Healthy By Design: Your Family Home
We spend a lot of time in our homes cooking, cleaning, showering and breathing. Quality housing is an important determinant of good health. It’s easy to overlook some of the most basic things we can do to our homes that will greatly improve our health.
Here is a list of the top 10 things you can do.
Indoor Air Quality - Use a Merv 13 filter (or higher) on your HVAC system. This rating is considered a Final Filter and is used in the medical and commercial industries.
Fresh Air - There are 3 good options to bring in fresh air depending on your climate that is best; ERV/HRV, Supply Fan, or FAD. The important factor (in my opinion) is to create positive pressure inside your home, a small amount of air is going out instead of in when you crack a window or open a door. The medical and food industry use this method to keep their environments clean for airborne pollutants from entering the area.
Water Filtration System - Depending on where you live, you will have different water filtration needs. Generally, you will need two different systems; whole house filter and a drinking water filter. The drinking water filter is an activated carbon filter that is isolated usually in the kitchen to your fridge or drinking water faucet and it will remove herbicides, pesticides, PFOA/PFS, VOCs, etc. The whole house filter is uses copper-zinc and minerals to stone reduce chlorine and heavy metals. There is a vast offering and availability of special filters and brands depending on your specific needs.
Lighting - Light plays a big role in our mood and wellbeing by affecting the function of our nervous and endocrine system which produces hormones to our bodies like melatonin. Designing a house that brings in natural light and controls artificial light with dimmer systems is the best way to improve the light quality in your home. The amount of artificial light you are exposed to at night prior to going to sleep and while you are sleeping.
Comfort - This one sounds simple, but has the biggest impact on our 3 health domains (physical, mental and sleep health). This means your home should be well insulated, maintain and hold a good temperature and humidity control and be free from drafts. Using a multi-zoned, heat-pump HVAC system so you can heat/cool your home is one of the best ways to do this.
Low VOCs - Did you know what that new car smell is from when you drive a car off the lot? It’s Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the air from off-gases used to make the product. Formaldehyde is the most popular VOC and is used in almost everything from glue and textiles to disinfectants and furniture. Do your research when you are buying new materials to install in your house. Many builders are still using a waterproofing method called “hot mop” which is basically hot tar to waterproof the shower pans and floors below the tile. It’s full of VOCs that take a long time to off-gas. There are great alternatives like Schulter’s Kerdi waterproofing system and other membrane products.
Incorporate smart home technology: Smart home technology can help you monitor and improve the health of your home. for example, smart thermostats and air purifiers that can be controlled through a mobile app, and air quality sensors that can detect and report on pollutants.
Optimize layout for functionality: Design the layout of your home to optimize functionality and flow, this can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. This can include separating public and private spaces, creating dedicated areas for specific activities, and providing plenty of storage.
Keep humidity levels in check: Maintaining proper humidity levels in your home can help reduce the risk of mold growth, dust mites, and other allergens. A humidifier or dehumidifier can help you maintain appropriate humidity levels.
Avoid synthetic fragrances: Many products, such as candles, air fresheners, and cleaning supplies, contain synthetic fragrances that can be harmful to your health. Look for products that use natural essential oils instead.
Designing a home to be healthy for its occupants is a multi-faceted effort that involves a variety of strategies and products with the latest technology. Unfortunately, many builders and developers are building to the minimum the code allows with the cheapest products they can get their hands on. We take the opposite approach to the homes we build at Dilworth Homes. Even though we are spending a little more, we believe the features of a healthy home are valued by the homeowner. Afterall, your home is often one of the largest purchases you will make in your lifetime. Why would you spend that kind of money on a home that’s anything else?
About the Author
Jonathon Dilworth is the Principal of C&D Partners, a real estate development and investment company that specializes in value-add multifamily investing in the Western United State and for-sale spec single-family-home development in Culver City, CA.
