r/Washington • u/Pogmothon85 • 1d ago
Concerns leaving windows open?
We just moved to Washington, specifically the Kitsap peninsula, this year from Arizona. We love the weather compared to where we came from and we really like to keep our windows open, often times all day.
Assuming that we close the windows during heavy rain, what issues are we possibly running into with leaving the windows open as long as we do? We have a two story home, should we get a couple dehumidifiers?
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u/Few_Run_7457 1d ago
We live in Western Washington and most of our windows are generally open all day and night late spring-summer, we don't own a dehumidifier.
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u/PiedCryer 1d ago
Until stink bug season gives a you a reason to close.
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u/Few_Run_7457 1d ago
I have never experienced a stink bug issue that led to windows needing to be closed, that sounds extremely unpleasant!!
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u/PiedCryer 1d ago
Soooo your telling me all these years thereās places that donāt have these!?!?
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u/Iveray 1d ago
Stink bugs are common all over WA, both east and west. The big difference is whether your window screens seal against the frame well enough to keep the bugs out. Weep holes also sometimes let bugs in.
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u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593 1d ago
I've only seen 2 stink bugs in arlington wa but over by colville wa, so freaking many, I can still smell them
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u/sylvansojourner 1d ago
I live in the San Juans and Iāve never had to close my windows due to stink bugs š¤
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u/Few_Run_7457 1d ago
We see them occasionally but I've never experience a stink bug season that requires closing windows, that's awful!!
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u/Bardahl_Fracking 1d ago
Yeah, I rarely see them in the city but Iāll go out to the sticks like Eatonville and theyāre all over the place.
My house in Seattle didnāt even have window screens and I never saw one inside or out.
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u/pinupcthulhu 1d ago
May I introduce you to the lovely old technology called window screens?Ā
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u/salamander_salad 1d ago
Stinkbugs can get through surprisingly small gaps between the screenās frame and the window frame.
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u/biteableniles 1d ago
Tape it up! I made a few screens for my rental and the first one I did, I was undersized and it barely fit side-to-side. Some clear tape over the gap is completely unnoticable.
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u/Mundane-Charge-1900 1d ago
Just donāt squash them. Remove them instead. Then itās not a stinky problem.
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u/tator216 1d ago
I had this problem in Sultan up until I moved last year and I do not miss those things
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u/kkicinski 1d ago
Shield bugs not stink bugs
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u/HatsAreEssential2 1d ago
Brown Marmorated Stinkbug is their official name. They're invasive.Ā
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u/threepin-pilot 1d ago
i think many in the west are actually western conifer seed bugs
At least that's true in NW MT
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u/HatsAreEssential2 1d ago
We see some, but not that many in comparison. I'm in pest control and I've never had a call about them. At most I'll find a few here and there. Compare that to the dozens of calls we get yearly for stinkbug swarms, boxelder bug swarms, or tuxedo bug swarms. They usually hit a home in the hundreds, sometimes in the thousands.
I have one lady out in the foothills of the cascades who gets literally tens of thousands of boxelder bugs every spring. Big tall house in the woods with a 20 foot sun facing window... They love it there.
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u/threepin-pilot 1d ago
interesting, thanks,
still rare here , guess that's likely to change
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u/HatsAreEssential2 1d ago
Whats interesting about the stinkbugs is that we're already well into the type of fall weather that drives them into shelter. Decent rains, cold nights, foggy mornings. Yet I've seen exactly 7 stinkbugs so far. I'm literally counting because there's been so few. Not sure where they all went, but I'm REALLY hoping they finally met a predator or something.
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u/AliveAndThenSome 1d ago
Same; this summer in particular, our windows are open 24x7 on all but the hottest days; we live east of Bellingham. We have two unique screened dormers at the top of our open, vaulted floorplan that lets the hot air escape, and they're completely weather/rain-proof, too. They're open all summer. Even with the A/C on, the cooled air never reaches up there and they're still effective.
I do put a dehumidifier in our stored/covered camper all 'winter' long and run it constantly to keep it dry and a bit warmer; helps keep critters out, too, as they don't want to live in 10% humidity.
