Healthy Home Design
According to studies and reporting by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we spend a staggering 90 percent of our time indoors. Concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Most pollutants affecting indoor air quality come from sources inside buildings, although some originate outdoors.
In an average home, the pollutant level is normally low when people first enter the house, or after effective ventilation. However, after an extended period of time, daily activities can raise the level of humidity and CO2 to unhealthy levels that can cause headaches, dizziness and sleepiness and can contribute to long-term health issues such as asthma due to mold in the home.
Ventilation and shading can help control indoor temperatures. Ventilation can improve the quality of indoor air by removing or diluting indoor airborne pollutants coming from indoor sources. Shading reduces temperature and humidity which is also conducive to a healthy indoor environment.
How can you best “bring the outside in?” Skylights in conjunction with vertical windows remove polluted air from the home and promote an overall healthier environment for the inhabitants.
With rising use of smart-home technology to improve the way we live and increasing demand for products that improve home health, VELUX® Skylights introduced a new skylight automation system that aims to improve indoor air quality and create a comfortable living environment.
VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO is the first smart skylight system that works with solar powered or electric skylights. It works with IOS and Android and connects with Apple HomeKit, allowing homeowners to manage indoor climate control at home or remotely across all Apple devices. The system can be controlled using Siri, Apple’s voice-controlled intelligent assistant, or with the touch of a button on the Apple Home app.
Homeowners can now control their new or existing VELUX Skylights with this new technology. These skylights will automatically open two-to-three times daily to help remove stale, polluted air or adjust blinds to bring in or block natural light. How do they do it? Smart sensor technology monitors CO2, humidity levels and temperature in the home and data from local weather stations to automatically open the skylights if fresh air is needed. The system can also automate skylight blinds.
Consider improving the air quality of existing space by adding skylights with a smart home system to your home. It’s a worry-free way to ensure a comfortable healthier indoor environment.