Blog post -

Improving the Air Quality in Your Home When Haze Strikes

Haze caused by forest and peatland fires in Southeast Asia is usually the result of deforestation and land clearing, most often to make way for palm-oil plantations.

The Southeast Asian Haze, as it is popularly known, is a regularity in the region, and has occurred almost yearly since the late 1990s till present day. Because of the its severity, haze has been the cause of much tension between the countries in the region. The record for air pollution in Singapore occurred in 2013 and its source was peatland fires in Sumatra.

Along with aggravating existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, air pollution is responsible for up to seven million deaths per year according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Also, nearly one million out of the 3.7 million people who died from ambient air pollution in 2012 lived in Southeast Asia.

Aside from encouraging government bodies to take steps to reduce deforestation, there are measures that individuals can take to reduce the harmful effects of haze, such as by improving the air quality inside their homes or making use of technologies to prevent property damage caused by haze.

Home technologies for combating haze

The simplest and least expensive product for combating air pollution inside the home is the portable air purifier. These are the three most widely used types:

  1. Ionisers impart a negative charge to particles in the air, turning them into ions, which when collided with pollutant particles in the air, spread the negative charge and subsequently purify the air.
  2. Electronic air cleaners remove pollutants by giving particles a charge, which are then attracted to and neutralised by a material in an air cleaner that has the opposite charge.
  3. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters work by forcing air through a fine mesh that filters out even the smallest harmful particles.

Air purifiers are considered to be useful to individuals during high haze levels, especially those suffering from chronic respiratory problems. The main drawback to all portable air cleaners is that they are energy-intensive and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

A holistic approach to improving the air quality in your home

Installing a portable air cleaning system can improve the air quality in your home, but a more holistic approach takes extra consideration. Even though haze is a recurring problem, air pollution levels fluctuate together with temperature and humidity. Hence, a holistic air conditioning system uses a variety of technologies to monitor and keep the air at home at an optimum level of comfort. This system uses energy sparingly, which helps reduce or even eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

PanaHome's PURETECH technology is a perfect example of a green ventilation and air conditioning system. The PURETECH system uses a variety of strategies to keep the air inside a home fresh and at a comfortable temperature:

  1. Cross ventilation draws in fresh air and expels hot, stale air.
  2. Stack ventilation helps hot air rise naturally and expels it.
  3. Air conditioning is used when needed to keep the air at an ideal temperature.

PURETECH comprises of Panasonic's energy efficient ECONAVI ventilation and air conditioning systems. ECONAVI (eco navigation) automatically controls both the natural and mechanical systems and use sensors to track movement and human activity within the home, and direct cool air to where it’s needed the most.

Panasonic air conditioners feature an advanced filtration system called nanoe-G. Not only does this system remove 99 per cent of airborne particulate matter, viruses, bacteria and mould, but the unique technology also deactivates adhesive micro-organisms that cling to carpets, furniture, curtains and other objects in the home.

Systems such as ECONAVI, when combined with other advanced technologies, can improve air quality in your home and reduce your environmental footprint. A complete system would include:

  • An ECONAVI ventilation and cooling system.
  • Self-cleaning tiles, such as the KIRATECH tiles used by PanaHome Malaysia. KIRATECH tiles use the natural process of photocatalysis to break down pollutants into molecules that can be easily washed off walls without resorting to harsh chemicals.
  • Solar panels, to harness clean, renewable energy from the sun to power home appliances and lighting.

Asia's phenomenal growth has not only led to a higher standard of living for millions of people, but has also contributed to environmental degradation. The solution lies in moving forward and adopting greener technologies that offer an improved lifestyle without threatening the environment. Panasonic and other forward-thinking companies are providing those solutions.

[Image Source: Flickr]

Related links

Topics

  • Building, property

Categories

  • homes and living
  • technology
  • panahome
  • indonesia
  • malaysia

Related content

  • Rainwater Harvesting and Water Management Systems for Greener Living

    Recent flooding in Malaysia and Indonesia highlight the need for improvements in water management systems. We take a look home water management systems which can be used to mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall and also make water available for use in times of drought.

  • Why Green Building?

    According to the results of the Green Building Market Report Southeast Asia 2014, green building practices are being adopted by increasing numbers of architects and developers throughout SEA. With 46 per cent of architects having already sought green building certification by 2014, and with 79 per cent stated their intention to do so in the future. What is driving the trend towards green building?