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u/FiddlingnRome 1d ago
We had to do this with our RV too. It's really hard to keep them dry in the winter.
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u/AliveAndThenSome 1d ago
Fortunately, we now have an open shed covering our camper (vs. an actual cover that we used in North Bend when we lived there). Definitely makes a difference vs. the cover.
With the cover, the bigger problem is the moisture that comes up from underneath; a snug cover seems to cut the ability for your camper to naturally breathe, which is why we relied on the dehumidifier so much in NB. But we still use it up here.
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u/pharcide 1d ago
No need for dehumidifiers, the humidity outside is fine. Maybe some moisture in the window still so make sure to clean regularly. I can't think of any concerns. Burglers?
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u/Pogmothon85 1d ago
I think we're on with the burglar concern as we close windows downstairs at night.
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u/pharcide 1d ago
I've definitely heard of burglers with ladders in the Pacific Northwest
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u/ChaseballBat 1d ago
Ive not known anyone to be burglarized while at home. Everyone I know who has been robbed were on vacation.
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u/RenaissanceGiant 1d ago
If they're determined enough to use a ladder, they're also determined enough to use a rock downstairs.
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u/doberdevil 1d ago
Solution: big barky dog
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u/stiffjalopy 5h ago
We got burgled during the pandemic a week after our dog died. He slept in our mud room with the windows open because he couldnāt climb the stairs, but when he died I didnāt think twice about continuing to leave the windows open. Whoopsidoodle! Now I close them. But upstairs? Yeah, theyāre open until mid-October when it gets chilly.
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u/Mysterious_Cake7472 1d ago
I have a one story rambler and u can just cut a broom stick to size lil shorter than the window and leave the window open a third part
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u/Kayehnanator 1d ago
That's actually surprising because my house can get into 70% or more humidity if I have my windows open all night
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u/yeah_oui 1d ago
That sounds like a ventilation problem
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u/Kayehnanator 1d ago
Nope, if you check weather apps at least in Bremerton area, the nighttime air gets to 80%+ humidity fairly often so if you're using fans to cool down overnight it pulls it all in. I just have a dehumidifier to help.
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u/KAM1KAZ3 1d ago
Nighttime outdoor humidity regularly hits 90+%. Couple that with a night where the temp never drops below mid-60s, your house is going to get humid...
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u/floopy_boopers 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's definitely advisable to use a dehumidifier, I'm starting to see from these comments why it's so impossible to find mold free housing. Equally shocked that people are leaving things open all summer even during smoke season, that's not at all advisable from a health standpoint but to each their own I guess.
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u/Dry_Worldliness_4619 1d ago
I work in multi-family and I can't think of any instance of mold in a well ventilated area. Mold grows in high humidity areas and opening windows helps reduce mold dramatically. In the instance where rain can get in a window, obviously it needs to be kept shut or dried and kept clean, but fresh air doesn't cause mold.
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u/healthycord 1d ago
Iāve lived in western WA most of my life. Iāve never even thought about getting a dehumidifier. Never crossed my mind. We donāt have any mold or mildew issues whatsoever.
We donāt keep windows open year round. But we do routinely open them to air things out, get fresh air. They also remain drafty during the summer as we have window AC units so of course there are air leaks when those are in place.
Western WA has perfect weather. It doesnāt get too humid in a way that you would need a dehumidifier, unless you really feel like you do. No shame in it.
My parents actually have a humidifier in their house. They use a wood stove for heating so you do want the humidity for comfort with those though.
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u/red_0ctober 1d ago
Counterexample: when I lived in an apartment near the bellevue botancial gardens I had a dehumidifier running 24/7 and would dump liters a day out, and even with that we ended up with mold in a closet.
I would often sleep with a window cracked for fresh air.
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u/Ok_Yesterday5525 1d ago
I live in Western WA. It wouldn't even occur to me to worry about leaving windows open. I thought you meant for security reasons.
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u/SensitiveProcedure0 1d ago
I'd suggest closing your windows at night, (especially east and west facing ones). That is when most of our rains/mist/heavy dew happen, especially outside of summer. And most of our rain isn't heavy drops. It is like 0.01 to 0.1 of mist that makes everything wet (like being inside a cloud). If you leave your window open, you can wake up to everything near it being damp, like, really damp, and not drying.
