Warm, dry, and energy efficient homes are essential for all our people to have positive social, educational and employment outcomes. Homes that are properly insulated, heated, and ventilated can boost school attendance rates, reduce the likelihood of health issues like asthma, rheumatic fever, and bronchitis, and lessen the impact of rising energy bills, especially in winter.
24 January 2024
Warm, dry, and energy efficient homes are essential for all our people to have positive social, educational and employment outcomes. Homes that are properly insulated, heated, and ventilated can boost school attendance rates, reduce the likelihood of health issues like asthma, rheumatic fever, and bronchitis, and lessen the impact of rising energy bills, especially in winter.
To help address poor housing conditions that often effect our communities, and especially children, the elderly and disabled, K’aute Pasifika has partnered with AirSuite sensors to help Pasifika families improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of health problems. AirSuite sensors monitor temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. This data can be used to identify problems with ventilation, heating, and insulation, and to make changes to improve indoor air quality.
K’aute Pasifika’s Affordable Energy for all Navigator, Foa Samuelu, describes how AirSuite sensors help them to support Pasifika families.
If the problem is structural, Foa can use the AirSuite data to have fact-based conversations with landlords about the need for repairs or improvements. For example, if the data shows that a home is damp and cold, Foa can explain to the landlord why they need to install a heat pump or double glaze the windows.
K’aute Pasifika also uses the AirSuite data to inform their advocacy work and we recently used the data to show the government that many Pasifika families are living in homes with poor indoor air quality. This helped to secure government funding for a new programme to help Pasifika families improve their homes.
AirSuite sensors have also helped inform the delivery of new programmes including the distribution of dehumidifiers and bubble wrap to families with damp homes. The bubble wrap is a cheap and effective way to insulate windows and control moisture levels.
K’aute Pasifika CEO Leaupepe Rachel Karalus says that AirSuite has given them the knowledge and tools they need to help Pasifika families improve their health and wellbeing.
“AirSuite provided the knowledge, information, and tools to enable us to gather critical data to help our families understand how small adjustments to the way we live can improve health outcomes. The data collected has enabled us to provide individual and tailored support to increase equitable health outcomes for our families.”