WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2006--The pleasant "new home smell" wafting through your house could be a symptom of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) - a term that describes various medical conditions caused by hazardous chemicals, pathogens and other airborne contaminants found in many homes and office buildings. The World Health Organization estimates that 30% of new and remodeled buildings may suffer from SBS, which can produce headaches and nausea, aggravate asthma and allergies, and lead to life-threatening lung diseases. "The problem became acute in the '70s when many builders inadvertently sacrificed indoor air quality for energy conservation," says Nico Sarelli, Managing Director of Sutton Hill Homes of White Plains, New York. "In an attempt to seal in heated or cooled air, they also sealed in the hazardous chemicals contained in some building materials, and facilitated the spread of mold, mildew and viruses through poor ventilation. Today, you can build homes that are healthy and energy efficient using eco-friendly materials and technologies." Pollutant Found In Airborne Particles Carpets, Ducts Formaldehyde Resin-based Particleboard, Fiberboard, Cabinets, Countertops, Carpet, Fabric Mold & Mildew Air Conditioner, Humidifier, Heat Ducts Nitrogen Dioxide Wood-burning Stove & Fireplace Smoke Radon Gas Seeps Through Cracks in Foundation VOCS Carpet, Paint, Fabric Sutton Hill Homes is one of a handful of firms that uses only "green" construction materials, avoiding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde-based components. Using a panelized building process, the company constructs individual walls or sections of a home in a controlled indoor atmosphere, where materials can't be damaged by the weather or other factors. Sutton Hill's houses qualify for the Department of Energy's "Energy Star" rating, meaning they are at least 30% more efficient than a home built to the Model Energy Code. This is achieved through improved insulation, energy-efficient windows and "right-sized" heating and cooling equipment - including geothermal technology. "Although it may cost a little more to build an energy-efficient green home, buyers can recoup their investment in two to five years, thanks to fuel savings," says Sarelli. "And because houses are constructed with longer-lived materials, they require less maintenance and repair. Add the new IRS tax credits for homeowners who improve energy efficiency, and buyers are not just helping the environment, they're helping their bottom lines."
