Improving mouldy damp homes

Improving mouldy damp homes

27 August 2015

FROM: HRV Chief Executive Bruce Gordon

Prime Minister John Key is right when he says ventilation is key to reducing dampness and mould in New Zealand homes. But to ensure a significant improvement in the standard of New Zealand’s housing stock a combination of good quality ventilation, insulation, and heating is what’s needed.

While the government has done a great job insulating thousands of homes with the Warm Up New Zealand campaign, it means nothing if a house isn’t well ventilated and doesn’t have a good heat source.

“As NZ's market leader in retro-fit ventilation and filtration solutions, HRV visits more than 2500 Kiwi homes every week where we see first-hand the damp and mouldy condition these houses are in and the health impacts it has on occupants and families.

“The perception that mould and dampness is due to poor housekeeping by occupants is not true, with much of the problem a symptom of poor house construction in the last 100 years or the design of certain homes.

“However this can be managed by positive pressure systems like HRV ventilation along with good quality heating and insulation solutions. It’s not just enough to have bathroom ventilation either, the whole house needs to breathe.”

The second HRV State of Home Survey, which was released last month, highlights the impact sub-standard housing has on the health and well-being of New Zealanders with more than a quarter of Kiwis having moved out of a house because it was cold, damp and mouldy.

TOP 5 FINDINGS FROM HRV STATE OF HOME SURVEY

· 26% of New Zealanders have moved out of a house because it was cold, damp and mouldy. Up from 20% in 2014

· 82% of homes experience condensation

· 65% of people throw more blankets on the bed to stay warm during winter rather than turning on a heater

· A third of Kiwis are concerned about the impact a damp, cold or mouldy home has on their family's health

· Renters are worse off taking 4.7 sick days per year on average compared to overall average of 2.8 days

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