22 NOVEMBER 11, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
AT HOME
Three big-impact home improvements
The 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. These
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.
These 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. The 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. This 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. There
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 infiltrate the air you inhale.
VOCs can be found in various homebuilding
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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