If you moved to the Yuma area recently, you’re probably aware that the weather here is unlike anywhere else in the United States. For most of the year, we use our air conditioners to survive the region’s high temperatures. The good news is that we do cool off a bit in the winter, with December being our coolest month, with an average of 49 degrees for a low and an average of 69 degrees for a high. Now, 49 degrees is not going to cause hypothermia, but some lovers of warmth will turn on the heat at night when the temperature drops that low.
But what about those of us who are fresh-air lovers? Isn’t it a fine time for open windows?
Let’s see why even if you find Yuma’s winter a little too cool at night, it’s worthwhile to wrap up in a blanket, turn the heat off, and enjoy open windows.
No Ventilation Equals Stale Air
All summer long, most of us keep the house shut and the AC running. Your home’s air can get very stale when there’s no ventilation, and unless you have a ventilation system or your house is old, with many cracks that allow outside air to penetrate, indoor pollutants can build up. Indoor pollutants can have a serious impact on your health related to:
- Allergy symptoms
- Asthma symptoms
- Respiratory infections
Indoor Pollutants
Some typical indoor air pollutants include:
- Dust
- Pet dander
- Mold
- Volatile organic compounds (off-gassing from chemical cleaners, pressed-wood products, dry cleaning, and other sources)
Open Windows
Open the windows whenever the weather allows. Even on warm days, it may cool off enough to open the windows at night so you can let the fresh air in and the stale air out.
Otherwise, look into installing some type of ventilation that will bring in fresh air and let out pollutants. The four types of ventilation are:
Talk to your HVAC technician about what a ventilation system can do for you.
For more on open windows, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. ???
