Is Your Home Making You Sick?

If you’ve ever wondered whether your home might be affecting your health, you’re not alone. One of the fastest-rising Google searches among homeowners is: 'Is my home making me sick?’ 

Indoor air quality is a top risk to public health, and the place you spend most of your time is probably your home. Air quality and energy efficiency are both vital to your home, and the two are closely connected. 

Energy efficiency goes hand in hand with Healthy Home Technology. At Homes by Taber, every home is built with features designed to support healthier living, including a whole-home air filtration system, fresh air intake, roof ventilation, low VOC paint, and termite bait stations. While these homes are tightly sealed to keep utility costs low and maximize energy efficiency, that same airtight construction can poorly impact indoor air quality. Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up, creating ideal conditions for mold to develop. 

Homes by Taber has taken the steps to build homes that can maintain healthy air, and if properly maintained, homeowners will not need to worry about their safe havens making them ill. Read on to discover the features added to Taber homes to keep families safe and what behaviors you can adopt as a homeowner to keep it that way. 

Moisture Buildup and How Homes by Taber Resolves It 

• HVAC Size and Lack of Assessment 

The size and run time of your HVAC system can affect moisture levels in your home. If the system is too small, it will not provide adequate airflow. If it is too large, it may cycle on and off too quickly, allowing excess moisture to remain indoors and eventually leading to mold growth. 

Homes by Taber hires a specialized energy efficiency professional to assess every floor plan and establish the proper size of the HVAC system, going far beyond the outdated calculations used by some HVAC companies. Each Taber home receives a slab to shingle Manual J analysis to assess the HVAC. In this assessment, the heating and cooling are taken into consideration in relation to the insulation, lighting, and characteristics of the home. This testing ensures that the HVAC is the proper size for the home, resulting in less moisture build up in the home that could lead to mold. 

• Improper use of Ventilation Systems 

Proper ventilation is essential for protecting your home’s air quality and preventing mold. Moisture from showers and cooking can build up inside, leading to unhealthy air and even structural damage over time. 

That’s why every Taber home is built with high-performing ventilation systems. In the kitchen, a vent hood above the cooktop removes smoke, grease, odors, and steam, sending them outside instead of recirculating them into your home. This keeps the air cleaner and prevents moisture from lingering. 

Bathroom vents are commonly used to reduce unpleasant odors. Did you know that their actual use is to remove moisture from the air in these spaces? Each Taber bathroom is equipped with a built-in vent fan designed to draw out warm, damp air. By running the fan before, during, and after a shower, you can maintain a fresher environment while reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth.  

• Previous Occupant Behaviors 

One of the dangers of buying a used home is that you do not know how the previous occupants lived. If they have an HVAC that is too large, take hot steamy showers without the bathroom vent on, or cook without using their vent hood, it's likely that house has mold and moisture growth.  

Buying new with Homes by Taber means you’re the very first to live in your home without hidden issues from previous owners. From day one, you can set the standard for healthy living, helping prevent moisture and mold so your family can enjoy a safer, cleaner environment. 

• Toxic Chemicals 

The air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than outdoors. The EPA says adults breathe about 3,000 gallons of air each day and spend 90% of their time indoors. Poor air quality can cause headaches, fatigue, and congestion, and even lead to respiratory issues. In a used home, the air can contain dust mites, mold, carbon monoxide, pet dander, and chemicals from candles, cleaners, and furniture. No matter how much you clean, you’re fighting a losing battle unless the air is filtered. 

Homes by Taber’s air filtration system purifies the air throughout your home. Using a MERV 13 air filter, the same standard used in hospital labs, it removes microscopic particles and cleans the air about 100 times more than competitors’ systems. It brings in fresh outdoor air, maintains balanced pressure, and keeps airflow steady and quiet. 

Paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOC), and these VOCs emit odors and pollutants for weeks or even months after a new home is built. VOCs can negatively contribute to overall air quality in a home. 

Homes by Taber uses low VOC paint on all walls throughout the home to contribute to increased air quality for the homeowners. 

Many homes either lack termite protection or rely on treatments filled with toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Homes by Taber protects your investment with the Trelona Bait Station System, a non-toxic, long termite solution recognized by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as the best technology available. It provides safe and reliable protection without the health risks of chemical sprays.  

A Healthy Home for a Healthy You 

When you move into a new Taber home, you are choosing a healthy lifestyle. With Homes by Taber, you’re not just buying a beautiful new house, you’re investing in a healthier place to live. In a home with air systems that support your wellness, you can live with peace of mind that your home is making a difference in your life. 

If you’re ready to make your next home a healthier one, take some time to explore the available Homes by Taber communities and new homes in Oklahoma, or call (405) 984-1185 or fill out the online form today for more information.