Live better with these healthy home tips from the experts

With New Zealand’s unique climate, it’s vital to maintain a warm, dry, well-ventilated environment in your home to reduce the risk of health issues such as asthma, respiratory infections, and other illnesses caused by dampness.  

“Healthy homes are crucial in New Zealand as they significantly impact the well-being and health of occupants,” says Ivon Kumar, Daikin’s National Engineering Manager. “Proper temperature and humidity control, and good indoor air quality, are particularly important for improving comfort and reducing condensation in New Zealand homes. A healthy home promotes a better quality of life for Kiwi families and supports the overall well-being of our communities.”

While it is helpful to know the importance of a healthy home, it is even more valuable to learn the steps you can take to ensure your home is healthy year-round. Whether you live in a new build or an older home, Ivon has expert advice to help you create a warm, dry, moisture-free environment.

Create a healthy home with Daikin

The first thing to look out for are signs of an unhealthy home.

“Low temperatures and high levels of constant humidity with little to no fresh air are some of the main signs your home is unhealthy; this creates the perfect environment for mould and bacteria to grow and become airborne. Coupling this with low lighting levels and you’ve got a very unhealthy environment,” Ivon explains.

If your current home displays signs of an unhealthy environment or you want to know if a future property has the potential to be unhealthy, Ivon recommends contracting a professional to ascertain what work is required.

“The healthy home standards look at many aspects of your building, including (but not limited to) insulation levels, heating systems and ventilation solutions,” Ivon says. “At Daikin, we have a host of products and solutions available to help increase the comfort and efficiency of your home.”

For residential properties, Daikin offers a variety of solutions designed to improve air quality, increase ventilation, and maintain a stable temperature indoors. These include air purifiers, heat recovery ventilation, single and multi-split heat pump AC systems, and the Reiri home automation system that offers indoor air quality monitoring.

“Our heat recovery ventilation system is great in tandem with a wall, ceiling, or in-ceiling AC system as they work together to condition the space and introduce fresh tempered outdoor air while exhausting stale air,” Ivon says. 

For commercial properties, Daikin’s heat recovery ventilation system, VRV outdoor air processing unit, custom specification air handling unit, and Reiri office control system with indoor air quality monitoring are great ways to ensure you’re working in a healthy environment, too.

Keep your home healthy year-round

Installing systems designed to create healthy indoor environments is the most important step towards a healthy home, but it is also necessary to support your healthy environment with regular maintenance and quality checks.

“Make sure you check electrical connections for wear and tear, ensure there are no leaks in your system with a refrigerant level check, and keep coils free from dust and debris. Clean your indoor unit’s filters and fan with a pressure wash if needed, and check all bathroom and kitchen extractors and supply fans to ensure they aren’t blocked, as these spaces can introduce a lot of moisture to your living environment. I would also recommend checking that all your windows close and seal properly to avoid letting untempered air into your home, which can increase the load on your AC system.”

If you need advice on the best system for your home, contact your local Daikin dealer.

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