Is Your Home Making You Sick?—Home Health, Simplified
30+ neighbors and home health experts gathered online last night for Home Health, Simplified to discuss practical ways to improve indoor air quality, reduce pollution, and create a healthier, more comfortable home.
We covered the 8 principles of a healthy home, how everyday cooking can affect indoor air quality, and practical steps families can take right away. Community members asked great questions—from must-dos for households with asthma, to finding trusted solar installers and energy-efficiency and heat-pump contractors, to how much air filters really matter.
Key takeaway: weatherization isn’t just about energy savings, it’s directly linked to better health outcomes for children.
Start making your home healthier today by signing up for a free Bedford 2030 energy coaching session to get personalized solutions that can make your home healthier, more comfortable, and more efficient.
Panelists:
Kevin Kennedy: Environmental Health Scientists
Bob Fischman: Bedford 2030 Energy Coach
Jill Farr: Local Homeowner
Cynthia Braun: Local Homeowner
Mariah Okrongly: Local Homeowner & Bedford 2030 Executive Director
Timestamps:
0:00: Midge Iorio, Program Director, introduction and welcome
0:35: Bedford 2030 mission
1:10: Panelist introductions by Midge: Kevin Kennedy, Bob Fischman, Jill Far, Cynthia Braun, and Mariah Okrongly
3:48-10:55: Kevin Kennedy, indoor air quality expert, on designing buildings for healthy people. Learn what pollutes indoor air and the eight strategies for optimal home health.
11:14-20:13: Bob Fischman, Bedford 2030’s Energy Coach, on general building science and how Energy Coaching can help you improve the health and efficiency of your home.
20:14-25:29: Jill Farr, first-time home owner, on Energy Coaching with Bob and creating a high-performance home
25:39-30:39: Cynthia Braun, local homeowner, on Energy Coaching with Bob and getting heat pumps and solar
31:00-35:36: Mariah Okrongly, Bedford 2030 Executive Director and local homeowner, on getting new insulation, solar, and her ROI
Q&A
36:00-41:36 – Q: How do oil tanks/oil burners impact a home’s health?
41:46-49:54 Q: I have a son with asthma. Any must-dos in my home?
49:54-51:39 Q: Which is a better way to heat my home, mini-splits or a wood-burning stove?
51:40-54:23 Q: I have an older house that has a combo of an oil furnace, forced air, radiant heat, and electric baseboards. We also have a lot of tree cover and a cedar shingle roof. Is it worth trying to update the house and make it energy efficient?
54:24-1:04:01 Q: How can I know my air quality? How can I get it tested?
1:04:04-1:06:32 Q: I live in a condo, and so have no control over the building envelope. We have a HEPA filter—are these effective at cleaning the air?
1:06:34-1:09:32 Q: You mentioned the envelope of my home being important for air quality. Does that include siding? I have very old vinyl siding and am curious if that’s a problem.
1:10:46-1:11:53 Q: What’s a good place to find solar or heat pump providers?
Have further questions? Email us at info@bedford2030.org, and we’ll connect you with an expert.