When travel is no longer an option given the need for social distancing, the question arises: is your home the healthiest place to spend 24/7 riding out a pandemic?
What about life after COVID-19?
Living in a clean, safe environment is a key contributor to your overall health. And during self-isolation and the COVID-19 crisis, the benefits of a healthy living space have been amplified. For many, a safe home means taking the necessary steps to keep surfaces disinfected, decluttering, and checking the efficiency and cleanliness of critical HVAC systems.
This is a great base to optimize your home environment, but more can be done.
Net-zero homes are designed with your health in mind
“Now more than ever, we’re looking to our homes for our protection, our health and our safety,” said David Brix, President of Terra View Homes and homebuilder who specializes in energy-efficient, net-zero homes.
"What we live in matters, not just for the environment but for our health, and I don't think enough people know about the health benefits that net-zero homes can provide for families. A healthy home is one that prioritizes the well-being of its occupants, and every feature in our net-zero homes work together to achieve this."
Net-zero homes are designed with energy efficiency and air quality in mind. They are highly insulated and extremely air-tight, and they’re built with heat recovery ventilators to improve air quality, maintain consistent temperatures, filter indoor air and reduce drafts. Beyond this our homes are built with as many low VOC (volatile organic compounds) as possible. It’s a home designed to reduce a homeowner’s carbon footprint by producing as much clean energy as it uses on an annual basis.
“We’re proud of our net-zero communities and the sustainable, healthy and comfortable living they’re providing our homeowners with,” said Brix.
As much as Guelphites can benefit from net-zero homes as a healthy living option, Terra View also wants local residents who are staying home during this time to consider taking the necessary steps to create the safest and healthiest environment possible.
Here are 5 simple steps you can take to make your home environment healthier:
- Open windows and doors to regularly circulate fresh air and reduce the build-up of air-borne pollutants. This is extremely important if you do not have an air exchange unit (ERV or HRV) as without this the indoor air can be 10 times as polluted as the outdoor air.
- Let in sunlight to help reduce any lingering effects of winter-induced Seasonal Affective Disorder. Sunlight also acts as a natural disinfectant, helping to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and organisms that can live in your home.
- Get started on spring cleaning by vacuuming and dusting thoroughly.
- Replace HVAC filters that have been accumulating dust, dander, pet fur and other particulates.
- Check bathrooms for any mould or mildew buildup and clean with non-toxic cleaning products.
Click here for more tips on creating a green and healthy home.
For more information on the benefits of net-zero homes, visit terra-view.com or contact Shelley by phone 519-249-9356 or email [email protected].