It’s gas heating, but not as we know it
Home » The Good Guide » Heating & Insulation » Heating & Insulation » Gas heatingHealthy home heating with Rinnai and the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world. It affects one in six of our people and about one in four children.
In response, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation has established the Sensitive Choice accreditation, which labels products that have proven benefits to people with asthma and allergies.
Household temperature is key area of concern for the foundation, as it poor heating is one of the most common environmental triggers for those with asthma. A recent housing, heating and health study conducted by the University of Otago found that an improvement in home heating results in fewer incidences of colds, flu, asthma and visits to the doctor.
Rinnai is the only company to secure Sensitive Choice approval in the flued gas heaters and fires category, for its Energy Saver heater and Arriva flame fire ranges. David Waters, Rinnai New Zealand’s sales and marketing manager, says: “Houses in New Zealand are notorious for being cold and damp due to poor insulation and a lack of suitable heating. So we aim to help you feel more comfortable in your home, save money on your power bill, conserve energy and look after your health.”
Jane Patterson, executive director of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, says: “With so many products on the market it’s very difficult for people with asthma to know which ones are better for their home. As well as providing a guide for consumers, this programme is intended to encourage manufacturers to think about the needs of people with asthma and allergies when developing products.”
“We carried out thorough research into the Arriva and Energy Saver products, and were delighted to find that it is indeed a reliable heating solution for asthma and allergy sufferers. It’s a good form of heating, and they have been able to produce scientific evidence to support this. It was one of the preferred heating options in the University of Otago study. The main thing for us is that it is flued to the outside, so there is no moisture released,” says Jane.
Rinnai Energy Saver heaters and the Rinnai Arriva flued gas fires are specially designed not to release emissions into the room they are heating. This means the air for combustion is always kept separate from the air in the room being heated and the people it breathing in. This makes them particularly beneficial for those with asthma or allergies, as they maintain the air quality of the home.
The Arriva and the Energy Saver range are vented with Rinnai’s innovative Power Flue. Whereas most flues must be installed vertically, the Power Flue’s electronically controlled venting can be run through an adjacent wall, inside it, through a ceiling or higher up the wall vertically, or even down and out under the floor. This incredible flexibility in installation means Rinnai’s gas fires can fit totally safely and seamlessly into almost any spot in your home—Rinnai’s gas fires can boldly go into rooms where no fire has gone before!
Gas is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly heating option of all fossil fuels, with the lowest emissions. Gas has almost no ash particles, it is the cleanest burning, most responsible choice of all the fossil fuels, says the Ministry of Economic Development. Using gas in the home can also help protect electricity supplies for everyone. Nikki Buckett from BRANZ says gas reduces the demand for electricity, especially in the peak winter season, and helps reduce the risk of power cuts in dry years when hydroelectric lake levels are low.
Natural gas and LPG models of heater are also available, as part of the company’s drive to push back the frontiers of gas-fired heating when it comes to sustainability. Every year Rinnai makes a huge investment into technological research and development of leading-edge gas appliances for water heating, flame fires and outdoor living that are user-friendly as well as planet-friendly.
It’s an investment that’s paying off, giving you more healthy and efficient options for heating your home.
