Winter Air Exchange in a Nursing Home Room: A Numerical Analysis of Actual Ventilation Times

Indoor air ventilation is a crucial factor in maintaining air quality in nursing homes, affecting both residents' well-being and the spread of airborne pathogens. During winter, however, window ventilation is often limited to reduce heat loss, leading to a common perception that air exchange times are long. This study experimentally measured the complete air exchange time in a typical nursing home room during the winter season, comparing the collected data with commonly used theoretical estimates. The results show that the actual air exchange time is less than 2 minutes, significantly shorter than expected. This finding has important implications for managing natural ventilation in nursing homes, suggesting that brief window openings may be sufficient to ensure effective air renewal without significantly compromising thermal comfort. The study highlights the need to reconsider ventilation practices in healthcare facilities, balancing air quality requirements with energy efficiency concerns. Implementing strategies based on real measurements could improve indoor climate management, reducing both health risks and the energy consumption associated with heating.