Woman lies on the couch and enjoys fresh air, thanks to the use of the Beurer Air Purifier LR 401 and Aroma Diffuser LA 35

How to Create a Healthy Indoor Climate in Your Home

We breathe in and out about 20,000 times a day. Approximately 10,000 litres of air flow through our lungs. Fresh, healthy air makes breathing easier and reduces the risk of absorbing harmful substances, pollen, viruses, or bacteria through the air we breathe.

At the same time, most of us spend between 80 and 90% of our lives indoors. The air there is often poor: humidity is too high or too low, the temperature is not optimal, or the air is polluted with harmful substances.

Contents

What makes a good indoor climate?

Finding an indoor climate that is perceived as pleasant and comfortable by everyone is difficult. People assess the climate in a room based on their clothing, physical activity, and individual perception. Nevertheless, there are various aspects that can contribute to a healthy indoor climate.

A good indoor climate is particularly influenced by two factors: humidity and air temperature. Additionally, pollutants that may burden the ambient air play a central role.

What role does humidity play in a healthy indoor climate?

The air in rooms consists of a mixture of gases and always contains a certain amount of water in the form of vapour. This determines the humidity within a room. It plays a crucial role in a good indoor climate.

Too low humidity can lead to dry mucous membranes, irritated eyes, and skin problems, among other things. On the other hand, too high humidity promotes the growth of mould, which can cause health problems. According to the Federal Environment Agency, humidity should ideally be between 30 and 65%.^*1

Especially on cold winter days, artificial heating causes the relative humidity to drop to often less than 30%. Warm air can absorb more moisture than cold air and thus strives for a high moisture value. For this reason, the warm air draws from the moisture sources in the surroundings, such as plants, furniture, or even human skin and mucous membranes. This can have consequences for your health. Irritations of the respiratory tract, burning eyes, or dry skin are signs of insufficient humidity.

How to increase humidity:

Drying laundry indoors

During the drying process, the laundry releases moisture into the ambient air, and the humidity automatically increases. However, you should ensure that the room is adequately ventilated to prevent mould growth.
Using an air humidifier

An air humidifier is the most effective ways to increase humidity in a room in a controlled way. Beurer offers a comprehensive range of air humidifiers, air washers, and air purifiers that ensure an optimal indoor climate. This can be a real relief for your mucous membranes, especially during seasons when the heating is often on.
Placing houseplants

Green plants are one of the most beautiful ways to increase humidity indoors. Through water evaporation, they continuously release moisture into the ambient air, naturally increasing humidity.

Too high humidity can also cause various problems.

Through showering, cooking, or our breath, water vapour forms, which can settle as condensation on walls and windows. This, in turn, promotes the formation of mould and dark spots on the walls.

Did you know?

Through breathing and sweating, we release between 40 and 300 grams of water per hour into the air, depending on physical activity. Additionally, 10 – 80 litres of carbon dioxide.^*2

How to reduce humidity:

Ventilation

Ventilation is key if you want to reduce humidity. Shock ventilation allows for effective air exchange in the shortest time: fresh, dry air enters the interior, and moist, used air exits.
Using an air dehumidifier

A particularly effective way to reduce humidity is by using air dehumidifiers. These devices draw in the moist air, condense the moisture, and release the dry air again. Modern air dehumidifiers are quiet, energy-efficient, and easy to use. Make sure to choose the appropriate size of the device for your room.
Avoiding sources of water vapour

By avoiding sources of water vapour, you address the problem at its root. For example, when cooking, you can use a lid. Not showering too long or too hot also counteracts moisture formation.
Placing bowls of salt

Salt, due to its hygroscopic property, can bind moisture from the air. Fill several bowls with salt and distribute them in the room. You should replace the salt at regular intervals, as its storage capacity is exhausted after a certain time.

A weather station helps you keep an eye on humidity and indoor temperature in your home. With Beurer's thermo hygrometers, you can easily control your indoor climate for your comfort.

What role does air temperature play in a healthy indoor climate?

Room temperature is another important factor for a good indoor climate. It should be comfortable, neither too warm nor too cold.

The Federal Environment Agency recommends different room temperatures for individual living spaces:

Living room 20 – 23 °C
Bedroom 17 – 20 °C
Kitchen 18 – 20 °C
Bathroom 20 – 23 °C
WC 16 – 19 °C
Hallway 15 – 18 °C

Even if you rarely use some rooms, you should not let them cool down too much.

The lower the room temperature, the less moisture the air can absorb. When the room temperature drops, the air releases moisture into the room. This, in turn, promotes mould formation.

Tip

Too high room air temperatures bring not only negative aspects for our health but also cost money and energy. With each degree less room temperature, you save about six percent in heating costs.^*3

What role do pollutants play in a healthy indoor climate?