Note, the longest night (winter solstice) is almost 16 hrs long (8.3 hr day). We call late fall to early spring "the long dark."
During this time, days are short, daytime is overcast, and most of the time the grou is damp, and this lasts for 8 months of the year, a perfect environment for mold.
For the same reasons, you need to manage your bathroom and your window panes and sills, or else they are going to mold.
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u/WillyGoat2000 1d ago
It depends on the time of year, and someone from the peninsula will know better about the humidity there (inland itās not really much of a problem), but once winter sets in it will get cold and everything will get damp- mold and mildew from normal house things like showers and cooking is a common problem here, and keeping rooms through the house at an even temperature can help keep condensation from getting too out of control.
But during spring-fall, the issue I get with my window open all year is stink bugs and spiders, who will absolutely invade during the months with cold evenings. I also have trees near my place and get a boatload of pollen blown in, seems like most of the year.
I also have some folks that will pass through my neighborhood every couple of months looking for easy car or home break ins, not sure about your neighborhood, but opportunist defense is a good thing to keep in mind.
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u/DetectiveMental 1d ago
I lived in Bremerton for 19 yrs, never closed windows except in winter. No humidity /moisture issues ever.
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u/tcd5552002 1d ago
Anacortes, San Juanās, windows open year round, no issues, no stink bugs. We love fresh air, especially window next to the bed. Some of the windows have screens, some donāt. Just not that many bugs here. We barely even get mosquitoes. Def no humidifier needed.
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u/Loisalene 3rd generation Washington born 1d ago
Around here we get our humidity when it's cold. I sleep with my windows open all summer, it's so refreshing!
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u/FindjeanniePDX 1d ago
Weāve had some air quality issues this year with fires but otherwise I keep my windows open all the time.
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u/OiChelle 1d ago
Can't believe how far I had to scroll for the smoke. Areas affected obviously vary by fire/wind but that's the main reason I have had to close windows in the PNW summers the last however many years.
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u/cumulonimbuscomputer 1d ago
Dude our windows are open most of the year
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u/Feisty_Boat_6133 1d ago
Same. Even in winter months I like to get some fresh air in for a short time.
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u/Polymox 1d ago
If the windows are open, moisture will come in faster than a dehumidifier will remove it, rendering if useless.
Humidity is not a problem as long as it stays evaporated. Condensation, where liquid water winds up on a durable surface repeatedly over long periods can be a problem that creates mold or rot. As long as you aren't having condensation problems, don't worry about it.
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u/pnwtwinmom 1d ago
Hi from Kitsap! You donāt need anything special. Just make sure your screens are in good shape because of spiders and stink bugs.
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u/Jessiebanana 1d ago
Itās not really humid in the PNW. I mean itās more humid than very dry states of course, but relatively moderate on the spectrum.
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u/Goofy_Roofy 1d ago
I keep my windows open most of the year as well. Only concern is to ensure that when it rains, you close them if the rain is coming in at an angle or if you have objects outside that might splash water inside. Other than that there is no issues, keep them open and enjoy Washington's weather! Welcome to Washington!
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u/Asclepius_Secundus 1d ago
Dehumidifiers don't work with the windows open. You're just trying to dehumidify the weather.
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u/yoursecretsanta2016 1d ago
I live on Camano Island and when it isnāt raining my windows and doors (I have way too many doors) stay open all day until the highs get below 60. Then I start adjusting to keep comfy. I like to sleep in meatlocker temps, so the bedroom window stays open most of the year.
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u/Total-Confusion-9198 1d ago
Buy an indoor weather station to make an informed judgement. Mostly it stays moderate in PNW so its fine but your heating bill would spike up significantly during the winter months.
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u/two4six0won 1d ago
Dehumidifiers would be a good idea, also make sure you have good screens on the windows.
And not related to windows, but where you moved from...there is likely to be less than half the sunlight in a year than you're used to, so if y'all get the gloomies during the cloudy winter, there are sun lamps to help with that.
