What You Should Know About Indoor Air Quality.

What you should know about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

“IAQ is the quality of air inside a building. It is measured by the concentration of pollutants and thermal conditions that could potentially impact peoples’ health, satisfaction, and productivity. Breathing healthy air is crucial for avoiding health complications like headaches, eye irritation, allergies, and fatigue.”¹

Your indoor air quality (IAQ) is determined by the airtightness of your home, ventilation systems, moisture exposure, and the building materials used to construct your home. Here’s the catch, even if you build a green home, everyday consumer products can compromise your homes’ indoor air quality. This blog will teach you about how a Landmark Home actually maintains healthy indoor air conditions, long after you take possession.

The bad guys: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are cancer-causing agents that off gas from finishes, furnishings, building materials, and common household items such as air fresheners, scented candles, hairspray, cleaning products and so on. It’s been proven that we are exposed to the highest levels of VOCs at home. Indoor air pollution has been linked to respiratory and heart disease, headaches, lethargy and dizziness.²

So, how do we ensure our homes have clean indoor air, free from harsh chemicals? Sustainable green materials and products are a step in the right direction. We also want to bring awareness to the ways Landmark Homes builds differently to combat these harmful toxins before they develop.

As homeowners, and family members–we care about the what is actually green and health-forward. Which is why we provide rigorous 3rd party testing and certifications to ensure the homes we build are truly delivering (and maintaining) the healthiest indoor air quality possible for your family, and ours.

Airtight Building Envelope

Our homes are super sealed and built to the millimetre. An airtight home means protection from the outdoors. Our homes are sealed to ensure you and your family are not exposed to outdoor pollutants, rodents and insects. A well-insulated home means you save money and breathe healthier indoor air. Learn more!

High-Performance Ventilation

Proper ventilation improves the IAQ by removing odors, moisture, and toxins from the air, and maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout your home. A well-ventilated home means all components in your mechanical system work together to maintain safe humidity levels, which is important for preventing mold and other toxins. Learn more about our unique hi-velocity system!

Household VOCs & Chemical Air Pollution

Our hi velocity filter catches micro-sized allergens and particles, and actually kills chemical off-gassing and high levels of (VOCs) which contributes to both short- and long-term health effects. Learn more about our Medical Grade IAQ here!

Ultra low VOCs & Formaldehyde Free Building Materials

We have consciously made interior and structural material selections and that give off little to no VOC emissions. VOC’s are vapours that release toxic chemicals into the air we breathe and can negatively impact our health. For example, all of our cabinetry is certified CARB2 compliant and finished with organic water-based thinners to ensure low VOC emissions and safe IAQ. Learn more about our cabinets!

In addition to our healthy cabinetry, our carpet selections are certified safe for a healthy home & made in part with renewable plant-based resources. As well as behind you walls, the structure of your home is made with engineered lumber that is steam pressed and bonded together with formaldehyde free adhesive.

Healthy indoor air quality at home is more important than ever. We care about you and your family’s well-being. This is why life is better in a Landmark Home.

Ask us a Question!

^Resources:

^{1. https://spot.ul.com/blog/addressing-indoor-environmental-quality-in-buildings-part-1/}

^{2. Stelmack, Annette, et al. Sustainable Residential Interiors. Wiley, 2014.}