A healthy indoor climate also includes clean, pollutant-free air. However, even indoors, the air is often polluted with various pollutants. According to the WHO, indoor air contains up to 5 times more allergens and pollutants than outdoor air. Harmful substances such as tobacco smoke, pollen, and dust can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions.

Furnishings or building materials can pollute the ambient air, for example, through volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The outdoor air can also be polluted with harmful substances that enter through ventilation. The biggest air pollutants include nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and fine dust.^*4

The warm season not only brings blooming flowers and sunshine but also an increased concentration of pollen in the air. These tiny, often invisible particles can be a real problem for people with allergies. The effects range from sneezing fits to watery eyes to breathing difficulties. But even if you don't have allergies, pollen can affect the quality of your indoor climate. They can enter your home and settle in carpets, curtains, and furniture.

Middle-aged man sits on his couch and operates the Beurer Air Purifier LR 400, which stands in front of him

Pets are often beloved family members, but their presence can also have unwanted side effects for the indoor climate. Pet hair is not just a matter of cleanliness but can also trigger allergies and burden allergy sufferers.

With Beurer's air purifiers, you can effectively free the ambient air in your home from pollutants. Our air purifiers achieve a filter performance of up to 99.95%. The proven technology ensures clean air in every room.

Why is it important to pay attention to a healthy indoor climate?

Good air quality not only enhances general well-being but also brings many other positive aspects for our health.

Positive health aspects of a good indoor climate:

Reduction of pollutant load – especially for allergy sufferers
Improvement of performance and concentration
Protection of skin and mucous membranes against drying out
Improvement of sleep quality
Lower risk of infection
Prevention of respiratory complaints

How do I ventilate properly?

Proper ventilation is crucial to bring fresh air into your rooms. "Proper ventilation" means ventilating as efficiently as possible. Shock ventilation allows for a particularly quick air exchange. To do this, open the windows as wide as possible for 5 – 20 minutes. Ideally, you should open opposite windows. Cross-ventilation creates a draft for faster air exchange.

In summer, it's best to ventilate early in the morning and in the evening when the outside temperatures are lower. It is recommended to ventilate for about 20 minutes. In winter, 5 – 10 minutes are sufficient, as the cold, dry outside air can absorb moisture from the indoor air particularly well. You should avoid permanently tilted windows, especially in winter and during the heating period, as this cools down the walls and rooms too much, resulting in higher heating costs.

Additionally, you should always ventilate when there is an increase in water vapor, for example, from cooking or showering.

4 valuable tips for a healthy ambient air

Besides proper ventilation, there are other simple measures that ensure a pleasant climate in your home:

Plants as natural air humidifiers and air purifiers

Many green plants are excellent natural air humidifiers and air purifiers. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. At the same time, they increase humidity by evaporating water through their leaves. Moreover, many indoor plants contribute to air cleaning by absorbing pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Particularly recommended for a healthy ambient air are ivy, snake plant, and aloe vera.
Monitor room temperature and humidity

Air temperature and humidity are two essential factors when it comes to a healthy ambient air. A hygrometer helps you keep track of humidity and indoor temperature in your home. With Beurer's thermo hygrometers, you can easily control your indoor climate for your comfort.
Air purifiers and humidifiers for clean and healthy air

Air purifiers efficiently free the ambient air from harmful substances. Make sure to choose an air purifier with a HEPA filter for the best performance. With Beurer air purifiers, you effectively free the ambient air in your home from concerning substances. The three-layer filter system with HEPA filter removes up to 99.95% of pollutants from the air. The pre-filter filters domestic dust, hair, and tiny insects. The air then passes through the activated carbon filter, which removes harmful gases, volatile organic compounds, and odours. Finally, the HEPA H13 filter frees the air from various bacteria, viruses, mites, fine dust, and pollen. Whether in living rooms, offices, or home offices – the proven technology ensures clean air in every room.

Using an air humidifier at home binds dust particles that distribute more easily in dry air and prevents the spread of pathogens. At the same time, humidified air increases concentration and protects eyes and skin from drying out. Air humidifiers are therefore particularly suitable for use in winter and in rooms with dry ambient air. With ultrasonic humidification or warm water evaporation technology, Beurer air humidifiers ensure optimal ambient air.
Sustainable furniture and cleaning products

Sustainability also plays an important role in a healthy ambient air. When choosing your furniture, pay attention to environmentally friendly materials such as wood from sustainable forestry. Avoid furniture containing formaldehyde-based adhesives, as these can burden the ambient air. Also, when it comes to cleaning products, you should opt for environmentally friendly and low-allergen products to minimize the burden on the ambient air.

^{*1 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/publikation/long/2885.pdf}
^{*2 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/publikation/long/2885.pdf}
^{*3 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/publikation/long/2885.pdf}
^{*4 https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/luft/wirkungen-von-luftschadstoffen/wirkungen-auf-die-gesundheit#woher-stammen-die-schadstoffe-und-wie-wirken-sie-sich-auf-die-gesundheit-aus}