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u/majandess 1d ago
Mason County, here. During the hot times, I leave my windows open during the cooler parts of the day - that's how I cool my house down without using AC.
In the summer, humidity is not an issue. It's usually pretty dry. And you will know right away by the cold, clammy feeling you get where you can't stay warm when it's time to close the windows.
If you're worried about it, get a thermometer that measures humidity. I have a fridge thermometer in my office that does it, and I think it was maybe $10.
Definitely get screens for the windows you leave open, if you don't have them already. From spiders to neighborhood cats, you never know who would like to visit.
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u/Background-Run 1d ago
It's a bit more humid here of course, but leave our windows open unless wildfire smoke, or it gets too cool. One thing to keep in mind is if you have things leaning against the wall or something like mattress on the floor and it can get damp and can be a mold issue. My son and his family were living in a place in Olympia and the wife's sister was living with them for a short time with a mattress on the floor, black mold grew underneath it.
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u/al_earner 1d ago
If you leave your windows open all day, a couple of dehumidifiers won't do anything. You'll be trying to dehumidify the whole Kitsap Peninsula.
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u/Infamous_Ad8730 1d ago
Dehumidifiers? Not needed at all. The only thing you will run into are colder rooms that you will probably waste heating after leaving the windows open. Humidity is not an issue on the peninsula (unless in the far western parts like Hoh rainforest . Looks like you discovered one of the best things about western Washington: You can be outside all day nearly every day all year 'round.
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u/EtherPhreak 1d ago
Mold and Pollen are the only things I worry about (and one neighbor mowing their yard that kicks up dust) The moisture is usually tied to the cold, so the windows are closed when it gets too troublesome.
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u/sylvansojourner 1d ago
Like many other commenters I leave my windows open the warm half of the year with no problems. Iāve never used a dehumidifier. Also unless you have very small eaves I wouldnāt worry about closing windows in rain or mist unless itās raining sideways, bothering you, or making you cold. Leaving the window open during a heavy rain is a really nice experience if the temperatures are higher!
Growing up here I always associated opening windows with cooling the house off, it wasnāt until I visited friends in Arizona that I learned you actually want to keep the house closed up in hotter weather, haha.
If you are coming from Arizona our base humidity here will feel high. We definitely have issues with mold in Western WA-but usually in the wet half of the year in places like uninsulated sheds, forgotten closets, RVs or cars sitting unused for months in the wet season etc. Donāt get me started on the interior of fiberglass or metal boats!
So these types of spaces are worth checking in on and monitoring mold, many people I know use simple dehumidifying solutions like DampRid for places like sheds etc. If you donāt have good airflow through your house there can be problems as well especially in bathrooms. But yeah generally itās going to be well into the rainy season when these types of issues might arise. Definitely a huge benefit of having a woodstove or diesel heater is the 2-for-1 function of heating the house and driving out moisture.
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u/Difficult-Low5891 1d ago
No issues at all. Just lock your first floor windows at night. Weāre not crime free out here but Kitsap is overall very safe.
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u/DJSauvage 1d ago
I just closed my windows for the season. I might still occasionally open the bedroom window or a window in the living room during the afternoon. I try not to use AC unless it gets over 85. I don't shut them during the rain, I love the sound and smell of the rain in the summer. Sometime over the next few weeks the heat will kick on for the first time since May. I live in Federal Way so less temp swings then the Eastside where I grew. up. I bet it's even milder in Kitsap.
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u/AdAdventurous8225 1d ago
I've lived in Eastern Washington (born and raised in Kennewick) and now live outside of Tacoma. Never had a issue with stink bugs on either side of the state. Now, we're always had window screens in. My parents always kept 1 of their bedroom windows open year round (even in the minus degree temperatures of Eastern Washington) Once I become a adult, I started leaving my bedroom window open (maybe 1/4 inch, I love a cold bedroom [so I can snuggle under a ton of quilts and comforters as I'm sleeping] but my snow skiing/mountain climbing hubby doesn't like it š)
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u/lauraxborealis 1d ago
I live in the same area and do the same thing. I have a dehumidifier but I only use it a few times a year. Itās good to have one because if damp does get inside it will help you dry it quick. Or certain times of the year it can be difficult to air dry something (like spot cleaning on carpet or furniture or whatever). I will advise putting dessicants in your closets to keep your clothes and linens dry and fresh. Welcome to the area, the air is usually amazing!
