This could go in GQuestions or Quarantine Zone, but let’s try it here. Due to Covid concerns I’d like to ventilate my home this winter — there are three people in the house, and we wear masks during close conversation, and try to maintain physical separation, but we aren’t fanatically diligent about it.
I’ve read that good ventilation is important, that masks and distancing aren’t enough in enclosed rooms, but with temperatures near freezing, it’s a lot tougher than it was in autumn. Do you have any advice or factual info?
—The furnace runs a lot, and we use anti-allergen filters. Should we leave the furnace fan on continuously? Does it bring in fresh air, or is it almost all recycled? Does the recycled air get purified by the heat and the filters?
—We have a gas log fireplace that provides very little heat, and that I imagine sucks outside air into the house from every tiny crevice. Normally we don’t use it because of that, but right now using it is much more pleasant than leaving a window open. Does a fireplace suck in a substantial amount of fresh air?
—Or do we really need to open up the windows and doors, and use fans to exchange the air a couple of times each day? Psychologically it’s an unpleasant thing to do.
Thoughts? Numbers?