3 health-conscious home updates worth the investment

(BPT) - The pandemic has brought new focus to home enhancements that not only add value, but also support wellness. Today's homeowners are investing in thoughtful improvements that prioritize safety and well-being, helping to substantially increase the home's health quotient.

Here are three, big-impact home improvements trending in 2021 that support health and safety:

Upgrade your home's water

From drinking and cooking to bathing and cleaning, water is in constant use in a home. Essential to life, high-quality water that helps your family live healthier is vitally important. However, many homes are plagued with poor water sources that may contain toxins or contamination. A good first step is to get your water tested — many communities and organizations offer free testing — and then determine necessary upgrades.

If taste or water quality is a concern, a filtered water system can help provide safe drinking water at the tap. If you have hard water, you may want to research systems that condition the water such as a water softener. These systems remove excess minerals and produce water that helps appliances run more efficiently and is easier on the skin and hair while bathing.

Keep in mind, older homes may require upgraded plumbing systems to replace aging and deteriorating pipes. One modern solution for repiping homes is using Uponor AquaPEX^®, a flexible polymer piping material that resists corrosion, pitting and scale buildup. Flexible pipe like this lasts longer and makes repiping easier, bending around corners and fitting into tight spaces without having to cut large holes in drywall.

Install a snow and ice melting system

Much of the nation faces seasonal snow and ice, which presents many challenges for homeowners. As winter weather begins to cover driveways and walkways, slip hazards increase, not to mention the risk of injury during removal. Hydronic radiant snow-removal and ice-melting systems are a smart solution that melts snow and ice quickly, eliminating the need to shovel and plow, as well as the use of toxic ice melt chemicals that are harmful to the environment.

How do they work? Installed by a professional, the Uponor residential snow and ice melting systems use durable PEX tubing buried in concrete, asphalt or a sand bed to circulate a warm water and glycol solution that heats the surface until it is warm enough to melt snow and ice. A simple on/off manual switch can control the system, or it can be fully automatic, sensing when melting is needed.

These systems improve the health and safety of a home by eliminating slippery ice and snow, which in turn reduces the likelihood of injuries, as well as the associated liability and lawsuits. The system also helps meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations if a home is opting to follow those standards. Plus, at the time of resale, it's a notable healthy home upgrade to catch the eye of a potential buyer.

Elevate air quality

When you heat or cool your home, conventional forced-air systems push treated air through ductwork in the walls and ceilings, which often circulates pollutants as well as dust and allergens that lower overall indoor air quality. This is a concern because Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, where the concentrations of some pollutants are two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.

A whole-home air filter system is worth considering for ongoing air treatment as well as other steps that reduce reliance on these systems. For example, hydronic radiant heating works by warming water at a heat source and circulating it through PEX piping installed beneath the floor. There is no fan to circulate dust, allergens and odors, so you can breathe easier while enjoying warmth and comfort.

In addition to improving your home's heating and air conditioning methods, it's important to take steps to limit new pollution in a home. When doing home projects, be mindful of using supplies and materials with high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can infiltrate the air you inhale. VOCs can be found in various home-building products, including paint, plywood, fabric, carpet and foam.

It may cost more to purchase items with low VOCs, but people are increasingly willing to make this investment to support home air quality.