FOR BREaAKING tNEWS VIhSIT WWWo.QNS.COmM e SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 • AT HOME • THE QUEENS COURIER 51
7 Ways to Create a High-Tech, Healthy Home
Home technology devices have come
a long way, and many homeowners are
discovering that their features aren’t just
for convenience and comfort. A growing
number of technology-enabled home features
promote a healthier living space for
you and your family.
From boosting indoor air quality to
cutting back on dust, dirt and germs,
these ideas are the perfect way to add
functional upgrades that improve your
quality of life.
1. Minimize fl oor debris.
Th e fl oors in most homes are grounds
for an unsettling array of dust, dirt and
other unsavory elements, many of which
are tracked in from outdoors. A robotic
vacuum can help you keep these and
other allergens like pet hair under control
with next to no eff ort. Some models even
know when they’re low on battery, return
to their docking station to recharge then
rely on memory to pick up just where
they left off . Many are also self-emptying
for a virtually hands-free cleanup job aft er
the initial setup.
2. Create climate zones.
A zoned approach to cooling and heating
systems allows homeowners to cool
and heat their homes in multiple zones,
reducing energy consumption in spaces
used infrequently. Today’s systems take
climate management one step further. In
addition to regulating the temperature,
a system like Mitsubishi Electric Zoned
Comfort Solutions off ers advanced, multistage
fi ltration that constantly cleans the
air to capture and remove contaminants
which may trigger allergy and asthma
symptoms, spread germs and impact air
quality. In addition, features like platinum
deodorizing fi lters on select systems
use nanotechnology to absorb and neutralize
odors.
3. Wash away germs.
It’s only natural that a device you use
to wash dirty hands is oft en one of the
most bacteria-laden elements in a home.
However, if you don’t have to touch a faucet,
concerns about germs may diminish.
Hands-free faucets are hardly new; they’ve
been the norm in public restrooms for
years. Now these models are more accessible
(and aff ordable) for homeowners,
off ering the same germ-minimizing and
water conservation benefi ts as their commercial
counterparts.
4. Monitor for danger.
Fire alarms and carbon monoxide
detectors are obvious essentials for any
home, but smart models take protection
even further by letting you know about a
problem even when you’re not at home.
By connecting the monitors to a smart
device, such as your phone, you can be
alerted to potential concerns before they
become major threats to your health or
even life. An added bonus: many models
will also send notices about issues like low
battery life, so if you get the alert while
you’re already out, you can save yourself
an extra trip.
5. Reduce ductwork.
Humidity can cause heating, ventilation
and air conditioning ducts to become
damp and breed mold, mildew and bacteria,
but eliminating or reducing ductwork
means less dust or bacteria circulating
throughout your home. You can further
manage air quality with options such
as a Mitsubishi Electric Zoned Comfort
System. Th ese cooling and heating systems
are available in both ducted and
ductless confi gurations and use fi lters
that are easy to access, remove and clean.
Typically homes only use one type of
cooling and heating system, but some
home designs, such as room additions
or retrofi ts, may require a hybrid system
with a mix of ducted and ductless products
with short duct runs and robust fi ltration.
In fact, Mitsubishi Electric ducted air
systems use less ductwork than traditional
systems. Less ductwork results in
less chance of air leakage, which reduces
energy loss, and less contaminants
building up in the ductwork. For homeowners
looking to go the ductless route,
the simplicity of an option like the MLZ
One-Way Ceiling Cassette indoor unit
is an aesthetically friendly solution that
blends into the ceiling. Th is system
easily slides between standard 16-inch
joists.
6. Let there be light.
Most experts agree that natural light is
good for your overall wellbeing. Among
the benefi ts are its mood-boosting abilities,
and some research indicates it’s better
for your eyes than the harsh glare of
artifi cial bulbs (assuming you don’t stare
directly at the sun, of course). Make it
easy to fi ll your home with ambient natural
light using smart technology for your
window coverings, including blinds or
drapes. Whether powered by a remote
control or your smartphone, you’ll have
the ability to create a lighter, brighter
room at your fi ngertips.
7. Don’t overlook the outdoors.
A lawn that is over-watered is a breeding
ground for mold, insects and other
threats to your health. A smart irrigation
system can help regulate your sprinklers
to monitor the weather and avoid unnecessary
watering. In addition, some models
allow you to program the exact type of
grass or vegetation to help keep tabs on
lawn and fl ower bed moisture levels and
make automatic adjustments to strike a
perfect balance between drying out and
oversaturating.
Explore more health-conscious solutions
for your home at MitsubishiComfort.
com.
Courtesy Family Features