With spring comes nicer weather, blooming flowers, and the urge to open your home’s windows and let the fresh air in. But while you may want to open up all of your windows to get a good breeze, it is important to understand the potential risks associated with doing so. Let’s take a look at why you should not open your home’s windows during this time of year.
Strain on Your System
Your HVAC system worked hard to get your indoor air to the perfect temperature, humidity level and filter it properly. Opening your windows essentially negates all that hard work! When it comes time to close the windows again, your system needs to work extra hard to get your indoor air quality back to an acceptable level. This causes unnecessary strain on your system and can decrease its lifespan.
High Energy Costs
If you decided to open up all of your windows at once during warmer months, it could mean higher energy costs due to lost air conditioning from cold air escaping through windows that have been left open for too long. If you do decide to open some windows for ventilation purposes, make sure you only do so on days that are cooler and have lower humidity than normal outside conditions so that you don’t lose more cold air than necessary when trying to cool down your home. It is also important that you close all other doors leading outside when leaving a window open so that cold air does not escape from other parts of the house as well; this will help minimize energy costs associated with cooling down one room at a time rather than multiple rooms throughout the house simultaneously by opening many different windows at once.
Pest Infestations
Opening your windows during spring can increase the likelihood of infestations from pests like cockroaches, ants, and spiders. These bugs are attracted to light and warm temperatures and will use any opening they find in your home as an invitation for them to come inside. Once they’re inside, it’s difficult to get rid of them without professional help. To avoid pest infestations, keep your windows closed during this time of year if possible.
Mold Growth
Mold thrives in areas that are dark and damp, like basements or crawl spaces in homes. When you leave your window open overnight or for extended periods of time, humidity can enter through these openings and cause mold growth on furniture or walls near the window. This can be hazardous for those living in the home because mold can cause respiratory illnesses if inhaled over an extended period of time. To prevent mold growth in your home it is best to close all windows when not using them.
Conclusion
There are several risks associated with leaving your home’s windows open in springtime—from pest infestations and mold growth to high energy costs—that make it worth avoiding altogether if possible. If you need some ventilation while keeping pests out and conserving energy costs low, consider investing in fans or dehumidifiers instead as these can provide similar benefits without subjecting yourself and family members to unnecessary risk factors associated with opening the windows.