preferable - or sanitizing the spaces with air purifiers.

The above conceptual contrast cannot make us forget that in the 21st century something totally different has come into play: home automation. Today, the user of this technology only has to ensure the proper functioning of the controls and program with them the desired temperature, light or humidity conditions. However, in the future, if the Internet of Things is implemented massively, this may not be necessary.

Our readers will have realized that this article is a story of ventilation. From early intuition, through construction as the linchpin of sustainability in creating ventilation or setting a certain temperature with orientation, to user-driven or even self-regulating technology regardless of the presence of the user. The best thing about the field we are dealing with is that it doesn't stop.