A look at indoor air quality in new homes

Yesterday was ‘Clean Air Day‘, a day to celebrate clean air and good health, and that goes for our homes too. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality is very important:

Whether you live in an apartment, townhome or single family home, an old home or are building a new home, there are many ways to protect and improve your indoor air quality.

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are a primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough fresh outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. [EPA]

There are many advantages to buying a new home, and indoor air quality is just one of them. Construction standards ensure that new homes are built with impeccable indoor air quality, which is important since 90 per cent Canadians’ time is spent indoors.

Did you know poor indoor air quality can have a detrimental effect on your health? Poor indoor air quality has been shown to make people feel tired and has even been shown to contribute to allergies and asthma. There are many factors that can contribute to indoor air quality, but brand new homes give you a clean fresh air, comfortable moisture levels and overall the best possible indoor environments.

• Construction and design: great indoor air quality starts with solid construction that ensures the prevention of moisture leaks and incorporates energy-efficient windows. With high building standards and the fact that new homes have never been lived in, you can be sure the construction is of the utmost quality.
• Ventilation: proper ventilation systems are built into every new home, using fans to dispose of stale or excess moisture in the air, caused by everyday living.
• Heating and cooling: the heating and cooling systems installed in brand new homes ensure the comfort level of the air for the homeowners, and can draw fresh air in while bringing stale air out.
• Building materials: by using the highest quality building materials, homebuilders can eliminate the introduction of toxins and pollutants into the home during the construction process.
• Finishings: by using non-toxic cleaning products and eco-friendly finishings, homebuilders can eliminate any extra toxins in the air.

Learn more about how Genesis builds homes, here.