Looking to turn your house into a healthy haven to protect your family from COVID-19? Green Builder, an award-winning trade magazine dedicated to responsible and sustainable construction, has some ideas for you. The magazine has been named “Best Residential Trade Magazine” by the National Association of Real Estate Editors for seven straight years. Recently, managing editor Alan Naditz posted a list of eight “standout, pandemic-proof products” for a healthier home. We wanted to share our favorite products from that list with you:
Smart Toilet
Kohler’s new intelligent toilet, Eir, has a one-click sanitizer button that activates electrolyzed water and ultraviolet light to clean the unit for what Naditz said is “unparalleled hygiene” against bacteria and viruses. There’s a bidet function, too. It uses a water filtration system that removes impurities, residual chlorine and heavy metals. Also included is a heated seat, customizable cleansing, a night light, hands-free lid opening and closing, automatic flush and a remote.
Read: Remodel Your Bathroom for Less Than $1,000
Open Sesame
The Wave Switch from Legrand allows you to turn lights on and off with the wave of your hand, minimizing the need to touch germ-prone surfaces. And, as Naditz points out, the switchless design makes it easy to turn on the lights when your arms are full or your hands are messy. It’s an easy, 15-minute do-it-yourself installation available in several colors. But, keep in mind, it does require a special wall plate.
Divide and Conquer
Bosch’s Climate 5000 series is designed for individual living spaces and rooms. It’s multi-part filtration system acts as a defense against allergens, odors, viruses and bacteria. In warm weather, the system sends inside heat outdoors. In cold months, it uses refrigerant that is naturally colder than outside temperatures to absorb the heat from outside and transfer it inside. The system does not require large-diameter duct work, so it can be retrofitted into existing homes with minimal construction.
A Clean Bathroom Leads to a Healthy Human
Broan’s Surface Shield Vital Vio® Powered exhaust fan has one light mode for standard illumination and another to kill bacteria. The modes can be run individually or together. The new model can be upgraded with an LED grille cover and light module, or you can install the unit with your choice of inclusions: just the fan, just the LED light, or just the standard bright while grille.
Germ-free Surfaces
The World Health Organization says the coronavirus can live on stainless steel surfaces for days. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to try out a hands-free faucet! Sonoma Forge’s Sans Hands model features an electromagnetic sensor to turn the water on and off, and the finish has antimicrobial properties. When your hands approach the faucet, the magnetic field is interrupted which signals a valve to release the flow of water. When you move away, the water stops. Simple, clean and germ-free!
Read: How Have Cleaning and Hygiene Habits Changed During COVID-19?
Pure Kills
Included with each of Carrier’s new flagship air conditioning and heat pump units is an air purifier that uses “capture and kill” technology to trap up to 95% of pollen, animal dander, bacteria and other pollutants. An electric charge then zaps the cell walls of the pathogens. Note: The purifier has not yet been tested against the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Source: homes.com