Five tips for keeping allergies and asthma at bay in winter

Asthma and respiratory infections are commonly found in older adult and unbeknown to most, winter is a peak time for asthma and allergies. Exposure to cold, dry air is a common trigger, and can also lead to a raft of cold and flu symptoms. Here are some simple tips to make your home asthma and allergy friendly this winter.

1. Air purifiers are go

Air purifiers may be beneficial in winter if you suffer from asthma and allergies. Purifiers trap and eliminate airborne particles, bacteria, allergens, and pollen, and help to keep the air in your home fresh and clean, lowering the risk of breathing difficulties and allergic reactions. If you’re on the hunt for a new heating unit this winter, consider installing a split system air conditioner that also includes advanced air purification capabilities.

2. If dry, humidify

Dry air and low levels of humidity are synonymous with winter. Stemmed by the use of heaters, they can cause respiratory problems, dry skin, itchy eyes, irritation of the throat and sinus, and can lead to cold, flu and other viral infections if exposure continues. According to research published in Environmental Health Perspectives, maintaining proper humidity levels between 40 per cent and 60 per cent can help to lower rates of respiratory infections and allergies. Humidifiers and split system air conditioners can help to maintain the ideal indoor humidity during winter.

3. Clean your filters

Air conditioning systems with dirty or clogged filters can circulate dust throughout the house, creating the perfect breeding ground bacteria and contaminants that cause allergies and asthma. Daikin’s expert advice is that you should remember to clean your filter at the start of every season. If there is a family member that is sensitive to dust and allergens, clean the filters more often. It’s best to call in a professional to service your air conditioning unit to ensure that it maintains optimal levels of indoor air comfort (temperature and humidity) all year round.

4. Choose a Sensitive Choice certified product

Products that are certified by the National Asthma Council Australia’s (NACA) Sensitive Choice® Program should be the first choice for households with family members who suffer from asthma or allergies. Daikin’s split system air conditioning units are the only split system models in Australia which are approved by the NACA Sensitive Choice program. Daikin’s US7 split system unit is ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers in winter as it provides advanced humidification and dehumidification control, has an inbuilt automatic self-cleaning filter, and advanced two stage filtration.

5. Is it time to replace?

Having a reliable air conditioning unit can ensure you’re comfortable all year round and can help you save up to 46 per cent on your split system air conditioning running costs, and up to 25 per cent on ducted systems. That said, you might want to consider replacing your old air conditioner. The tell-tale signs that it’s time for a replacement include unusually high energy costs, excessive noise, costly repairs, and uneven heating/cooling. Importantly, new split system air conditioning models have improved technology to reduce running costs, and include an infrared sensor that detects human movement so if a room is unoccupied for more than 20 minutes, the system automatically changes to energy saving mode.

These tips are courtesy of Daikin, experts in heating and cooling technology. 

Do you suffer from asthma or allergies that are worse in winter?