Our homes are—in a very real sense—our primary environment. Americans spend 87 percent of their time indoors; nearly 70 percent of that time is spent at home. So, in addition to worrying about smokestacks and waste pipes, we should focus on the chemicals that lurk in our carpet, paints, and drywall. Today, a wealth of new resources make it easier for everyone—consumers and building professionals alike—to identify and avoid exposure to toxic chemicals.
VOCs became an issue several years ago when studies showed that smog and air pollution were not exclusively caused by cars and factories, but to a large extent by chemicals off-gassing from homes. This became particularly relevant when EPA studies showed that levels of VOCs in the home were 3-5 times higher than even outdoor air in a polluted city.
Many builders and homeowners have heard the common myths about green home remodeling and building, including that it is more expensive and the materials are limited and lower quality. On the contrary, eco-friendly building and remodeling is one of the absolute best investments you can make. Building an environmentally friendly house is highly economical in the long run, paying for itself with energy savings in under a decade as well as increasing home value.
Comfort and quality are key to restful sleep, and natural materials are key to your long-term health. Here’s a guide to mattress companies that are doing good for the earth and your health by using natural and eco-friendly materials.
Residential homebuilders Meritage and Hanley Wood set out to rethink the way homes are built. The result is a safer, more comfortable, healthier home that promotes family connectivity, integrates technology seamlessly and challenges the very materials and processes used in conventional construction.
By Heather Benjamin, Content Marketing Specialist, U.S. Green Building Council – originally featured on the USGBC’s Green Home Guide Putting a premium on indoor air quality and non-toxic materials, the homeowners of Right Sized Passive Home in Oak Park,...
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