Green Building Ideas to Improve Indoor Air

Here are some green building ideas that will help maintain healthy indoor air in your home. Green construction methods can also decrease your energy usage too.

Radon

Radon gas is a major indoor air contaminate. It is estimated that 15% of all homes in the US have elevated levels of radon above the EPA's action level of 4pCi/L. But keep in mind that there action level is not a health based number. So the EPA suggests fixing homes even if the level falls between 2pCi/L and 4pCi/L since radon is a radioactive gas. Can you test before you build? Not really, but you can add a passive system that works as a safety valve to release this lung cancer causing gas.

Moisture

Excessive moisture invites an array of unwanted problems in our homes. Some of these major issues are pests, dust mites, rot and mold. Listed below are the 3 major sources of moisture problems in our homes.

Roofing or plumbing leaks and drainage issues because of poor landscaping.

Moisture build up due to cooking, bathing, washing clothes and house plants. Water vapor is also created by the burning of carbon fuels in stoves, water heaters, and fireplaces.

Humid air entering from the outside through open windows and through poorly sealed areas of the house.

Building Materials and Furnishings

Avoid products that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Also to be included are lead, asbestos, fiberglass, allergens and microorganisms.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide has become a concern with todays tighter built homes. Proper venting and and combustion make-up air are important elements to insure that CO don't build up in our homes.

Air Ventilation and Filtration

Proper ventilation of air trapped in a sealed home should be part of any IAQ strategy. Bathroom and kitchen ventilation are necessary to exhaust odors, moisture and pollutants. Heat recovery ventilators and energy recovery ventilators can be an excellent option allow fresh air in while exhausting problem laden air outside.

A simple furnace or air conditioning filter can serve to increase air quality in the home and of course more elaborate options are also available.

Cleaning Products

The products that we choose to clean our homes also have a direct bearing on the quality of our life.

Green building principles are really about sensible living. By educating ourselves and putting in to practice these green building ideas we will minimize health problems and help to better manage the planet we all have to share.