Top 5 ways to Fight Mould and Improve your Indoor Air Quality
Did you know we spend a huge 90% of our time indoors? And did you know that indoor air quality (IAQ) can be up to five times worse than outdoor air quality2. It stands to reason that improving our indoor air quality should be high on our priority list.
In fact, poor indoor air quality is a huge contributing factor to bad health, causing a multitude of health problems like respiratory disease, asthma, allergies, headaches and poor sleep and even more serious health implications. The health issues and lost productivity that arise as a result of poor IAQ costs us over $12 billion per year in Australia1.
Because common pollutants are not visible to the naked eye, it’s easy to assume the air we breathe is pretty clean – but the truth is, many of us aren’t even aware of the minute microbes and ultrafine particles that we live with every day. Along with more obvious things like cigarette smoke, dust mites and pet allergens, mould is one of the greatest factors to influence indoor air quality. Mould releases microscopic spores into the air we breathe, and can wreak havoc on our health, especially for those prone to allergies.
Banishing mould can be a tricky task, so we’ve gathered our top tips for detecting and eradicating this nasty and very common indoor air pollutant and improving your IAQ for good.
Tip 1. Assess your ventilation situation
Mould absolutely loves damp environments, so it tends to grow in places where moisture can’t easily escape (like your bathroom, kitchen or laundry). In many cases, you can resolve the issue by improving ventilation through windows, vents or with underfloor ventilation.
If natural ventilation in a living or sleeping area is an issue, a good air conditioner or dehumidifier can help significantly. Daikin’s Alira X Split System and XL Premium systems have technology that specifically targets and fights mould formation; with a mould proof operation feature that gets activated after cooling or dry operation in order to prevent the build-up of mould and odour. This operation will continue for one hour after it is switched off to ensure mould growth inside the unit is suppressed.
Tip 2. Remove excess water
Take care to dry your kitchen and bathroom areas thoroughly after you’ve finished using them (mould can grow in as little as 24 hours!). Keeping bathroom exhaust fans running while you’re showering (and for 30 minutes after) is a good idea too.
Tip 3. Take advantage of mould-fighting products
If you’re building a new home or renovating, you’ll be happy to hear there are some mould-resistant products you can use to prevent mould: things like mould-resistant plasterboard and mould-resistant insulation. For existing homes, it can be worth looking into waterproofing paints for problem spots around the house.
Tip 4. Keep an eye on indoor plants
While indoor plants can help improve your indoor air quality by filtering pollutants, they can also provide the perfect breeding ground for mould. To stop this from happening, don’t let excess water stagnate in drip trays when you water. A good tip is adding a dash of natural antifungal substance that can hinder mould growth in the plant soil.
Tip 5. Don’t ‘set and forget’ your air conditioner or dehumidifier.
Regularly cleaning or replacing filters as required is a simple way to keep your unit running at its best, and sticking to a regular servicing schedule can also make a world of difference to your unit’s ability to keep your air clean. If you have a Daikin split system, check out our "How to clean your Daikin filter” videos.
Keep your air purified, and breathe better at home
One of the leading causes of poor indoor air quality is mould. One of the best ways to combat mould is to invest in a good quality air conditioner or air purifier. Daikin’s split system air conditioners have built-in air purification technology and are the only air conditioners approved by the National Asthma Council Australia’ Sensitive Choice Program. For more information, just give Daikin’s Specialist Dealer a call.
For added air purification, consider a Daikin Air Purifier. Daikin’s air purifiers are designed with 4 layers of filtration featuring a Prefilter, Deodorising filter, High Efficiency Particulate Filter and Streamer Technology. The air purifier keeps indoor air fresh and healthy by not only preventing mould growth, but also tackling other common air pollutants like allergens, viruses, odours and pollen.
Another bonus is if you position the air purifier opposite your Daikin Split System, the circulation effect is enhanced. The unit controls unevenness in the room temperature while cleaning the air during heating or cooling operation.
Keep the air in your home fresh and enjoy the health benefits of breathing clean fresh air every day.
1 NSW Govt, Sick Building Report, April 2001.
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/ladocs/inquiries/2181/5207%20Sick%20Building%20Syndrome%20Report.pdf
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency - Report on the Environment. www.epa.gov
