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KC Health Home Spotlights Fitness of Today’s Homes

Thanks to new technologies and a focus on energy savings, new homes are safer and more resource efficient than ever. Yet despite these improvements, emphasis on reducing both energy consumption and air infiltration can at times lower your home’s indoor air quality. The KC Health Home built by H&S Covenant Homes featured on the 2008 Spring Homes Tour aims to bring to light the challenges posed in improving indoor air quality while keeping homes safe and efficient.

The KC Health Home was the inspiration of H&S Covenant president Frank Pikus. Two years ago his son was diagnosed with asthma and Pikus spent nearly a year researching building techniques designed to make homes healthier. Pikus discovered the Health House program established by the American Lung Association that promotes the use of environmentally friendly building materials, reduced energy consumption and improved indoor air quality. Today, H&S Covenant is one of a handful of builders nationwide certified to build Healthy House homes.

The first KC Health Home includes an all-concrete exterior, a Lennox high-efficiency air filtration and ventilation system, Icynene open-cell spray foam insulation, low-VOC paint and Pella high-performance energy-efficient windows. Advanced building materials such as BluWood – a treated lumber designed to resist the threat of mold, fungus and insects – add additional protection.

The home has already garnered its first honor, receiving a Pacesetter Award from Custom Home magazine. The Pacesetter Awards recognize outstanding custom builders for their achievements in design, production management, community service, marketing and business management. The KC Health Home won in the outstanding innovation category.

The home will also serve as an educational tool for experts in the medical, architectural and construction fields. A series of KC Health Home Symposiums will be held to illustrate how indoor environments can improve physical health and how homes can take advantage of energy- and resource-efficient designs.

The elegant and tastefully designed French Country home is located in Overland Park’s The Woods of Colton Lake at 10815 W. 153rd Terrace. The home is entry No. 311 on the 2008 Spring Homes Tour.

This year’s Spring Homes Tour opens May 4 and continues through May 18 with homes open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to homes during the tour is free. There are 657 homes featured on this year’s tour throughout the metropolitan region. For more information including additional details and photos of the KC Health Home, visit the tour online at www.kcspringhomestour.com.

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