In my experience, 42 years here in Victoria, BC., 68 degrees in fresh air feels warmer than 72 degrees in stale air. Fresh air has more oxygen and moisture and less of everyone’s breath. Even when the kids were young I would get up before the rest of the family, start the furnace, put on my parka, open the doors and windows, and let the winter wind blow through. Then I would close everything up and when the rest of the family got up, the air had a warm, fresh quality to it. Then I would turn the furnace off. The rooms would remain comfortable for 3-4 hours. Is this more expensive? No. An expensive way to heat is to leave it on all the time, coming on every time the room temperature drops a degree (and redistributing germs to every room). My heating costs have always been much less than the projected costs for a house my size.
For years, no one in our house would have a cold for more than a day or so, partly because we were all physically very active, but also because by letting the fresh air in, we flushed the germs out. Unfortunately, I am now less active, and more lazy. But I still let the fresh air in sometimes. If I’m tired, depressed or just a little down, refreshing my space helps.
Let me give you the story behind the story. My grandfather had a gas station in Wilkie, Saskatchewan. In the morning, he would open up the big bay doors, front and back – all 5 of them. He would start his oil heater on the office. Then he would start to close the doors and soon the whole garage would be warm. It worked even when it was -40 degrees outside. The little heater kept the place warm all day.
This works well in any situation, whether it is single family, group home, or seniors residence. The usual problem with bed-ridden people is that they don’t get enough fresh air. I’ve worked in all forms of care and yes, it is much easier to bring the fresh air in than take all the residents out.
I work with a lot of young adults with disabilities in a gym-based program (Play Beyond Expectations).This is written out of concern for them, and for anyone who may be suddenly house bound more than usual.
So try exchanging some old stale air (with germs?) for some fresh air, without the germs.You will feel better.You have the freedom to keep doing this after the coronavirus is gone.