Energy efficiency upgrades

Its great to check in with clients about their current energy bills and be able to tell them that by doing upgrades to their existing structure, they could end up saving hundreds of dollars per year. Replacing old toxic insulation with new and more natural insulation can not only help with energy costs but also improve your health. Adding a layer of natural plasters to the interior provides a zero VOC finish that will enhance the indoor environmental quality, promoting a healthy home.

Another great way that you can enhance your space for energy efficiency is to install thermal mass around your heat source. Thermal mass could be installed as cob or adobe around your fireplace, earthen floors especially near southern placed windows and even thicker plaster on walls to support your heating and cooling needs.

green additions

Green additions include; ADUs, AirBnbs, Outbuildings, Saunas, Outdoor kitchens, Offices, Studios, Meditation Rooms, etc. Why not build them to be ecological and harmonize with its surroundings. A small structure is a great candidate to explore this type of building practice, perhaps before building a larger structure like your home. ADUs and AirBnbs are becoming very popular as they lend themselves to passive income. Our team can help guide you in learning which zone you live in and what you can have on your property.

non toxic finishes

Healthy Home Artisans non toxic finishes include; natural plasters and natural paints. Natural plasters include; clay, lime or gypsum. Natural paints include; clay, lime, potassium silicate, milk paint, or lime wash. All of these finish options can be applied over various substrates including dry wall! Drywall is used on most conventional buildings and non toxic finishes are a great alternative to toxic latex paints which contribute greatly to the unhealthy indoor environmentally quality and the manufacturing process is very energy intensive. Our team can retrofit a standard drywall painted structure with non toxic finishes thus enhances your health and indoor air quality. Mechanical heating and cooling systems paired with toxic paints and finishes can lead to a toxic living environment. Upgrading your energy systems and finishes will not only save you money in the long run but could save you costs to your health and well being.

recycle + reclaim

Reclaim, reuse, recycle. These are practices that go hand in hand with sustainable building. We’ve had many clients pick out reclaimed materials that set the design parameter for the rest of the space. Taking time to source these materials and storing them until you are ready to build could be a great way to save some money in the building process. There are many materials that go to the waste stream daily, many of which are still usable. Healthy Homes can help incorporate reclaimed and recycled materials into your space, giving them new life .