Besides having a healthy lifestyle, have you thought about having a healthy home? Homes have a significant impact on our well-being as we spend most of our lives in our homes, almost two-thirds. But this number has increased due to the pandemic and many people working remotely from home too. And now that the colder weather is moving in, cold and flu season is kicking into gear! Start with these home improvement projects if you want to create a healthy environment and a healthy home.
Healthy Home Project #1: Change your air filters for MERV 13 filters
Your home’s air quality should be your number one priority when it comes to a healthy home, and your basic air filters won’t cut it anymore. MERV 13 air filters are highly efficient as they capture smaller airborne particles like viruses, mold, bacteria, and allergens, compared to the lower-rated MERV 8s found in most single-family homes. The CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend MERV 13 or better filters. They cost between $40 to $60 for a multipack and need to be replaced every three months. Your basic air filter is designed to protect the equipment, so upgrade your filter to one that protects your home too.
Healthy Home Project #2: Invest in air purifiers
Another way to improve the air quality in your home is through air purifiers. One option is to install a whole house purification system, which can cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000. The other option, and more cost-effective, is to invest in smaller, portable air purifiers and place them around the house. With this option, it’s important to choose filters with HEPA filters as they’ll remove more than 99% of dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. Depending on the purifier you choose, it can be as cheap as $50 to as expensive as $300 for each device.
An air quality monitor would also be a wise investment as you can know what pollutants are in your home’s air. This gives you control of what enters your home and how and might also help reduce your COVID risk at home. Outdoor air, operable windows, portable air purifiers, and air quality monitors are all solutions to help reduce the chance of getting respiratory viruses like COVID or the flu. Most air quality monitors are a few hundred dollars and can be app-controlled.
Project #3: Invest in a water filter
Besides air quality, water quality comes next in importance. If you’re living in a home built in the ‘70s or earlier, there’s a big chance your plumbing fixtures contain lead. The options can be filtering water with a whole house filtration system or using smaller water filters at the tap or refrigerator. Whole house systems will cost a few thousand dollars, while small water filters are around $30, like a Brita filter. Tap water can also contain contaminants like heavy metals, organic compounds, chlorine, and other harmful pollutants, so a filter is so important.
Project #4: Replacing carpet with wood or tile
A new report by Harvard researchers found that carpet holds onto dirt, dust, and chemicals. These pollutants then get released into the air when you walk across it. Carpet is also the perfect home for mold and mildew since they trap moisture. If replacing the flooring isn’t an option, invest in a HEPA vacuum cleaner and vacuum regularly. Vacuums with a HEPA filter will trap dust particles before they’re released into the air.
Free Ways to Create a ‘Healthy’ Home
If the previously mentioned home projects aren’t in your budget, don’t worry–here are a couple of free ways to improve your home’s health. First, open the windows more often! This will better the home’s ventilation which will improve air quality and overall health. The second option is to bring in more natural light. Natural light helps us regulate our circadian rhythm, which helps regulate our sleep quality, hormone health, and mental health, all essential aspects to a healthy body!
If you want to buy a ‘healthy’ home this season, contact us Prism Realty today! We’re here to offer our expertise and help you achieve your real estate goals.
