3 Health-Boosting Home Upgrades That Make Your House a Better Place to Live

Image via Unsplash

Guest Author: Curtis Fisher |

According to the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, the healthiest of houses are clean, pest-free, well-ventilated, and free of potential contaminants and excess moisture.

If there’s excess moisture in your home, for instance, you could experience respiratory issues, and your house could become a breeding ground for mites, mold, rodents, and other common allergy triggers. However, excess moisture may damage your home as well—leading to structural issues and chipped or peeling paint.

If your home was built prior to 1978, your family could be exposed to traces of lead once the paint begins to chip or peel away. As such, controlling the moisture in your home is crucial to the health and well-being of your family.

If you’re worried about the health and safety of your home, there are several upgrades you can make to create a happier and healthier living space for you and your family. Read on to explore these upgrades in greater detail!

1. Opt for a Central Air Conditioning Unit

As discussed above, exposure to excess moisture at home can lead to a variety of health issues—ranging from asthma and other respiratory concerns to worsening allergy symptoms. However, the use of a central air conditioning unit can help to control the excess moisture and humidity in your home—which in turn prevents mold growth, improves indoor air quality, and purifies the air to keep germs from spreading.  Well-maintained AC units offer the greatest health benefits, so you’ll want to remember to change your air filter regularly and keep the system clean and sanitized.

While installing a new central air conditioning unit may be just the upgrade you need to make your home a healthier and more comfortable place to live, note that you’ll need to spend anywhere between $1,700 and $10,900 on the cost of your new AC system. While the cost of a new central AC unit isn’t cheap, specific installation fees vary depending on the following:

• The size, type, and brand of the AC unit you choose (brands range from $1,400 to $3,400)
• The difficulty of the installation and whether new ductwork will be needed
• The types of materials needed
• Labor costs associated with removing and disposing of the old AC unit

When you’re ready to install your new unit, look for an experienced HVAC installer in your area, as this upgrade cannot be completed without professional assistance.

2. Filter Your Water

In addition to installing a new central air conditioner, filtering your water will protect your household members from the heavy metals, chemicals, and other contaminants commonly found in tap water. Bottled water is thought to be a healthier alternative to drinking unfiltered tap water, but the negative environmental impact of plastic bottles far outweighs any potential health advantages. As such, installing a home water filtration system can be a great upgrade to invest in—especially if you’re tired of using a water pitcher or countertop water cooler.

Depending on the brand, complexity, and water filtration type, the cost of installing a whole-house water filtration system can range between $750 and $2,500. To ensure that the job gets done correctly, it’s best to hire a licensed plumber to assist you.

3. Soundproof Your Home

Whether you prefer peace and quiet at home or suffer from stress, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), soundproofing your home improves your mental health and well-being and makes your house a more comfortable place to live. While the cost of soundproofing your home will vary depending on the amount and type of materials used (the drywall work alone can cost over $1,000), specific project costs will also depend on whether you choose to soundproof your walls, doors, ceilings, or windows—and whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. For larger soundproofing jobs, you’ll typically want to hire a professional contractor.

After you’ve soundproofed all or part of your home, added a whole-house water filtration system, and installed a new central AC unit, you’ll soon begin to experience the many health benefits of upgrading your home. These home upgrades may seem fairly simple, but they can make a world of difference when it comes to making your house a happier and healthier place to live.

About the Author: 
Curtis Fisher | tradesbright.org
curtis@tradesbright.org