Healthy Home
Eco-friendly Recycling & Re-use
Renewable materials were used throughout the La Salle Home. In addition, because volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been linked to a wide range of chronic health problems, all materials inside the home, including interior paints, adhesives, sealants and insulation are non-VOC emitting.
Features
Renewable Materials
The La Salle Eco-Demonstration Home uses bamboo flooring. Bamboo is a fast growing and natural renewable tree-like grass that requires little maintenance to farm because it does not need pesticides or herbicides and also requires very little water to grow.
Recycling
Throughout the rehab process, waste materials were recovered, recycled, and/or re-used. Instead of building a new structure, the project reclaimed an existing structure, while reducing construction and demolition waste disposed of in landfills and incineration facilities. Materials recovered and reused included: salvageable wood flooring and trim from the house (reclaimed by Reclaim Detroit), as well as framing and plumbing materials. All cardboard was recycled.
Air Quality Systems
Features
Radon Collection and Exhaust System
Radon, found in many homes, is often coined ‘the silent killer.' It is classified as a class 1 carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and is one of the leading causes of lung cancer for nonsmokers. The La Salle Home features a passive radon extraction system that ensures that radon has an easy and harmless exit pathway from the house through the roof. Fun Fact: Wayne County (and many other counties throughout Michigan) provides free Radon testing kits for residents, so they can test their own homes!
Heat Recovery Ventilation System
The heat recovery ventilation system continuously exchanges the La Salle Home’s air with fresh outdoor air while simultaneously heating it, allowing the home to be filled with fresh air without losing too much indoor heat.
Energy efficient and moisture-reducing, this heat recovery ventilation system is engineered to prevent high condensation levels that encourage the growth of mold and mildew. Air filters in the system ensure that the indoor air quality remains excellent, detecting and filtering dust in the air.
This is a eco-friendly and cost-effective method of ventilation that does not release any carbon emissions.