As we move into the winter season, you may notice that the summer humidity is gone and the lack-their-of is now causing other types of problems. Dry indoor conditions can be just as miserable as high humidity levels, but for different reasons. When indoor humidity is low, we experience not only dry, itchy skin but also static electricity, dry respiratory pathways, and we create more desirable breading conditions for bacteria and viruses. Low humidity levels can also affect wood furniture, musical instruments, and hardwood floors.

People often call us and say, “I saw your vehicles in my neighborhood the other day. What do you y’all do?” Well, the short answer is, we do a lot! E3 helps existing homeowners fix issues related to comfort, moisture, indoor air quality, and high energy bills. We also help homeowners and builders design, build, commission, and test new high performance and fully integrated homes.

Existing Homes

The heat is on in Middle Tennessee. We've enjoyed a beautiful spring, but the heat and the humidity are back! When high temperatures mix with high humidity, it feels hotter than it actually is. When indoor humidity levels are high, not only do we feel sticky and uncomfortable, we also increase the risk for mold, mildew, and allergy and asthma triggers. 

In this article, we feature a1920’s nationally registered historic home in the Belle Meade neighborhood of Nashville that was carefully gutted and transformed into a high-performer.  E3 served on the design, engineering, and construction teams during the 2015 and 2016 project scope.  A portion of the front exterior shell and the front roof were preserved but the rest was updated with new construction materials and technology.  This three thousand square-foot estate was strategically crafted to comply with the historic commission to preserve the original charm.

As we set our health resolutions for the new year, we may choose to eat more organic foods, drink more pure water, and get outside more to exercise and breath in clean air. But as we focus on the health of our body, let’s not forget about the health of our home. Here are ten simple ways you can protect your whole family’s health by improving the health of your indoor environment.

1. Check for radon

Winter is in full swing. Frosty days and frigid nights bring most of life’s activities indoors where we spend nearly 90% of our time during the winter. This makes indoor air quality (IAQ) a hot topic during these cold months! Good IAQ is important because it protects our health, while poor IAQ can cause a host of ill-effects, including asthma, allergies, headaches, dizziness, and even poor sleep to name a few.