Living in a comfortable and healthy home is increasingly important to most of today’s new homeowners. Since the home is a relatively closed environment, good indoor air quality requires attention on the part of the builder to reduce the risk of future problems.
You Need Fresh Air
Irritants and pollutants like pet dander, dust, pollen and bacteria are a fact of living in a home and can cause allergies and respiratory problems. Providing filtration for the home, and a source of fresh outside air, are two means maintain air quality.
All Battlefield Homes come standard with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Rating Value) 11 filter that reduces mold, pollen, bacteria, dust and dander. MERV ratings are a specification of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which recommends MERV 6 or higher. MERV filters are rated from 1-20, with the higher numbers equating to better removal of finer particles. A MERV 11 filter is designed to reduce not only large particles but also the fine particles of airborne contaminants. Industry experts consider a MERV 8 to be the “better” filter and a MERV 11 to be the “best,” removing pollen, dust mites, dust, carpet fibers, mold, humidifier dust and even auto emissions.
As a standard, we also include a ventilation control system that manages the quality of indoor air by bringing outside air in while monitoring outdoor temperature and indoor humidity to make sure the air coming into the home is fresh, reducing moisture problems, odors and pollutants. This system will bring in fresh air when needed and refuse to allow air in that is too hot, too cold or too humid (above 55% relative humidity).
Keep the Bad Stuff Out – Home Sealing
The intrusion of air and water through a home can produce mold and cause respiratory problems and temperature discomfort.
All Battlefield Homes come standard with the ZIP System© exterior sheathing from the top of the basement wall to the top of all framed walls, with all joints taped with a proprietary tape. The ZIP system, which replaces and improves upon the standard builder house wrap, effectively seals out the elements. It is a vapor-permeable, water-resistive barrier that does away with the typical house wrap (that’s the stuff you see torn and blowing in the wind on many homes).
Zip and its tape are integrated into the structural layer of the home and won’t tear or blow off. Zip also provides an enhanced permanent air barrier and an additional level of thermal resistance that enhances the total insulation value of the home.
Additionally, all Battlefield Homes are framed so that the exterior sheathing extends over and covers the outside of floor systems, fully down to the foundation wall. This additional step means that the “building envelope” is truly an envelope – one continuous, uninterrupted layer of sheathing with very little opportunity for air or water penetration.
Our homes have consistently performed at Energy Star (and better) standards. Our model home, using standard insulation and our standard ZIP system, scored a 57 HERS rating, an excellent score without any increased cost.
Get out the Mop! Clean Surfaces
Flooring is a primary area of concern for contaminants in the home, from dirt that can become embedded and from the release of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), gases emitted from chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
The EPA airPLUS© guide recommends hard surface flooring at the entry and in baths, kitchens and laundry rooms because they are easier to clean. All Battlefield Homes include hardwood entries and hard flooring in wet areas, easy to clean and hypoallergenic.
Battlefield Homes’ standard carpet products carry the Green Label Plus© certification by the Carpet and Rug Institute, a designation that ensures the lowest emissions of VOCs on the market.
Additional Options
For serious allergy sufferers and customers who are interested in even more stringent air quality, we offer a number of options, including air purifiers, powered energy recovery ventilators, humidifiers, additional hard flooring options and ceramic tile, radon mitigation, and water treatment, filtration and purification systems.