Comfort and indoor climate, mold, measuring devices for ventilation

Table of Contents

• 1. Comfort and indoor climate
• 2. Ventilate properly to prevent mold formation
• 3. Properly ventilate special rooms: bedrooms, offices, etc.
• 4. Measuring instruments for ventilation, CO2 detectors & sensors

This article offers tips and tricks on how to have healthy and comfortable indoor climate.

1. Comfort and indoor climate

How to create a pleasant living environment and why ventilation systems contribute to this.

What makes a room climate comfortable?
Indoor comfort goes beyond just temperature readings. It is a combination of room temperature, humidity, air movement and the quality of the air itself. A room climate that is too dry can put a strain on the skin and mucous membranes, while a climate that is too humid promotes mold growth. Optimum air quality without impurities and odours also contributes to comfort.

The importance of humidity:
Humidity plays a crucial role in creating a comfortable indoor climate. The ideal relative humidity in living spaces is between 40% and 60%. This helps prevent the formation of mold and mites, supports our respiratory system and ensures a pleasant feeling on the skin.

Ventilation systems: Modern helpers for comfort:
In times when buildings are becoming increasingly dense in order to save energy, ventilation systems are becoming increasingly important. They ensure a continuous exchange of stale and fresh air without having to constantly open windows. Modern ventilation systems can both regulate air humidity and filter impurities from the air, which makes a crucial contribution to creating a comfortable indoor climate.

Temperature and comfort:
While the ideal room temperature can be subjective and varies from person to person, a temperature of 20-22°C is often perceived as pleasant in living spaces. Especially in winter, when the heating is in operation, it is important to ensure regular air exchange in order to avoid the room air becoming too dry.

Green helpers: houseplants for a better indoor climate:
Plants are not just decorative elements in our homes. They also contribute significantly to improving the indoor climate. Their ability to filter pollutants and regulate humidity makes them valuable companions in our homes.

Air purification through photosynthesis:
Anyone who has ever taken a biology class knows that during photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from indoor air and convert it into oxygen. But that’s not all. Some houseplants have the amazing ability to filter other pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, or trichloroethylene as well. These chemicals can come from various sources in our homes, such as furniture, carpets, or paint.

Natural regulation of humidity:
Plants release water vapor into the environment through their leaves, a process known as transpiration. This released moisture increases the humidity in rooms, thus ensuring a more pleasant and healthy indoor climate, especially in the dry winter months. Some plants, such as ferns, are particularly good at increasing humidity.

Recommendations for air-purifying houseplants

Some of the top plants known for their air-purifying properties include:

• Monophyllum (Spathiphyllum): Known for its ability to filter formaldehyde and benzene.
• Ivy (Epipremnum aureum): A hardy plant that can remove a number of pollutants from the air.
• Aloe vera: In addition to its healing properties, it can also filter formaldehyde and benzene.

When you consider how easy it is to care for some of these plants in the home and the health benefits they provide, there’s really no reason not to bring a little greenery into your home.

Measures to improve the indoor climate:
There are numerous measures that can be taken to positively influence the indoor climate. This includes proper ventilation, using humidifiers and purifiers, choosing healthy building materials and furniture, and caring for houseplants that can help improve air quality.

The influence of water vapor and heating
Water vapor, which is produced during cooking or showering, for example, can significantly increase the humidity in rooms. High humidity can lead to problems such as mold growth. Therefore, it is important to ventilate well, especially after such activities. On the other hand, heating, especially during the cold seasons, can dry the air indoors. This can lead to dry mucous membranes and eyes.

The feel-good climate within your own four walls:
In order to create an optimal indoor climate in your own four walls, you should always pay attention to the right balance between temperature and humidity. A good indoor climate not only ensures well-being, but can also increase performance and the ability to concentrate.

Cleanliness as the key: How regular cleaning affects the living environment
The well-being in our living spaces does not only depend on the furnishings or the temperature. Cleanliness plays a decisive role in the quality of the indoor air and thus in our general sense of well-being. Regular cleaning and cleaning can have a significant impact on the living environment.

Indoor air and its pollutants:
The indoor air in our rooms can be polluted by a variety of particles. Dust, pollen, animal hair and microscopic airborne particles are just a few examples. These particles can cause allergies, pollute the respiratory tract and affect our overall well-being. Regular and thorough cleaning helps to reduce the concentration of these particles in the air and thus improve indoor air quality.

Tips for clean air:

A few simple tips can help keep indoor air cleaner:

1. Regular dusting: This prevents dust particles from dispersing in the air and settling on surfaces.
2. Use of air purifiers: These devices filter suspended particles from the air and can be particularly useful for allergy sufferers.
3. Frequent ventilation: Fresh air can transport many pollutants and excess moisture from the rooms.

The Importance of Optimal Humidity
In addition to the purity of the air, the optimal humidity also plays a decisive role in the indoor climate. Too much humidity can lead to the formation of mold, while too little humidity can dry out the respiratory tract and skin. Regular cleaning, especially mopping floors, can temporarily increase the humidity in rooms. Therefore, it is advisable to ventilate well after brushing to restore optimal humidity.

