Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Australians spend at least 90% of their time indoors. As our energy-conscious homes and office buildings are being built more tightly and with better insulation, indoor air quality and proper ventilation have become important health issues. In some instances, the air we breathe, indoors,may be more polluted than the outdoor air ! A 'Healthy Building' is designed not only to improve the indoor air quality, but improve the building's energy efficiency.

A Healthy House is all about choices. People with asthma and allergies might be particularly interested in pursuing many of the technologies that make up a 'Healthy House'. Others may want to take just a few steps, such as eliminating carpets, choosing household products more carefully, or controlling humidity to prevent dustmites.

Building a 'Healthy House' is not restricted by house design. Some issues to be conisdered in building a 'healthy house' are:

• Avoid the use of any building products that could cause health problems to the occupants,
• Examine ways to eliminate certain pollutants by separating them from the indoor environment,
• Recommend the use of certain building products and building technologies that will improve the indoor air quality of the home,
• Introduction of a proper mechanical balanced ventilation system - Critical areas in the house such as the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry can create substantial pollution and high humidity levels, which need to be eliminated by means of ventilation, and
• Insulating and sealing a house off properly is all part of the 'Healthy House' concept and will not only result in a more comfortable living space, but also reduced running costs.