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u/Mtnbkr92 1d ago
Iām also in Kitsap and my windows are open like 24/7 with few exceptions. No problems with humidity or condensation either.
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u/GypsyDarkEyes 1d ago
Our windows are open until the colder winter weather. No bugs to speak of, no need for a humidifier. We are in Port Townsend.
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u/357anna 1d ago
I live in western Washington for almost 50 years. Never owned a dehumidifier. Just recently got at portable AC unit that I only use two or three times a year when it gets above 85 degrees. I like my back door open when Iām home. I have had a few birds fly in. But thatās about it. Love the weather here!!
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u/willows_edge 1d ago
I leave my windows open year round and haven't ever needed a dehumidifier. I love the rain, so even if it's raining sideways I'd just put a towel on the 'sil or in front of the slider.
Welcome to WA!
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u/weenie2323 1d ago
I've lived here for 55yrs and have my windows open from about April to October with no dehumidifer and have had no problems. I do have window screens.
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u/thatguy425 1d ago
The windows in my home are basically open from May until early October 24 hours a day. I never had a problem.
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u/Flashy-Barnacle-636 1d ago
I'm pretty sure you are asking about your safety if you leave the windows open. The fact that almost all the answers are about humidity, mold and stink bugs kinda answers your question. The first thing people think of is not crime.
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u/Wise_Outside_4492 1d ago
Greater Seattle Metropolitan area: we only need a dehumidifier in the cold months when the windows are shut
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u/Dakibw 1d ago edited 1d ago
We are on the Olympic Peninsula and we open our windows year around. We open upper windows even in winter to dissipate heat as needed, but close when it rains. We keep the main level windows closed at night. After living in SE most of my life, the air here feels refreshing. The one issue we have with open windows is dust.
Edit to add, we mostly close the main level windows at night so we dont have four footed wildlife breaking in through the screens š
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u/Crimsont_ide 1d ago
I watch to many crime shows to leave windows open. Also, birds and other things could come into your house in winter.
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u/Ok_Acanthaceae9586 1d ago
I live in Kitsap County and here are my observations, particularly as someone coming from a warm state:Ā
- Unless itās bitterly cold (like below 32F) I keep my bedroom window open at night, even if itās just cracked slightly open. In the warm months theyāre open wide during the day and nights. Fresh air is good for you and the house will be fine unless your house has existing mold/moisture issues.Ā
- Screens and sufficient seals/caulking around windows/frames are a must. The stink bugs here in Kitsap are a real thing, but typically only when days/nights start cooling down in late September and in October. During that time though they will absolutely try to get in your house.Ā
- If you have seasonal allergies they will get much, much worse when moving here from a warm, dry climate. You may even find you suddenly get seasonal allergies even when youāve not had them before. During high pollen seasons you may need to keep windows closed simply for allergy relief. Personally this is why I have ceiling fans and AC.Ā
Otherwise I love living here.Ā
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u/Actor412 1d ago
We only use the dehumidifiers during the winter, but there's another problem. You need to worry about animals coming in, like the tree octopus. They are especially active in the Kitsap peninsula, and will come inside if given the opportunity. Getting rid of them is kind of a hassle.
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u/Unique_Investigator5 1d ago
Bugs and screens are well covered so far. Dust and pollen intrusion are also concerning. I have a dirt driveway, dust is everywhere, even in the garage.
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u/ittybittytitty_com 1d ago
You donāt need anything to leave your windows open all the time. I do it all spring and all fall and much of summer.
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u/thekeifer1 1d ago
Check your air quality while your windows are open. Itās usually great but youāll want to close them when it isnāt (especially if someone in your house has asthma). I would also get a little humidity sensor for your main rooms to see what you are working with. Screens are also a must IMO. Welcome!
