1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Where are the open windows?!!

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by Brassy, Sep 16, 2008.

  1. Brassy

    Brassy Hiyah

    Joined:
    May 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,524
    Likes Received:
    0
    Come on people! This is the perfect weather to turn off the AC (which doesn't go on anyway when it's this cool outside) sae some money and open those windows - unless you have bad allergies.

    From my house to Lanier (the cut through to Belmont to go to Brambletom) aside from my house (which we opened up yesterday) there were only 2 other homes open - not even just the second level. Sure we do close up the first floor at night, and half close the upper to cut down on car noise) but hey, cut down on the electric bill, and let some fresh air and a breeze clear the musty food smell out of your house!
     
  2. izzysmom

    izzysmom New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2007
    Messages:
    92
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yup, got the same thing on my street. Cross ventilation is the best!
     
  3. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,512
    Likes Received:
    19
    Mine have been open all day.
     
  4. gryphon

    gryphon Banned User

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2006
    Messages:
    1,474
    Likes Received:
    0
    Amen, sister! The weather is gorgeous and should be enjoyed if you don't have allergies. We have all of the windows open for some amazing cross-ventilation.

    I just hope the Big Oil companies don't put a hit out on you for trying to cut into their record profits!
     
  5. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2005
    Messages:
    2,557
    Likes Received:
    4
    MMMMMMmmmmm....... The wonderfulness of camping with the comfort of a mattress and shower.


    And no bugs.
     
  6. phitnessfiend

    phitnessfiend New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2007
    Messages:
    287
    Likes Received:
    0
    Sorry...am a bit freaked out after going to the Allergist last week. She said opening your windows is one of the worse things you can do as a person with allergies. Dust mites LOVE moisture and opening the windows make our homes (sofas, rugs, BEDS and anything soft and warm) perfect havens for these vile creatures. Have you seen one up close (http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/dustmites.php)? YUCK!

    I'm sure I'll get over it real quick though when my electricity bill comes from having to run air all day long!
     
  7. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,512
    Likes Received:
    19
    Huh. I'll have to look into that idea because I've always heard that generally speaking the outside air is cleaner than the inside air due to lack of circulation and being so tightly enclosed.

    From the EPA:

    "In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors."

    "Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants."

    On the other hand, if it is a high pollen or other high allergen day outside keeping windows closed would be a good thing.
     
  8. jjenkins

    jjenkins New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2005
    Messages:
    858
    Likes Received:
    1
    Ditto, and it just smells so much better than crappy ole AC air.
     
  9. christinaandrob

    christinaandrob New Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2004
    Messages:
    862
    Likes Received:
    0
    would love to open the windows. between hubby complaining about his allergies and the neighbors dog that starts barking non-stop at around 6:30am every morning (til 10 at night sometimes!), i'll pass.
     
  10. technosapien

    technosapien New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2007
    Messages:
    617
    Likes Received:
    1
    If you have the right kind of modern air handling system installed, the ventilation system properly cross-cycles fresh air from outside into the house after filtering it to prevent this -- the house is still "airtight" and because of it, system is designed to cycle fresh air in.

    But, I couldn't say whether or not our houses are built that way.

    Ditto on the allergist comment - my wife's said the exact same thing. Opening windows allows outside allergens into the house and kicks up dust and mites. Keeping house closed up forces all air thru the handler's filters, and with a good filter house is kept less allergenic.

    But we still open the windows time to time... except at night, b/c we have a neighbor who likes to walk her two yappy, noisy, uncontrollable dogs by our house at 4am every day... and they bark nonstop... and then OUR dogs wake up... and start barking... and then it's downhill from there........
     
  11. lilpea

    lilpea Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    3,079
    Likes Received:
    16
    it wash CHILLY this morning - our upper thermostat said it was 59 in the masterbedroom and our main floor thermo stat read 62 this morning. But the fresh air was worth it.
     
  12. Brassy

    Brassy Hiyah

    Joined:
    May 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,524
    Likes Received:
    0
    we tied off that vetilation out of our system manually as it was bringing to much humnid air in. and Phitness, I have allergies to 19 things including dust and mites and mold. I have to take singulaire and I can tell you my nose is not running at all.
     
  13. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2006
    Messages:
    2,512
    Likes Received:
    19
    I guess it's a catch-22. Having the windows open helps clear out the indoor allergens but also lets in the outdoor ones. Depending on what you're allergic to, it's one or the other. There definitely are days when I want to have the windows open but can't due to allergies.

    A proper air handling and filtration system in a home will make a difference. However, I doubt that the builder installed equipment is up to that level of quality. Upgrading and enhancing your system can relieve a lot of allergy issues.

    On a side note, many indoor irritants are inadvertently self-inflicted. Between the hairspray, scented lotion, perfume, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, shower cleaners, air fresheners, etc. that people commonly use, we're virtually attacking ourselves. Febreze may make things smell better but you're really just breathing chemicals. Yum.
     

Share This Page