Welcome to Habile Home, where we believe that a healthy home is a happy home.
Picture this: a space where you can breathe easy, free from dust, allergens, and mold.
A place where fresh air flows effortlessly, and every nook and cranny is designed for your well-being.
That’s the kind of home we want to help you create—one that nurtures your health and happiness.
Now, you might be wondering, what exactly makes a home healthy? It’s all about the little details, the thoughtful touches that make a big difference.
From air quality to moisture control, each element plays a crucial role in crafting a space that promotes your overall well-being.
In this guide, we’ll explore six best practices for building a healthy living space.
These practices are not just about construction; they’re about creating a lifestyle—a way of living that puts your health first. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get started on this journey to a healthier home.
1. Minimize Air Changes for Better Indoor Air Quality
One of the key factors in creating a healthy living space is to minimize the amount of air changes in your home.
This means ensuring that your home is built to perform at a level of less than 1.5 air changes per hour at 50 Pascal pressure.
This might sound technical, but it’s important because a tighter envelope prevents dust, insects, and airborne particles from entering your home’s interior.
Check out this research for more details.
2. Verify Indoor Air Quality with a Third-Party Test
To truly understand the indoor air quality of your home, it’s essential to conduct a third-party laboratory-certified test.
This test will provide you with a performance metric that you can use to compare and improve your home’s air quality.
Tests should include checking for formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs), particulates, and mold. This information will help you make informed decisions about improving the air quality in your home, ultimately contributing to a healthier living environment.
3. Ensuring Balanced and Distributed Energy Recovery Ventilation
Imagine your home as a living, breathing entity. To keep it healthy, it needs to breathe in fresh air and expel stale air.
Installing a balanced ventilation system with MERV filtration is like giving your home a set of healthy lungs. This system ensures that there are no pressure imbalances, which can lead to discomfort and poor air quality.
By distributing fresh air evenly throughout your home, you’re ensuring that every nook and cranny gets the revitalizing breath it needs.
4. Protecting Against Water Intrusion: Flashing Exterior Penetrations and Roof
Water is essential for life, but when it creeps into your home uninvited, it can cause serious health issues.
Imagine your home as a fortress, and leaks are the invaders you want to keep out. Properly flashing exterior penetrations, windows, and roofs is like putting up a strong defense against water intrusion.
By ensuring that exterior water is directed away from your home, you’re creating a safer and healthier living environment for you and your family.
5. Prevent Mold Growth by Eliminating Condensation
To prevent mold growth, ensure that one-third of the home’s insulation value is installed outside the air barrier.
This step is crucial in colder climates to eliminate any condensing surfaces within the wall assembly.
Using tools like WUFI can help verify that the system is functioning correctly. The exterior insulation helps warm the exterior sheathing, preventing it from becoming a condensing surface.
6. Install a Radon Ventilation System
Install a passive radon vent below the basement slab that vents through the roof. This system is cost-effective and straightforward.
For added flexibility, also install a junction box next to the pipe in the attic. This allows homeowners to easily upgrade to an active radon mitigation system if needed or desired.
In conclusion, crafting a healthy living space is not just about building a house; it’s about creating a sanctuary that nurtures your well-being.
At Habile Home, we believe that every home should be a place of comfort and health, where families can thrive and grow.
By following these six best practices, you’re not just constructing a house; you’re building a foundation for a healthier lifestyle.
Remember, a healthy home is a happy home. So, whether you’re considering a new build or looking to improve your current living space, keep these practices in mind. Your future self will thank you for it!
We’re committed to helping you create the home of your dreams—one that’s not only beautiful but also promotes health and wellness. Let’s build a better future, one home at a time!
Reference:
- What is a MERV rating?
- TVOC explained.