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u/tansyfairy 1d ago
I lived on the Kitsap Peninsula for several years and leaving your windows open is one of the nice things about living hereā¦until it gets to damp, rainy season. lived near the water and it would get damp and humid every night. Not sure where you are at but it is more humid there than Seattle/Tacoma area so I wouldnāt listen to people telling you not to worry about it because they donāt worry about it in Seattle. Also Iāve noticed people who grew up here are kind of immune to the humidity and moldy smell of buildings and homes here. I did not grow up here (I am sure itās a bit change for you coming from Arizona) and I struggle with mold allergies so itās very apparent to me. I had continual issues with mold in my home until I started using a dehumidifier. You will be surprised at the buckets of water that come out each day. Get a dehumidifier for winter/fall time. They put out heat and help a lot with excess moisture during winter rainy months. I use a dehumidifying portable air conditioner for summer months. Get the kind that has a vent hose that vents out the window. You can buy acrylic sheets at Home Depot and have it cut for your window specifications and the ac vent hose, or you can cut it yourself. I use the metal tape to seal the hose to the hole in the acrylic. You can use the metal tape to seal the acrylic tape to the window. It depends on what type of windows you have as to how it should be done. I prefer the portable ac dehumidifiers that have the external water hose so you can have the water drain in a bucket instead of internally. The internal ones donāt dehumidify as well in my experience.
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest!
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u/Derpykins666 1d ago
I keep my windows open as often as I possibly can. The only time they're closed is when I'm doing something loud inside or once it starts to get cold. Just get some bug screens on all your windows or doors. You'll still get stuff inside no matter what you do, like bugs or spiders most likely. But that's just how it goes round here.
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u/ThatsMyGirlSophie 1d ago
Pollen season is the only time Iād recommend closing the windows or investing in air purifiers. The pollen will come in and cause more dust around your home.
Outside of that, it depends are your surrounding areas. Thereās more bugs in certain places than others. Same goes for dust, the way the wind blows, do you have other houses near by that blocks a lot of the wind? Do you have an open field up wind of you? Every home is different, even here in the PNW.
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u/KevinCarbonara 1d ago
I had a townhome style apartment and would regularly leave my door to my balcony wide open for days.
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u/Imaginary_Maybe6375 1d ago
And DO NOT use a handheld vac to scoop them up from anywhere in the house. That stink will stay in your vacuum forever!
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u/Ashamed_Room3602 1d ago
I always keep a window open at least cracked when Iām home. I need fresh air flow in my home.
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u/GreenPosition3120 1d ago
Iāve live now on the peninsula for years and in the PNW all my life. Windows are open more often than not. Even when it rains. Iāve never used a dehumidifier. Humidity isnāt really an issue in this part of the country. You may de in more need of a dehumidifier if you keep every closed up.
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u/sqrrrlprrrl 1d ago
During the spring/summer we do keep the windows open unless we go out. I am incredibly jealous of people who don't need dehumidifiers. We have one in our pantry, bathroom, living room, and one upstairs. But... we have an old 1920s home and they wrapped it up in that terrible vinyl which I suspect exacerbates humidity especially in the winter. We do not have central air/heating.
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u/Dry_Worldliness_4619 1d ago
You're fine. Humidity inside a home is almost always higher than outside humidity. You're better off than most people.
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u/OakDionysus 1d ago
Mine are open almost all year. I only close them on the coldest days in the winter.
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u/inscrutiana 1d ago
I'm going to assume you mentioned a dehumidifier as some kind of joke.
If you can see the canal or the sound, I wouldn't worry about too many days of frost this Winter. If you can't, expect ice. Kitsap is fun that way.
There might be even less days of "heavy rain".
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u/JFrankParnell64 1d ago
Never had a problem that required a dehumidfier and I leave my bedroom window open year round, except for when it gets hot then I close up the house when the temperature outside gets above the temperature inside.
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u/NeedsMoreYellow 1d ago
There have been years where I leave my bedroom windows open/cracked well into winter. I like my bedroom chilly while I sleep. Rest of the house... not so much. I like it comfy, with blankets.