  • Binishell Building and Other Green Construction Methods

    Even as green building technologies emerge and evolve today, there are still some innovative designs that have been around for a long time, but adopted on a smaller scale. The Binishell is one such example.

  • Sustainable residential design: Is it worth the money?

    One of the main reasons why home builders don't embrace sustainable design is because of the extra costs involved. However, while the initial cost of a sustainable home may be higher, if you look at this as an investment in future savings, the picture changes. In the long run, a sustainable home is a more economical home.

  • How a Geothermal-powered Home Reduces Environmental Impact and Saves Money

    Geothermal energy promises to reduce dependence on coal and other carbon-emitting sources of energy. While geothermal energy is important, it is not our only alternative. Large-scale geothermal plants can provide electricity to millions when combined with solar power in individual homes, drastically reducing energy costs with minimal environmental impact.

  • Green Building and Sustainability Explained

    'Green building' and 'sustainability' are terms we hear frequently. Are the two terms synonymous or are there differences between them? How can an existing building be made more sustainable? What are developers doing to make their projects greener and more sustainable?

  • Flood-proofing lessons for every home

    The devastating floods in Malaysia in 2014 highlighted the importance of taking measures to ensure that home are flood-safe. Here, we examine some effective ways to flood-proof existing homes as well as other methods for flood-proofing future developments.

  • Where is Green Building Headed in SEA?

    As the world's population increases, more and more people in urbanised areas. Sustainable building is now entering the mainstream as a way to conserve natural resources, save costs in the long run and support population increase in major countries around the world. We take a look at where green building is headed in Southeast Asia.

  • Smart living: Smart lighting for your home and office

    Advancements in technology have enabled the development of lighting as an automated function within a room or home to adjust to prevailing conditions, hence improving energy efficiency. Here's a look at how smart lighting could benefit living spaces.

  • 4 Simple Steps to go Eco-friendly in Your Home

    Eco-friendly home modifications are good for the environment, but that's not the only reason they're worth investing in. Here's a look at how having eco-friendly features in your home can make your life more comfortable and save you money.

  • Interview with an Eco-Housing Expert: Jason Pomeroy (Part 1 of 2)

    Panasonic speaks to award-winning eco-architect, master planner and academic Prof. Jason Pomeroy, principal and founder of Singapore-based architectural firm Pomeroy Studio. In part one of a two-part interview, he talks about the key issues, drivers and trends of green buildings in Southeast Asia.

  • Bamboo in Construction: Today's Renewable Building Resource

    Bamboo is highly regarded as a reliable, renewable and versatile building material in many tropical regions. The plant is one of the world's oldest natural building materials and serves as an important resource for sustainable building in today's eco-conscious world. Panasonic explores ways on bamboo usage as a renewable building resource.

  • Three examples of smart living spaces of today

    Imagine a home you can control with the touch of a button or your voice. Smart technology is revolutionising living spaces, combining automated living with comfort and convenience.

  • Driving Malaysia's Green Building Industry

    Thanks largely to government incentives and the adoption of a green rating system, Malaysia is now at the forefront of the green movement in Southeast Asia.

  • A Green Awakening in Indonesia

    Indonesia's capital has mandated that buildings must be more energy efficient, while market demand for green projects throughout the country is picking up.

  • Get environmentally friendly with low-e glass and shading devices

    Thanks in part to government-led green initiatives, Malaysia is emerging as a leader in sustainable housing development. Low-emission (also known as low-e glass) and other shading technologies are amongst the country’s solutions to the problem of wasteful conventional energy.

  • Pretty, Green: How the Changing Aesthetics of Sustainable Living are Winning over Consumers

    ​As the technology for generating and managing renewable energy sources becomes more sophisticated, a rising number of governments, companies and private consumers are waking up to the possibilities of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. But one of the main criticisms that persist is their lack of aesthetic appeal. How is this evolving and winning over customers in society today?

Enter your email address to follow Panasonic Asia Pacific

When you choose to create a user account and follow a newsroom your personal data will be used by us and the owner of the newsroom, for you to receive news and updates according to your subscription settings.

To learn more about this, please read our Privacy Policy, which applies to our use of your personal data, and our Privacy Policy for Contacts, which applies to the use of your personal data by the owner of the newsroom you follow.

Please note that our Terms of Use apply to all use of our services.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by unsubscribing or deleting your account.
Check your inbox

Email sent to __email__. Click the link there to follow Panasonic Asia Pacific.

Okay