Right home heating helps fight asthma symptoms

Replacing an unflued gas heater with a more effective heat pump or wood burner is one of the best ways to reduce asthma symptoms among children, says Hutt City Council’s eco-design advisor, Sarah Fleet.

Sarah says the causes of asthma remain unclear but ensuring a home contains a dry heat source has been shown to reduce symptoms of the disease.

A study of more than 400 homes whose heating had been upgraded showed there was also a reduction in the number of days children took off school and the number of visits to doctors.

Sarah, speaking during this year’s asthma week, says her role involves helping people to make their homes warm, well-insulated and healthy places.

The chronic inflammation of the airways is the second most common cause of hospital admissions among children.