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The health and wellness movement has permeated our society.  It includes daily exercise, healthy diet, organic foods and drinking in moderation. One of the slogans this past election was “Make America Healthy Again”, and it resonated. But what if your houses could also contribute to the health and wellness of your buyers? Wouldn’t that be a powerful sales tool for wellness-focused buyers?  This is especially true for the 55 and 65+ buyers.

What are some wellness features and principles for our homes?

• Low VOC paints and finishes
• Cleaner air
• Dust and humidity control
• Filtered water
• Outdoor living and Biophilia
• Circadian lighting and other sleep enhancements

Low VOC finishes

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. These are chemicals in our paint, carpet, cabinets, and even furniture that emit harmful chemicals into the air. Many manufacturers now offer low VOC products, but not all.  In addition to selecting as many low VOC products as possible, you can also run the HVAC system for at least a week prior to buyers moving in.

Clean Air

In most of the country, central heat and air conditioning in new homes is a given. Since it is an expectation, the quality of the system is often overlooked. Builders who focus on the systems they install can make this a selling feature and a competitive advantage.  Let’s start with the air filtering system. The choices vary widely from a cheap throw away filter, electrostatic filters, even a one-year filter.  A good practice is to install a fresh filter prior to residents moving in to remove any dust or debris from last minute sanding or sawing.

The placement of the HVAC unit also can impact air quality.  Older homes used to have the AC units in the garage – not exactly a room with high air quality. Consider an interior location central to the home that can be easily accessed for ease of changing the filter. Locating the unit in the attic saves interior space but makes changing a filter at the unit difficult leading to neglect. In rental units, HVAC equipment is often installed in a closet in the garage so maintenance staff can easily access the unit to change the filter. But this placement relies on the weathering stripping around the door which can become damaged.  Lastly, tightly-built homes are great for energy efficiency but can also trap interior air.  To combat this, some systems are designed to bring in outside air at specific intervals.

Dust and Humidity Control

Frequently changed air filters can help reduce dust and pet dander.  Consider adding a central vacuum system so that dust and dander get pulled into the unit in the garage and out of the house. Recent studies have shown that keeping the humidity in the home at or below 50% will keep mold and mildew growing on the dust and dander. My thermostat has a humidity level display. To keep the humidity in check, we also have a separate dehumidifies in the stairwell leading to the 4^th floor roof deck.

Filtered Water

Jacksonville, Florida has lots of great water for boating and other fun activities but not for drinking straight from the tap!  New construction here includes a water softener loop is an undisputed standard. But one builder has taken it a step further. He always includes a high-quality water softener in his homes. He says customers love it for the water quality and taste. He loves it because it protects the plumbing fixtures and appliances from mineral buildup in the one-year warranty period.

Another addition can be a reverse osmosis system, virtually eliminating all contaminants and salts from your water.

We’ll cover the rest of house wellness next week. In the meantime, have you adopted any practices in your own home in the name of health and wellness? I’d love to hear your own thoughts and experiences!