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The first cool morning of autumn can be a cruel awakening that summer is well and truly over. But it’s also the best time to do an audit of your place and perform upgrades or D.I.Y. fixes to create a healthy home and prepare for the even colder months ahead.
Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Take the guesswork out of heating with simple maths. The New Zealand Government’s Tenancy Services has a healthy homes online tool that offers handy calculations for both tenants and homeowners. It factors in the characteristics of your home such as floor plan, stud height and when it was built to calculate the minimum heating capacity required.
Home heating has advanced in leaps and bounds in the past few years, and your old heat pump may no longer be the best machine for the job. When investing in a new heat pump, check the Zoned Energy Rating Label on the device, which shows its energy efficiency in hot, average and cold climates. You can also go online and check the Gen Less efficient appliance calculator to compare the efficiency of different models according to the area of New Zealand in which you live.
Deal with draughts around your home to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Not sure where air is escaping? Hold a lit candle near walls, doors and windows, and if the flame flickers or goes out, then you have a draught. Plug draughts using adhesive weather seal strips, installing a door sweep or draught stopper and caulking windows with interior gap sealant.
Upgrading to double glazing or energy-efficient windows is a big job but, for a temporary solution, D.I.Y. window film will make a big difference to the warmth in a room. Thermal blinds are also an effective option.
Check the insulation in your ceilings, walls and floors. If your home was built before 1970, it may be time to replace older insulation. See the D.I.Y. options available at your local Bunnings store or check out our at home and in-store services to arrange a quote and installation.
Make your living spaces more inviting with sumptuous materials. “Feeling cosy is connected to both the temperature of a room and its ambience,” says architect Lisa Day. Look for cushions and throws in tactile materials and textured rugs underfoot. “Tactile surfaces can help your body intuitively slow down and nestle in on a winter’s night,” advises Lisa. Mood lighting also creates cosiness – she suggests LED bulbs that can be easily adjusted to a warm colour temperature.
The downside of a well-sealed and insulated home is that allergens, dust and pollutants cannot escape, and might trigger respiratory issues. A quality air purifier can remove these potentially hazardous elements - helping to provide you with a healthy home. Look for one with a ‘true’ HEPA filter, which filters 99.97 per cent of airborne particles as small as 0.3 of a micron. “Air-purifying plants may also clean the air of a variety of toxins,” says Lisa.
A regular, effective cleaning routine can help to keep dust and airborne irritants at bay. Wiping surfaces with a damp microfibre cloth removes dust without spreading it further, while using a vacuum with a HEPA filter removes tiny dirt particles and invisible irritants. Decluttering and surfaces with easy-clean finishes can also help, suggests Lisa. “Reducing dust may even mean simplifying the number of dust-collecting ornaments in your home,” she says.
Mould caused by excess moisture is a key indicator of poor environmental conditions and negatively impacts respiratory health, according to a study by the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ)*. “Reducing the opportunity for mould growth in your home is extremely important,” says Lisa. Using an exhaust fan is compulsory for healthy home compliance, and opening a window while cooking or showering in addition to this has been shown by BRANZ to substantially reduce the level of moisture without compromising heating, she advises. “In the laundry, make sure clothes dryers are vented outside or invest in a condenser dryer,” adds Lisa.
Transform your bedroom into a warm and cosy retreat. If redecorating or buying new furniture, consider natural building materials, such as timber, cork or leather, which may contain fewer chemicals compared to synthetic options. Opt for paints free of, or low in, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and change out your bedding. “A seasonal anti-allergy inner duvet and cushion swap over helps a house adapt to the seasons visually, and also provides a good opportunity for a deep clean,” says Lisa.
A wallet-friendly way to help boost the health of your home is to use D.I.Y. cleaning products. Cleaning vinegar is a cost-effective option. To make a bathroom cleaner, mix equal parts cleaning vinegar and water in a spray bottle and add a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Or try undiluted cleaning vinegar on tougher, built-up grime.
Check out these simple ways to improve air quality inside your home.
Photo credit: Marina Gemmola, Bureaux.
