Build Well. Live Well.

by Chatham Homes 11/11/2022

Building, Construction, Design, Sponsored Content

This is a sponsored article from SustainabilityTracker.com member Chatham Homes.

Building a home is one of the largest investments of a lifetime, so why do we view health and sustainability as a nice to have? If we dedicated an iota of the time we agonised over colour swatches considering what goes into the paint we would all be better off.

To thrive, we need an environment which nurtures us. Which is why Chatham is dedicated to building healthy homes. But what exactly does it mean to own a healthy home?

A home that’s considered ‘healthy’ includes materials, features and design elements that reduce an occupants exposure to harmful toxins, improves quality of life, and seeks to minimise environmental impact and protect occupants from future environmental extremes.

Many of us are unaware of just how harmful issues like poor indoor air quality, gas cooktops, and the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from conventional flooring, carpets, and cabinetry, can be. Not to mention that Australia’s still building 4 in every 5 new houses to no more than the minimum energy standard of 6 stars, with only 1.5% of new homes built to an optimum economic and energy performance of 7.5+ natHERS stars.

Building well has never been more important when you consider the effects of climate change and the government’s response to it. For instance, Australia’s building ministers recently met and agreed to raise the nation’s energy efficiency minimum standards for residential houses from a minimum 6 star efficiency to 7 star efficiency rating, which will come into effect in 2023.

What are some of the key features of a healthy home?

Avoiding Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

At Chatham Homes, we use low VOC glues, grouts and membranes in all our homes because they’re free from dangerous chemicals, are healthier for our environment and are made from natural minerals. Alongside this, we prefer Haymes Low VOC paints, because they’re 99% VOC free and emit no odours or fumes. We also use lab tested carpet that is 5 times lower and flooring that’s 33 times lower in formaldehyde than the greenest standards available today.

Thermal Efficiency

We use premium double and triple-glazed aluminium or uPVC windows to assist with noise pollution and temperature control. We caulk bedroom windows and skirting boards to reduce air leaks. When it comes to the structure of your home, we recommend Hebel panels instead of bricks which also improves overall thermal performance. Our insulation exceeds the NCC
industry standard of R2.0 in the walls and R4.0 in the ceiling, so you can expect less heat loss in winter and less heat gain in summer.

Filtered Air and Water

At Chatham Homes, we install a Delos Air Filtration System and a Delos Water Filtration as standard to keep your air clean and water pure. We install an air filtration system as standard in all our homes, because it significantly reduces pollution and toxins. We also install a water filtration system, which filters the water of your whole home (kitchen, bathroom, laundry—everything) in 3-stages, eliminating impurities while keeping the essential minerals that contribute to our wellbeing.
We have also built an air-tight home with continuous mechanical ventilation to bring fresh, conditioned air into the home and mitigate internal moisture build up.

All-Electric

To protect the indoor air quality of your home, it’s advisable to choose electricity instead of gas for your power and appliances. In Australia, the move towards all-electric homes has really started to take off, with rebates, all-electric estates and general education driving uptake. We offer quality solar panels with a powerful integrated home battery solution that allows you to store and manage clean energy more efficiently.

Our display in Lucas has achieved an incredible 8.2-star energy rating by using the latest sustainable technologies, materials, building methods and appliances. Not only is this a win for the environment, but because the home consumes 55% less energy than the standard Aussie home, the cost of running it is significantly minimised.

Chatham Homes brand ambassador Jamie Durie

What are the benefits of building a healthy home?

Less risk to physical and psychological health from things like, gas cooktops and heaters, poor indoor air quality, and noise pollution. A healthy home has the potential to reduce our exposure to mould, carcinogenic pollutants and pollen by up to 99%. Increased energy efficiency means you can expect less heat loss in winter, less heat gain in summer, which both reduces your energy consumption and keeps the home above the 18 degrees recommended by WHO for cold seasons.

An unhealthy home is concerning when you consider we spend 90% of our time indoors. A home is the most important purchase of your life. And you deserve the reassurance that you’re making the right choice.

This is an article from a SustainabilityTracker.com Member. The views and opinions we express here don’t necessarily reflect our organisation.

by Chatham Homes

This a sponsored post published on behalf of Chatham Homes.