Overall, the cleanliness in the rooms contributes significantly to well-being. A clean room with fresh, pure air and optimal humidity offers the best conditions for health and well-being. It is therefore worthwhile to regularly reach for the cleaning cloth and thus ensure a pleasant living climate.

Final thoughts on comfort:
A comfortable indoor climate contributes significantly to our well-being. The interaction of temperature, humidity and air quality allows us to feel truly relaxed and comfortable at home. Modern ventilation systems are helpful tools for ensuring an optimal indoor climate without much effort. It is therefore worth investing in good ventilation systems and finding out about proper ventilation.

2. Ventilate properly to prevent mold formation

The risk indoors:
Mold in living spaces is not only unsightly, it can also cause health problems. The spores that mold releases can cause allergies and strain the respiratory system. A main reason for the development of mold is excessive humidity in the room.

Humidity Basics:
Moisture arises in every household – when cooking, showering, breathing and even from houseplants. If this moisture is not regulated, it can condense on colder surfaces such as exterior walls or windows, providing the ideal breeding ground for mold.

How proper ventilation helps:
To avoid mold formation, it is important to ensure continuous air exchange. This can be achieved through shock ventilation, where windows are opened wide for a short period of time (around 5-10 minutes). The humid indoor air is quickly replaced by fresh, drier air from outside. This should be done several times a day, especially after activities that generate a lot of moisture, such as showering or cooking.

Conclusion on the subject of ventilation and mold
Proper ventilation is an essential element in preventing mold growth in living spaces. By controlling the humidity in the home and ensuring constant air exchange, you create a healthy living environment. It is not only important for the structure and longevity of the apartment, but above all for the health and well-being of its residents.

3. Properly ventilate special rooms: bedrooms, offices, etc.

The bedroom – place of relaxation:
The bedroom is the room in which we regenerate and recover. However, we release a lot of moisture while sleeping. It is therefore essential to ventilate thoroughly in the morning after getting up and in the evening before going to bed. Shock ventilation, in which windows are opened wide for several minutes, helps to remove stale air and excess moisture from the room and thus ensure a pleasant indoor climate.

Living room – the centre of the home:
The living room is often the most used room in a home. This is where people meet, spend time together or relax alone. Since technical devices are often running in living rooms and there are a lot of people, the air can wear out quickly. Especially when guests are visiting, the room should be ventilated at regular intervals. This not only ensures oxygen exchange, but also helps to dissipate odours and excess heat.

Office – productivity and concentration:
In offices where people work and need to concentrate, air quality plays a crucial role. A high concentration of carbon dioxide can lead to fatigue and loss of concentration. It is therefore advisable to ventilate for a few minutes at regular intervals, ideally every two hours. In offices with many people, for example in open-plan offices, ventilation systems are often indispensable to ensure constant fresh air.

General tips for special rooms:

Regardless of the room type, there are some general ventilation tips to keep in mind:

1. Seasonal ventilation: In winter, ventilation should be short and intensive (shock ventilation) in order to save heating costs. In summer, especially in the midday heat, you should darken the rooms and ventilate them in the cooler morning and evening hours.
2. Use a hygrometer: A hygrometer measures the humidity and helps to adjust the ventilation behaviour accordingly.

Proper ventilation in special rooms is not only essential for well-being, but also for health. With a few tips and tricks, you can easily and efficiently ensure an optimal indoor climate.

4. Measuring instruments for ventilation, CO2 detectors & sensors

The importance of hygrometers (Hoth)  and  CO2 sensors (Sensar) for a healthy indoor climate. The quality of indoor air has a decisive influence on our well-being and health. While proper ventilation is crucial to keeping indoor air fresh and healthy, modern measuring instruments can help to optimally control ventilation behaviour.

CO2 detector
CO2 detectors or sensor, like Sensar, measures the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air. Because indoor CO2 levels increase as people breathe, they can serve as an indicator of air quality.

• How it works: A CO2 sensor measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the air and issues an alarm when a certain value is exceeded.
• Advantages: Regular ventilation due to a CO2 alarm can help to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the air and increase oxygen supply, which can have a positive effect on the ability to concentrate and general well-being.

Hygrometer or humidity sensor
Hygrometers or humidity sensors, like Hoth, are instruments that measure the humidity in rooms. Humidity that is too high or too low can lead to health problems and mold growth.

• How it works: The device measures the moisture content of the air and displays it in percent.
• Advantages: With the help of a humidity sensor, you can determine when to ventilate in order to achieve and maintain the ideal humidity of 40-60%.

Fine dust sensors
Fine dust sensors, like Sahara measure the concentration of small particles in the air that can be harmful to health.

• How it works: The fine dust concentration is determined by measuring the light scattering of particles suspended in the air.
• Advantages: The concentration of fine dust can be increased, particularly in cities or near industrial areas. A sensor helps to find the optimal time for ventilation.

Integration into smart home systems
Many of these sensors can now be integrated into smart home systems. This enables automated ventilation based on the readings from the sensors. For example, if the CO2 level is too high, windows can be opened automatically or ventilation systems activated.

Conclusion: Modern measuring devices
Modern measuring instruments can help create an optimal indoor climate and promote health. Through the use of CO2 detectors, hygrometers and fine dust sensors, ventilation becomes a science that ensures more comfort and a healthier life.