Why Michiganders Should Try “House Burping” for Better Air

I know trends that come and go, but hear me out: house burping is something every Michigander should be doing.

What Is House Burping?

What the heck is house burping? I asked the same thing when I came across a USA Today segment talking about the practice.

House burping is a German habit known as Lüften, meaning to air out. The whole idea is to open up your house a bit to let the old air out and bring in some fresh air.

Benefits of Airing Out Your Home

Beyond just fresh air, here are more benefits:

• It helps control moisture and prevent mold and mildew — Cooking and showering produce a lot of excess moisture, and by burping your house, you're releasing that trapped humidity outside.
• It helps improve air quality — Between dust, chemical cleaners, and carbon dioxide (CO2) build-up, indoor air has the potential to be much more polluted compared to outdoor air. Plus, did you know that high "CO2 levels can make you feel tired, sluggish, and foggy"? Exchanging that air can help improve your energy and air quality.
• It helps improve heating efficiency — I know it may seem counterintuitive; opening up the windows of your home in the middle of winter to improve heating. But did you know damp air is harder to heat? By letting in some dry air, when you close your windows, your house should be easier to heat.

If you want to burp your home, it's super simple to do:

How to Burp Your Home Correctly

1. Turn down the thermostat
2. Open all your windows, particularly those that will create a cross breeze
3. Set a timer. You should aim for three to five minutes in the winter and 10 to 15 minutes in the spring and autumn. Summer is basically a free-for-all.
4. When the timer goes off, close the windows and reheat your home

The German practice recommends doing this twice a day — once in the morning and evening. However, even burping your home once a day can add lots of benefits. And with all the moisture Michigan homes tend to have, this is a practice all Michiganders should adopt.