Extracting stale air from the home, why is it extremely important?

The air is the most necessary natural and limitless resource for life. We depend on it at all times and cannot stop breathing. However, because it is something so natural, we sometimes forget its importance. Especially at home. We worry about outdoor pollution and neglect the indoor air. And it is precisely within walls where we spend most of our time, so taking care of that environment is crucial. Extracting stale air at home is fundamental for good health.

It’s important to remember that the quality of the air we breathe has a huge impact on our health. Poor air quality can lead to death, and indoor and outdoor pollution is responsible for 3.3 million deaths each year, as explained by Harvard University.

Typically, indoor air is of better quality than outdoor air, but we spend more time within walls than outdoors, which is why we cannot ignore what we breathe at any moment. Moreover, air in the home can be very harmful if it becomes stale air.

Stale air is a phenomenon that can occur both indoors and outdoors, although when we refer to it, it is usually in enclosed spaces. It is easy to detect since it can often be noticed just by the smell it emits, and sometimes its presence can even be visualized. The sense of smell, however, is the simplest way to notice its presence.

According to the World Health Organization, 92% of homes around the world breathe stale air, although the vast majority are located in developing countries. However, in cities like Madrid or Barcelona, as well as in other Spanish capitals, there can also be situations of poor indoor air quality due to outdoor pollution. It's important to note that any home can suffer from this issue. What generates stale air at home?

• Normally, in homes affected by stale air, there is formaldehyde in the environment, which comes from disinfectants and other chemical products. It is one of the most dangerous air poisons.
• Tobacco smoke is one of the major indoor air pollutants.
• Similarly, smoke from cooking can be a big problem if not properly extracted.
• The radon gas, while not considered one of the major generators of stale air - because it has no smell, taste, or visibility - is one of the worst indoor pollutants, and is a major cause of lung cancer.
• Mineral fibers, resins, as well as other compounds have been confirmed to also contribute to the production of stale air. The presence of animals also affects.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the main cause of generating stale air is poor air circulation. There are many pollutants generated indoors, beyond those that come from outside and filter into the home. If the air is not renewed, it becomes stale and turns into a poison. That’s why it is so important to extract stale air from the home, for which there are many natural and mechanical methods.

How can we extract stale air from the home?

The best way to extract air that has lost quality and generate circulation is through mechanical ventilation systems. If there is no extraction solution available, the following alternatives can be adopted:

• Open the windows. Stale air is generated due to the lack of air circulation, so opening the windows, if mechanical solutions are not available, is the most effective option. When cooking or cleaning, it is essential to have the windows open and to avoid indoor tobacco smoke.
• There are a series of plants inside the house that can clean the air, which are also very easy to maintain. Decorating our homes with them can help us clean the air.
• Taking care of our pets is essential to breathe better air. Brushing and bathing dogs or cats is fundamental.
• Air purifiers can eliminate some problems caused indoors due to air pollution.
• Using cooking oils that withstand higher temperatures and cleaning with products containing minimal chemical solutions will help keep the air cleaner.
• Removing moisture in the home will reduce our chances of generating stale air.

If we want to refer to the best solution to extract stale air at home, that is undoubtedly double flow mechanical ventilation, which can extract air of poor quality and replace it with filtered quality air while the windows are closed.