As you go from neighborhood to neighborhood, builder to builder looking for your dream home, you have a lot to consider. Are all interior doors 8 feet tall and made of solid wood? Do I love the elevation and floor plan? Can I make custom changes? How much of what I see in the model is an upgrade that I will not get in my home? The list goes on and on. But, what people are starting to discover is that not only are the aesthetic aspects of a home important, but the way the home is built is also crucial. Today, we will talk about indoor air quality and why that is an important consideration when looking for your dream home.
According to this fact sheet on the website for the American Lung Association (ALA), indoor air pollutants can be a major cause of lung diseases which claim 335,000 American lives each year. Think about it. How much time, including sleeping, do you spend inside your home each day? 8 hours? 12? 24 hours a day? We are always concerned about outdoor pollution, but how many hours do we spend outdoors each day? 1 hour? 2 hours? 6 hours? The point is, the average American spends much more time inside our home than we do outdoors. So, why are we not so concerned about indoor air quality. Well, we are getting smarter and realizing that when we buy a home, indoor air quality should be something that we should take into consideration.
The ALA has posted its 10 tips for a healthy home that would be good for you to read. Many of the items on the list are common sense like don't smoke inside your home and wash your bed sheets in hot water to kill mites, but some you may not have considered. When looking for a new home, ask your builder if the following features are INCLUDED in their home:
Tyvek® House Wrap Water Barrier — Reduces the build-up of trapped moisture in the walls which can eventually cause mold and wood rot.
Whole House Media Air Cleaner — Creates a healthier home by removing dust, pet dander, plant spores and other contaminates up to 83% more efficiently than the standard 1” filter.
Mechanically-Controlled Fresh-Air Ventilation System — Brings in fresh air and circulates it throughout the home, reducing the build-up of moisture, odors, and other pollutants.
Sealed Ducts During Construction — Minimize dust build-up in the air duct distribution system.
Kitchen Hood Vented to Outside — Reduces the build-up of moisture and cooking odors in the home.
Fireplace that Uses Outside Combustion Air — Reduces negative pressure build-up within the home.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors — Detect undesirable buildup of carbon monoxide in the home to ensure healthy air.
Sealed Garage from Living Areas — Prevents car exhaust and other fumes from entering the living space due to pressure differences.
Learn more about how Newport Homebuilders includes all of these features in every home they build here and at newportlivegreen.com.
All of these things work together to dramatically improve the air quality inside your home. You should never buy a home that does not include at least these features. If asthma or allergies are of special concern in your family, you may also want to ask the builder about these features:
Special dehumidifiers
Carpeting that uses nontoxic materials and glue
Paint that is nontoxic
Any other item listed on the ALA website
We hope this helps you in your home search and adds one more tool that you have at your disposal when looking for your dream home. A new home is a big investment and we believe you should never have to settle. An smart buyer is an informed buyer and we want to make everyone a smart buyer. Happy home hunting.
This Happy News Brought To You By:
Newport Homebuilders
www.newporthomebuilders.com
469.854.6640
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