How long do you open your windows for this time of year?

[SpringMeadows]

If you are in the UK, how long do you open your windows for in the morning in winter? We have dogs and I leave them open (including the back door) for an hour or two, first thing in the morning. This is because I like to have fresh air in the house daily, but also because I'm rushing around during that time so don't go and shut them. WHen I get to my desk ready to work, I go around and close them. My DP would open them for 20 minutes and then turn the heating straight back on.

It's true that the house gets rather cold during the time the windows are open but are we supposed to live in a stuffy place? So I'd like to hear what others do. Thank you.

Downstairs they tenet be open at least in the morning for 3-4 hours. On warmer winter days, as long as possible until it gets chilly indoors.

Bedroom and bathroom windows tend to stay open all day and - fr bedrooms - all night too.

Bathroom window is open all day otherwise we get mold on the ceiling.

We don't tend to open other windows but the bathroom is enough to circulate some air and the DC have a habit for leaving the front door open for a ridiculous amount of time. I am forever shouting "SHUT THE DOOR!"

Never.

15min blast all window and door in a morning, 15 in the evening as a minimum. It's enough to change air without losing heat. If I fancy more during the day I blast air more.Warmer weather? Happily all the time

I try and open the bedroom windows everyday. I usually open them when we are going out and close them we we get back.
Downstairs I only open in the warmer weather.

Bedroom and bathroom window open a crack all day. All other windows shut.

All windows wide open for 10 minutes is enough to drop the humidity right down. Usually do it twice a day on a nice winter's day. If it's raining or very windy, I just tilt them open but leave them open a bit longer.

When it's warmer, there's usually always a window open somewhere, but I still air properly for 10-15 minutes once a day.

Very little at the moment as it’s so cold! We live in an old house that’s hard to heat-we try not to let the little heat that we do create go whizzing out of the door!if I left the back door open for an hour every day, it would take ages to get the place warm again.

I leave all upstairs windows open when I'm out. If I'm in, then open for a couple of hours.

@Sunflower8848 don't you have problems with damp and mould if you never open?

Bathroom window is never closed, unless very windy.

Bedroom windows will be open all day. Landing window for a couple of hours.

In the summer, we never close them, even overnight, apart from downstairs.

We don't!

I do open the bathroom window when showering though.

Bedroom, ten minutes in the evening but with a high velocity fan rumning in the window for quicker exchange of air. Usually does lower the temperature by a degree or so by that's well worth it for better night's sleep. Downstairs, 15 min before putting on the heating.

I don't open the windows in the winter.

Bedroom window is only closed if we are away on holiday, they are being washed or it’s high winds. Ditto bathroom window.

If you leave windows open when you’re out, what about security?

DH won;t let me open them. It drives me nuts. I snealk opent he back door or leave the front door open when I put my bvoots on and he scurries up saying 'Close that door you'll let the heat out! But I want the fresh air in!

He's having a lie in. This thread has prompted me to open all the windows for a blast of lovely fresh air before he comes downstairs and grumbles.

Upstairs 3/4 hours daily midweek (weekends people sleep in so I don't bother) beds pulled back and aired. The cold dry air is lovely for getting smells out of things. We also get a lot of condensation so it's important to dry rat up daily.

Downstairs in winter I keep warm windows shut, but we don't get damp or mould issues down here.

Any burglar who decided to climb through a bedroom window in this house would be very dissapointed.

I have a draughty old house and DC who leave the door open for ages while leaving the house, so I reckon that's enough fresh air!

Kitchen window (small upper bit), open all day, and all the trickle vents open on the others. I don’t want mould or damp, and I’ve never had the problem.

Little window in our bedroom is open at least a tad all year round.
Ds's window is always open as wide as it can be when he's in, and on the lock (about 1") when he's out.
Bathroom window open after a shower.

Saw this thread title and remembered only two days ago I learned a new word ...

stoßlüften

One way to help prevent damp, apparently. Who knows, this could be another word we kidnap 😀

https://www.politico.eu/article/germanys-energy-efficiency-open-windows-ventilation/

Never knew this was even a thing, we live in a 17th century mainly wooden house and the gappy wooden windows, door etc naturally let plenty of fresh air in 😬 We don’t even open the door for the dog, he has a dog flap to avoid any extra cold air coming in.