New IAQ study from Daikin

A new indoor air quality study from Daikin has revealed more than half of Australians have experienced health issues due to poor air quality at home.

The company says its Understanding indoor air quality in Australian homes research shows that humid conditions, poor ventilation and a lack of awareness on how to improve air quality at home is impacting the immune systems of millions of Australians.

The survey of more than 2,000 Australians was commissioned by Daikin in May 2022, and found that more than half of Australians (52 per cent) have experienced health concerns such as respiratory problems, asthma, allergy symptoms, poor sleep and headaches due to poor air quality at home.

According to the findings, 84 per cent of Australians are concerned about indoor air quality, with COVID-19 contributing to 40 per cent of Australian adults changing the way they think about – and manage – air quality in their home.

“In the aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires, COVID-19 and now the effects of La Niña, Daikin commissioned research to better understand how Australians are managing the indoor air quality at home,” says Dan Tosh, : General Manager Marketing and e-commerce at Daikin Australia.

“While many Australians know that good indoor air quality is important, our research has found that some of the simplest choices and behaviours to improve indoor air at home go overlooked,” says Tosh.

Home air quality is on the nation’s mind

The survey also found that almost half (48 per cent) of the Australians surveyed were concerned about managing the cost of heating their home this winter.

According to Daikin, the risk of poor-quality air in our homes increases during the winter months. Mould growth, dust mites, poor air circulation, pets spending more time indoors and even the type of heating used in the home all contribute to higher levels of pollution and allergens indoors.

One of the most common actions among research respondents to improve air quality in the home (59 per cent) was to always keep a window open, a practice that is likely making the problem worse, according to National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson Professor Sheryl van Nunen.

“Opening just one window can introduce more allergens, such as mould spores, pollution, pollen and smoke to the air you breathe,” says Prof. Van Nunen. “Good ventilation in the home means cross-ventilation. The air must be able to enter and leave your house, for example, through the front and back doors, to have any meaningful impact.”

Technology and home indoor air quality

According to Prof. van Nunen, while the symptoms of poor air quality in the home can seem mild, the cumulative effect of wheezing and nasal blockage results in poor sleep which can increase the likelihood of catching any respiratory virus, which, in turn, worsen any rhinitis or asthma.

“The key to better air quality in the home for winter is to manage humidity and ensure any ventilation is helping to improve the quality of the air you breathe, not hindering it,” says Prof. van Nunen.

“Humidity encourages mould growth and allows pests like dust mites to thrive. It’s important to choose heating systems that regulate the temperature and reduce the amount of moisture in the air to make your home healthier this winter.”

The Blue Butterfly

The National Asthma Council Australia created the Sensitive Choice program to help people identify products and services that are asthma and allergy-aware and have been reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel.

All Daikin systems with Streamer Technology carry the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice blue butterfly symbol, including air purifiers Alira X and Zena.

In lab testing, Daikin says its Streamer Technology was found to destroy 99.9 per cent of mould and allergens in 24 hours, and 99.6 per cent of pollen in just two hours.

“Daikin’s Streamer Technology is an active air purification system that improves indoor air quality. It works by using charged air particles to destroy pollutants like pollen, mould and other allergens such as dust mites from the air,” says Tosh.

Optimising AC systems this winter

According to Daikin’s research, just one in 10 Australians use their heating system daily to maintain a consistent temperature in the home, and only 14 per cent use the dry and fan settings. The company says that knowing how to use a system to maximise comfort and health without driving up the power bill is key.

“When it comes to air quality in your home, not all air conditioners are created equal. Investing in the right heating and air purification systems will help the whole family breathe easier this winter,” concludes Tosh.

Professor van Nunen’s top five winter tips

• Be mindful of moisture and humidity in the home as it can encourage mould and dust mites.
• Listen to your body and act. Sneezing, runny nose, nasal blockage and wheezing are all signs of allergies that can impact your respiratory health over time.
• Opening a single window can cause more harm than good. If you can’t achieve good cross-flow ventilation, use an air purifier instead.
• Vacuum and dust your home once a week to remove dust mites, pollens and other allergens, such as pet hair.
• Look for air conditioners and air purifiers that carry the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice blue butterfly.

Daikin’s tips for optimising AC in winter

• If the humidity is over 70 per cent, use the dry setting to remove moisture from the air, help stop mould from forming and kill dust mites and other allergens.
• Running your system in short bursts of time to reduce costs can cost more. Choose warm on your system and set the temperature at 21-22 degrees in winter to stay comfortable and keep your bills lower.
• Turn your system on in the afternoon before the temperature drops too much, a colder start requires more power and equals larger energy bills.
• Ensure your home is well insulated to keep the warmth in. Use curtains, window and door seals to stop drafts from cooling your home down.
• Choose a reverse-cycle system that offers built in air purification to remove moulds, pollens, bacteria and viruses from the air.

Read the company profile of Daikin Australia at HVAC&R Search.

Image shows Dan Tosh from Daikin Australia.