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Three big-impact home
improvements for a
safe, healthy home
Th e pandemic has brought new focus
to home enhancements that not only add
value, but also support wellness. Today’s
homeowners are investing in thoughtful
improvements that prioritize safety
and well-being, helping to substantially
increase the home’s health quotient.
Here are three, big-impact home
improvement trends that support health
and safety:
Upgrade your home’s water
From drinking and cooking to bathing
and cleaning, water is in constant use
in a home. Essential to life, high-quality
water that helps your family live healthier
is vitally important. However, many
homes are plagued with poor water sources
that may contain toxins or contamination.
A good fi rst step is to get your water
tested - many communities and organizations
off er free testing - and then determine
necessary upgrades.
If taste or water quality is a concern, a
fi ltered water system can help provide safe
drinking water at the tap. If you have hard
water, you may want to research systems
that condition the water such as a water
soft ener. Th ese systems remove excess
minerals and produce water that helps
appliances run more effi ciently and is easier
on the skin and hair while bathing.
Older homes may require upgraded
plumbing systems to replace aging
and deteriorating pipes. One solution
for repiping homes is using Uponor
AquaPEX, a fl exible polymer piping material
that resists corrosion, pitting and scale
buildup. Flexible pipe like this lasts longer,
bends around corners and fi ts into tight
spaces without the need for large holes
in drywall.
Install a snow and ice
melting system
Much of the nation faces seasonal snow
and ice, which presents many challenges
for homeowners. As winter weather
begins, slip hazards increase, not to mention
the risk of injury during snow removal.
Hydronic radiant snow-removal and
ice-melting systems are smart solutions
that melt snow and ice quickly, eliminating
the need to shovel and plow, as well as
the use of toxic ice melt chemicals that are
harmful to the environment.
Installed by a professional, Uponor residential
snow and ice melting systems use
PEX tubing buried in concrete, asphalt or
a sand bed to circulate a warm water and
glycol solution that heats the surface until
it is warm enough to melt snow and ice. A
simple manual switch can control the system,
or it can be fully automatic, sensing
when melting is needed.
Th ese systems improve the health and
safety of a home by eliminating slippery
ice and snow, which in turn reduces the
likelihood of injuries, as well as the associated
liability and lawsuits. Th e system
adds value and helps meet Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations
if a home is opting to follow those standards.
Elevate air quality
When you heat or cool your home, conventional
forced-air systems push treated
air through ductwork in the walls and
ceilings, which oft en circulates pollutants
as well as dust and allergens that lower
overall indoor air quality. Th is is a concern
because Americans spend approximately
90% of their time indoors, according
to the Environmental Protection
Agency, where the concentrations of some
pollutants are two to fi ve times higher
than typical outdoor concentrations.
A whole-home air fi lter system is worth
considering for ongoing air treatment as
well as other steps that reduce reliance
on these systems. For example, hydronic
radiant heating works by warming water
at a heat source and circulating it through
piping installed beneath the fl oor. Th ere
is no fan to circulate dust, allergens and
odors, so you can breathe easier while
enjoying warmth and comfort.
In addition to improving your home’s
heating and air conditioning methods, it’s
important to take steps to limit new pollution
in a home. When doing home projects,
be mindful of using supplies and
materials with high concentrations of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), which
can infi ltrate the air you inhale. VOCs
can be found in various home-building
products, including paint, plywood, fabric,
carpet and foam.
It may cost more to purchase items with
low VOCs, but people are increasingly
willing to make this investment to support
home air quality.
— Courtesy of BPT
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