About this programme
How people ventilate their homes can make a big difference to mould levels. A University of Otago study, Natural ventilation in damp homes - a quantitative exploration of behaviours and interventions for change, analysed existing data to identify standard ventilation habits that lead to lower humidity and mould. Researchers also interviewed housing assessors and wh?nau living in damp homes to explore what helps or hinders good ventilation practices. The study also looked at whether giving people written advice on how to deal with mould and dampness during the colder months would help. Eight weeks after receiving the advice, there wasn’t a large reduction in the amount of mould found in bedrooms. Another small study tested affordable indoor air monitors that sent alerts when a home got too cold or too damp or didn’t have enough fresh air. The findings suggest that general advice isn’t always effective. People need practical, personalised guidance that fits their real-life situations to improve home ventilation and reduce mould in Aotearoa New Zealand. BRANZ is investing in research and initiatives to support this approach - including our partnership with Te R?p? W?hine M?ori Toko i te Ora M?ori Women’s Welfare League.