Mold and mildew can not only cause structural problems in a home, they are the cause of many illnesses and allergies – making them one of your home’s worst enemies. Cleaning and getting rid of mold can be a very difficult, expensive, and time consuming project. If you’re building a new energy efficient home, an important consideration in its construction is controlling moisture to prevent mold and mildew buildup.There are two types of moisture that can enter a home: bulk moisture and vapor moisture. Bulk moisture can get into a home around windows, doors, and leaks in the roof, as well as from condensation from pipes and ducts. Vapor moisture forms as a result of cooking, showering (yes, those long, hot showers), laundry, changes to the humidity level in the home, and just general living.
How do green homes manage moisture? A few ways are by having:
- A well-designed floor plan and careful placement and orientation of the home on the lot to take advantage of solar access and shading;
- Energy efficient insulation system to keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer which heps reduce condensation and mold growth;
- Well-sealed, energy efficient windows and doors;
- Good ventilation with heat recovery ventilation (HRV) units and extraction fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Moisture control starts with the green home design. Talk to an architect about your plans to build a healthy, energy efficient home for your family and build a new home that manages moisture and prevents mold!
3 comments:
It’s kind of funny to think that there are molds in a green home. Yes, fungi are natural elements, but they aren’t included in the objectives of a green home. “…an important consideration in its construction is controlling moisture…” - Like what you said, an energy efficient home is leak-proof, which is the first step to eliminating moisture inside the house. It shows that green homes aren’t just for saving on bills, (well, maybe on hospital bills!) but also for promoting a health-friendly atmosphere.
Tyrone Nold
Prevention has always been better than cure. Black mold poisoning is very harmful, and the first step in preventing it is to do take the necessary preventive measures to keep it from occurring in your home. Always keep your home dry. Keep a very close eye on cupboards, especially around sinks and plumbing fixtures which is most likely to develop moisture and humidity. We wouldn't want our families to have panic attacks, tremors, and many other symptoms of black mold poisoning.
Carlene Maysonet
You should always remember that the longer before you make an action, the bigger the problem you may encounter. So, in order to avoid dealing with complicated mold problems in the future, you must deal with them without further ado. This will prevent you from spending more time, effort, and of course, money.
Diane Blackburn
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