Why Focus on Health in a Sustainable Home Renovation?

On average, Americans spend ninety percent of their time indoors, mostly spent inside the homes where they live. The air inside homes often has concentrations of some pollutants 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Many people might think that high concentrations of indoor air pollutants were a problem of the past - when asbestos was still found in insulation, and lead paints were standard. Those practices have thankfully disappeared due to increased regulation. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finds that concentrations of indoor pollutants have actually risen in recent decades. This increase is due to a variety of factors, including: Energy-efficient building construction without adequate ventilation or air exchange the rise in use of synthetic building materials, personal care products, and furnishings pesticides, and household cleaners

Can Mechanical Ventilation Improve Your Home's Health?

If you are fortunate enough to have an energy-efficient building shell, mechanical ventilation is an essential part of supplying your home with a steady supply of fresh air without compromising on energy efficiency. Heat recovery ventilator ( HRV ) mechanical ventilation draws the stale air from inside your home and replaces it with fresh air from outside your home. During the winter, an HRV's heat exchange core transfers heat from the outgoing stale air stream to heat the incoming air stream so that you're not blowing cold air into your heated home. Energy recovery ventilators ( ERVs ) work similarly, but they can also regulate the humidity while giving you fresh air. You can read more about the difference between HRV and ERV technology here .

Why Are Low VOC or Zero VOC Products Important For Your Health?

Whether you are painting your home, installing new cabinets, or redoing your baseboards in the kitchen, prioritizing low VOC or zero VOC products is essential for healthy indoor air quality. VOCs lurk in many places. You can find high levels in your paint, in engineered wood products, in plastics and other synthetic materials in your furniture and bedding, and in textiles that contain certain types of flame retardants . You can read more about where formaldehyde, one of the most common (and potentially dangerous) VOCs, might be lurking in your home here . For healthy home interiors, look for low-VOC paints and engineered wood products free of added formaldehyde.

Can Investing in Plants Improve Your Home's Health?

One of the best things you can do to improve your home interior's healthfulness and aesthetics is to invest in plants for your home. Via transpiration, many plants can regulate the humidity levels inside your home. Some plants can even purify your home air and get rid of certain types of VOCs. Check out these articles for ideas on incorporating moss walls , the best air purifying plants , and living walls in your home. In addition to these benefits, plants just make us happy! Learn about all about this in our article on biophilic design .

Do Programmable Thermostats Save You Money?

Programmable thermostats or smart thermostats generally only cost between $100 and $300. They have been shown to save between 10 to 12 percent on heating and 15 percent on cooling when used correctly. Homeowners can expect to save between $131 and $145 a year based on typical energy costs.

Can Low Flow Water Fixtures and Leak Sensors Save You Money?

Low-flow showerheads can reduce your water usage by 40 percent or more. Ultra high-efficiency toilets use only a quarter of the water per flush when compared to standard toilets. And smart water leak detectors can help you save major money from leaks that would otherwise go detected. If you pay over $50 per month on water, these simple upgrades should quickly help drive down that cost.

Why Invest in Renewable Energy?

Installing solar panels , wind turbines , or even a small household hydro plant can allow homeowners to drastically reduce and even eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with operating their homes. A major renewable energy project will cost you a sizeable upfront investment. However, it will pay for itself over the lifespan of the project.

Who Should Consider a Passive House Retrofit?

The best way to lower your home's operational carbon footprint is by opting for a passive house retrofit and achieve EnerPHit certification. These in-depth renovations start with a rigorous assessment by an energy advisor to determine where your home is "leaking" energy. The upgrades themselves might focus on improving the airtightness of your home's building envelope, investing in high-efficiency windows and insulation, updating your HVAC equipment to a heat pump , among other strategies.

Why Choose Recycled and Salvaged Building Materials?

Whether you want to replace the carpeting in your living room with hardwood flooring or install new cabinetry, you can find recycled and salvaged building products for your home renovation project. Recycled wood is not only beautiful and adds character to a home, but it also continues to lock up carbon and reduces demand for further logging of existing forests.

Can Local Building Materials Reduce Your Footprint?

No matter what direction your renovation goes, you can always make an effort to find local building materials. Prioritizing local materials can help stimulate your local economy while also lowering the building project's embodied energy footprint. Check out this Rise guide for finding local building materials for your next renovation project!