8 Home Improvements That Will Improve Your Health

Buying a gym membership or starting a diet could put you on the right track for improving your health. However, if your home isn’t healthy, you might not see the results you want overall. Often, invisible germs and allergens make us unwell without our knowing.

You can scrub your house from top to bottom — unless you make some improvements, you and your family’s well-being could be far from satisfactory. Here are eight home improvement projects you can do today to live healthier.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Upgrading your HVAC system to a programmable thermostat saves energy and heating and cooling costs. It is also beneficial for your health.

For instance, a programmable thermostat remembers your preferred daytime and nighttime settings and automatically adjusts according to indoor temperature.

Program your thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit at night for improved sleep quality. Experts agree it is the best temperature range for thermal comfort.

Change Air Filters

Clean air filters trap allergens and contaminants through the air ducts and prevent them from spreading in your home. A dirty filter could negatively affect someone with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

Swapping out dirty air filters is an easy home improvement, taking up very little of your time. It is best to replace air filters every three months to maintain a healthy household.

In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends the HEPA filter, which can effectively capture and remove 85.38% to 99.97% of COVID-19 infections from the air.

Eliminate Mold and Mildew

If you live in a climate with heavy precipitation and humidity, you may have mold and mildew growth in your home. An older house is particularly prone to moisture from roofs, walls and pipes.

Black mold, in particular, may increase allergy symptoms, including running nose, itchy eyes, shortness of breath, congestion and dry cough.

Ensure your home’s humidity levels are below 50% to avoid mold growth. Also, repair your home’s plumbing, seal cracks in the walls, windows and roof and remove wet carpeting and drywall.

Remove Carpeting

You might want to reconsider laying down on your living room carpet. There are about 91,000 colony-forming units of germs per gram of dust in carpeting — 95% of which are bacteria. From a different perspective, rugs have six times more germs than toilet seats. Typically, carpet contaminants consist of human hair, skin cells and plastics.

You can significantly improve your household’s health and well-being by replacing the carpeting with hardwood floors, tiles or luxury vinyl flooring.

Create a Backyard Oasis

Remember to show your backyard some love when making home improvements for your health. Studies show green spaces are highly effective nature-based interventions for mental well-being.

Add comfortable seating, intimate lighting and greenery to make your backyard a relaxing escape. Even smaller areas can transform into beautiful gardens. Painted flower pots or vertical planters can also add a pop of color to your patio.

Reinsulate

Depending on how old your home’s insulation is, it may be time to reinsulate. Insulation improves indoor temperature, especially during winter when your house may be susceptible to drafts. It also helps block outdoor noise pollution for quieter relaxation.

Different types of insulation have varying life spans. For example, cellulose lasts 20 to 30 years, while fiberglass insulation can last 80 to 100 years in the right conditions. However, weather, water damage and mold may degrade insulation more quickly.

Checking your insulation every 15 years and adding new insulation can reduce the number of sick days you experience and other respiratory problems.

Seal Cracks and Leaks

Sealing cracks around windows and doors is another way to increase indoor comfort. Caulking wears over time, letting cold air into your home and increasing your risk of getting sick.

Difficulty closing and opening windows is a sign they might need replacing. High energy bills also indicate your HVAC system is working harder than it should because of cold air leaks. Likewise, condensation buildup and fog imply you have to reseal.

Choose Healthy Paint for Your Home

Revamping your home with VOC-free paint beautifies your living space and promotes a healthier environment. VOC-free paint, devoid of volatile organic compounds, is a sustainable and health-conscious choice.

This eco-friendly paint option ensures cleaner indoor air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and allergic reactions. It’s especially beneficial for households with children, elderly members, or those with sensitivities.

Opt for VOC-free paint in your next home renovation project to create a safer, more comfortable living environment. Experience the peace of mind that comes with using products that are kind to your health and the planet.

Remove Radon

Like carbon monoxide, radon is a silent killer — a radioactive gas derived from Earth and water. While it doesn’t pose much risk outside, this invisible element can leech inside your home through cracks and holes.

About one in 15 U.S. homes have high levels of radon. Unfortunately, 21,000 annual lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon exposure — about 14% of the 300,000 cases.

Seal all gaps and cracks with a gas-tight polyurethane sealant to decrease radon entering your home. An expert specialist should also install a radon mitigation system to draw radon out of the house and prevent new radon from entering. Radon mitigation systems can decrease radon below 2 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) — the EPA recommends mitigation at 4 pCi/L.

Update Your Home for Better Health

You don’t have to take on expensive home improvement projects to improve your health. Minor fixes can significantly affect indoor air quality, safety and comfort. Walk through your house and look for places where bacteria, germs and other harmful toxins could be lurking.