We spend a lot of time in our homes. In a survey of 16,000 people in North America and Europe, most of them spend about 90% of their time indoors (YouGov, 2018).
With how much time we spend in our homes, having healthy air quality is more important than ever. So many homeowners have become rightly concerned about the air quality inside their homes.
The Concern about Air Quality
Outdoor urban pollution is on the rise, but the air inside our homes can be up to five times more polluted than the air outdoors. Not only does pollution come into our homes from the outside, but we add to it with the C02 that we exhale, cooking, burning candles, drying clothes indoors, having toxic materials inside, and more. All of this contributes to a more polluted and unhealthy environment that we spend the majority of our time in.
To improve the air quality, there are several methods of air filtration that can clean the air in your home. Many folks opt for portable air cleaners, but they aren’t nearly as effective as a good, entire-house filtration system.
That’s why a new custom home is a great opportunity to build whole-house air systems that promote a healthy environment for years to come. Here are some features of a new custom home that promote the best Indoor Air Quality (or IAQ):
Controlled Ventilation
Homes require some exchange of fresh air. Most homes aren’t well insulated so they provide a way for fresh air to get into the home through leaks. This isn’t energy-efficient nor cost-effective. A better method is to build the home so it’s sealed tightly with systems that allow for controlled ventilation.
An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) exhausts a measurable amount of air from a home per hour and pumps in the same amount of fresh air to replace it. That incoming air is filtered, and the ERV also exchanges heat energy and humidity which lowers the energy cost of ventilation.
Humidifier
Low temperatures in the winter bring dry air into the home. With less moisture in the air, our skin can become dry. Humidifiers bring much-needed moisture into the air along with a comfortable living environment.
Dehumidifier
High summer temperatures can also come with high humidity. A well air-conditioned home is important but does not resolve the over-saturation of moisture in the air. That humidity can cause sweat from heat to linger even long after you’ve begun to cool down. What a new custom home needs for health and comfort in the summer is a dehumidifier. A whole-house dehumidifier can remove humidity from your home without cooling the air, which is especially great for seasons like late Spring and early Fall.
High-Efficiency Air Filters
To combat health issues related to poor air quality such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory maladies, a high-efficiency air filter can be installed as a feature of your home’s heating and cooling system. This type of filter can greatly reduce bacteria, viruses, pollen, mold, and pet dander that circulate through the home.
Light-Induced Oxidation
This NASA invention eliminates contaminants from air filters using a special UV light and a photocatalytic oxidation process. Air Scrubber Plus is a device based on this invention that can be installed in a home ventilation system and is proven to provide protection from illness-causing bacteria and viruses and reduce dust particles and odors.
Conclusion
Professional home builders like Donnelly Timmons understand the health risks of not having a home with high air quality. We have more than 25 years of building experience and can provide you with a custom home that promotes great air quality in Nashville – including Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Green Hills, Franklin, and Brentwood.
Contact Donnelly Timmons for a free consultation today!