Why is heat important for a healthy home?
When it comes to creating a healthy home environment, heat plays a crucial role that often goes unnoticed. Beyond providing comfort, heat is essential for addressing respiratory problems, such as asthma, and maintaining overall well-being.
In conjunction with Asthma NZ’s series, Healthy Homes: A Kiwi Dream (a series which helps you to understand what you can do to improve the healthiness of your home), we'll explore why heat is so important for a healthy home and how it can contribute to respiratory health. You can also watch their episode on heating for a healthy home below.
So what are the vital roles that heat plays in providing a healthy home for you and your loved ones?
Controlling Humidity Levels: Maintaining proper humidity levels in your home is vital for preventing respiratory issues. Cold and damp environments can encourage the growth of mould and dust mites, which are common triggers for asthma and allergies. By implementing an effective heating system, you can regulate indoor humidity levels, preventing excessive moisture that contributes to the proliferation of allergens and irritants.
Reducing Airborne Allergens: Heat helps to minimise the presence of airborne allergens, such as dust, pet dander, and pollen. When your home is adequately heated, air circulation improves, reducing the concentration of these particles in the air. By minimising exposure to allergens, you can alleviate symptoms and create a healthier breathing environment for those with respiratory conditions.
Eliminating Cold and Damp Conditions: Cold and damp conditions can exacerbate respiratory problems, particularly for individuals with asthma. Cold air can trigger bronchial spasms and inflammation, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath. Additionally, dampness promotes the growth of mould, a known allergen that can trigger respiratory symptoms. By ensuring your home is properly heated, you can eliminate these cold and damp conditions, providing relief and reducing the risk of respiratory distress.
Promoting Circulation and Oxygenation: Heat plays a role in promoting blood circulation and oxygenation, which are essential for overall respiratory health. Adequate warmth helps to dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and ensuring sufficient oxygen supply to the body's tissues, including the respiratory system. This increased circulation supports the lungs' function and aids in the efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Heat is not just about comfort; it plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy home, especially for individuals with respiratory problems such as asthma. By controlling humidity levels, reducing airborne allergens, eliminating cold and damp conditions, and promoting circulation and oxygenation, heat contributes to a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
Investing in an efficient heating system such as hydronic underfloor heating, that ensures proper warmth throughout your home, can significantly improve respiratory health and overall well-being.
Prioritise heat for a healthier home - get in touch with the team at Warmth NZ to discuss your next home build.