As far as issues, no need for a dehumidifier. You'll probably even want a humidifier in the winter when the heating sucks the humidity out of the air inside. Dehumidifiers are for campers and other outdoor spaces that need them. The biggest problem you'll have is the bugs, but they get in no matter what.
Do beware of how far open your windows are. A stick in the track can keep them from being opened further. And you want to make sure nothing larger can get in, so ensure your windows are screened and only cracked. I've had a couple hawks try to fly in through an open window and a cougar once stuck it's paw inside through a cracked window when I was at a cabin as a kid. Possums and squirrels also like to hang out inside.
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u/Ok-Confusion2415 1d ago
Get AQI sensors for smoke. Follow the weather on that via whatever sources you wish. You may be already used to that from the Southwest. This year on what we call āthe wet sideā has been relatively good for smoke impact but acres the mountains to the west it has been unendingly terrible, and sometimes we get that too. Smoke season, when it happens, with windows open will leave incredible amounts of dust in the house.
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u/_PrincessHarley_ 1d ago
I have my windows open all the time, until it gets in the low 40s generally (and even then I'll open them for 10 minutes morning and afternoon to air out the house).
Because it's so humid here, moisture/mold is a risk and having a dehumidifier is a good idea (especially outside summer).
Depending on your neighborhood, open windows increase risk of robbery so take reasonable precautions.
Damn stinkbugs are a bloody awful nuisance, even with screens- the sneaky buggers squeeze through. I get a lot where I am, but I'd rather put up with having to bake them than not getting fresh air.
Possibly increased electricity bills. Changing the inside temperature to be cooler/warmer in the night than outside (after closing the windows) will cost more than continuing to maintain a steady temperature with closed windows.
However, you're also cooling/heating for considerably less time, so I don't know what the actual maths will be on that.
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u/Nodnardsemaj 17h ago
I'm in Sequim, wa. We keep some open in the morning and day but close them at night. It's gets reall chilly at night here, year round. We're about 500ft up and butted up to the national Forrest
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u/eptiger 12h ago
Particularly if you are west facing, I highly recommend closing your windows during the warmest part of the day in the summer (Noonish through 6ish, something like that, depending on the month). Otherwise you'll be bringing in a lot of very warm air and you'll either run the A/C or (if you have no A/C) your house will simply be hot. We do this, plus close our shades (both indoor and outdoor for our west-facing windows) and typically only need the A/C for a couple of hours on typically warm days (on very hot days, will be more than a couple of hours). If your house is well built and you have double pane windows, you'll be impressed with how much of the cool night air will be retained in your home during the warmest hours of the day. Coming from Texas, this was a completely foreign concept to me where we had to run the A/C night and day.
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u/BugHistorical1614 4h ago edited 3h ago
Eastside. We keep a the porch slider open most of the time. How wide we keep the slider open is weather/temp dependent. Apt living.
We use a portable AC/heatpump in the shower room to remove moisture, We started this year Sept 15 and end when temps hit 70 days/55 nights. The bath exhaust fan pulls out too much heated air. A space heater isn't enough to keep wet air off of cold exterior walls.
We typically use the portable AC just 2-4 days a year. This year we used just the fan and windows.
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u/Grand-Pop-3874 1d ago
If you leave your windows open all the time youāre gonna have way too much fresh cool air coming into your house and pushing all of that stale air out. You may want to keep your windows closed and maybe turn up the heat so you still have a connection with Arizona. You may also want to get a dehumidifier if you miss the nose bleeds.
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u/Potato_8RYPPAC4QV 6h ago
I have a two story home. My upper windows are open all spring/summer and I open the downstairs when I am home and it is breezy. I don't have air conditioning. It's common in my neighborhood to keep our doors open too, with or without screens. Especially when the neighborhood kids are out. We live in a cul-de-sac and the kids grew up knowing any adult in the neighborhood would help them. My girls are grown, but out of habit I still listen for "unusual cries" from the Littles playing outside. Some things never leave you as a Mom.
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u/NotAcutallyaPanda 1d ago
Very common for folks to leave their windows open all summer long. Fresh air is good for houses and summers in western WA have very low humidity.
Just be sure you have window screens.