Looking forward to a change of temperature as we head into Spring but not looking forward to the allergies that often accompany this time of year? In this blog we explore why indoor air quality is so important and what we can do to improve it.
We are all aware that regularly cleaning indoor surfaces is an important part of keeping a healthy indoor environment, but what about cleaning the air we breathe?
Why Is Indoor Air Quality So Important For Allergies?
Hayfever & Asthma
Hayfever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma are often common in NZ during this time of year. “Like any other allergy, allergic rhinitis is an inappropriate immune system response to an allergen – most commonly house dust mite, pet, pollen and mould. The allergen comes into contact with the sensitive, moist lining in your nose and sinuses and sets off the allergic response. Allergic rhinitis has been found to be an extremely common trigger for asthma in both children and adults.
There is now very good evidence to support the idea that asthmatics who look after their upper airways will need less asthma medication and fewer hospital or GP visits.”
Asthma & Respiratory Foundation NZ
How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality?
There are several ways to improve the quality of your indoor air, whether at home or in a commercial setting. The 2 key considerations are ventilation and air purification.
Ventilation
With homes becoming more airtight than ever, the option of leaving doors or windows open to allow fresh air to enter is often not possible from a noise and security perspective. Opening windows can also let valuable heat escape, making your home more costly to heat - this is where a mechanical ventilation system can make a real difference.
Mitsubishi Electric’s Lossnay Ventilation System
Mitsubishi Electric’s range of Lossnay Ventilation systems allow you to have a well-ventilated home without the need to open windows.
Lossnay brings in fresh, filtered outdoor air (as opposed to attic air) to replace indoor stale air for an all-round healthier, drier and warmer home.
It also recovers up to 85% of the heat energy from the outgoing air, which can be used to pre-warm in winter or pre-cool in summer incoming air, providing savings on your heating or cooling bill.
Benefits of Lossnay Heat Recovery Ventilation
• Draws in fresh air from the outside
• Removes stale air from the inside
• Circulates fresh air without draughts
• Heat recovery from stale outgoing air
• Whisper quiet operation
• Designed for more airtight modern homes
Daikin Heat Recovery VAM System
Key Features
- Energy saving ventilation using indoor heating, cooling & moisture recovery
- Free cooling possible when outdoor temperature is below indoor temperature (e.g. during night-time)
- Prevent energy losses from over-ventilation while improving indoor air quality with optional CO2 sensor
- High efficiency filters available
- Reduced energy consumption thanks to specially developed DC fan motor
- Can be used as standalone or integrated into air conditioning systems
- Wide range of units available
- Pre-cooling/heating control function to delay the start of ventilation during air conditioner start-up for higher energy savings
- Total fresh air solution with optional electrical heater
- Sound levels as low as 25.5 dB(A) for sound-sensitive installation locations
Air Filtration/Purification
The Heat Pump People recommend high quality heat pump solutions suitable for the Canterbury market and both Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric have a number of systems that contain inbuilt air filtration/purification features. Talk to one of the team to find out which units have filtration features
03 366 1823.
If your heat pump solution doesn’t have inbuilt filtration, there are several alternative solutions available.
Mitsubishi Electrical Plasma Quad Connect
How Does Plasma Quad Connect Work?
How Do I Know How Good An Air Purifier Is?
The CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) rating tells you how well the air purifier works by removing common allergens such as pollen and dust from the air. The bigger the number, the more effective the air purifier is.
Mitsubishi Electric ElitePure Air Purifier
Clean, renew and purify the air inside your home, school or workplace with Mitsubishi Electric's ElitePure Air Purifier.
Key benefits:
- The ElitePure has a CADR of 508m3/h
- One of the highest CADR ratings in the market that is rated to clean a room up to 60m2
- Simple to understand traffic light system indicating air quality monitors telling you how much odour, dust of PM2.5 particles have been detected in the
- Simple to maintain/clean filters
- Smart search mode: directs air in 5 different directions, if it detects pollutants, it will direct filtered air into that location while pulling the dirty air back into the machine to clean it and will continue doing this until it no longer detects pollutants in that area
- Relieve symptoms of asthma and allergies
- Reduce the chance of airborne diseases e.g. viruses and bacteria
- Eliminate harmful chemicals from indoor environments
- Neutralise unpleasant odours
- Improve sleep and rest quality
Daikin Air Purifiers
Daikin’s new range of Air Purifiers with Streamer Technology are designed to capture, suppress & break down pollutants such as mould, pollen, allergens, odours, formaldehyde, traffic pollution & dust. Adding to the list of benefits, the range is approved by the Sensitive Choice® New Zealand program.
Models available:
MC55YPVM: for rooms up to 82m²
MC40YPVM: for rooms up to 62m²
MC30YPVM: for rooms up to 46m²
Key Benefits:
4 Layers of filtration:
Features Pre-filter, Deodorising Filter, High Efficiency Particulate filter and Daikin’s signature Streamer Technology
Triple detection sensor:
Dust, PM2.5 particles & odour levels are displayed on the top of unit for easy live monitoring
Ultra quiet operation:
Whisper quiet operation with sound levels of as low as 19dBA (in Quiet Mode)
Anti-pollen mode:
By creating gentle air turbulence from fan speed modulation, pollen is trapped by the air filters before it settles
Turbo mode:
High power operation for quick removal of pollutants. Ideal for use when there is a sudden increase of occupants in the room
Auto fan mode:
Airflow is optimised to suit contamination levels detected from the sensors for efficient energy usage
Econo mode:
Automatically switches between ‘Quiet’ & ‘Low’ operation mode to suit contamination levels. Ideal for sleeping hours
Streamer technology:
Daikin's Streamer technology revolutionizes air purification
Click here to find out more about how Daikin's streamer technology helps to fight against airborne viruses to keep your air clean & healthy.
If you would like to know more about how to clean your indoor air at home or in your commercial space, talk to the experts in creating comfort, The Heat Pump People
03 366 1823.
