Fireplace Warehouse ETC Partners With Green Air Retreat

Fireplace Warehouse ETC is proud to announce our involvement in the Green Air Retreat project. Green Air Retreat is a project led by Wayne Connell, the Founder, President and CEO of Invisible Disabilities Association. The goal is to build a home focused on the highest standards of breathability, accessibility and sustainability. Not just any home, the Green Air Retreat is a national idea demonstration home highlighting products, services, resources and education in order to create a healthier, more breathable, accessible and sustainable living environment.

Breathable

According to Greenguard, “most of our exposure to environmental pollutants occurs by breathing the air indoors. These pollutants come from activities, products and materials we use every day. The air in our homes, schools and offices can be 2 to 5 times more polluted, and in some cases 100 times more polluted, than outdoor air.

Indoor air quality is a significant concern, because when the hours spent sleeping, working in offices or at school are added up, people on average spend the vast majority of their time indoors where they are repeatedly exposed to indoor air pollutants. In fact, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that the average person receives 72 percent of their chemical exposure at home, which means the very places most people consider safest paradoxically exposes them to the greatest amounts of potentially hazardous pollutants.”

Accessible

According to Disabled World, “accessible housing refers to the construction or modification (such as through renovation or home modification) of housing to enable independent living for persons with disabilities. Accessibility is achieved through architectural design, but also by integrating accessibility features such as modified furniture, shelves and cupboards, or even electronic devices in the home. Adding handrails and grab bars throughout the home, particularly in bathrooms and along stairways, helps reduce the risk of falling. Other adaptations that improve accessibility … include: easy-to-reach work and storage areas in the kitchen; reaching devices to grab objects on high shelves; lever handles on doors; toilet seat risers; walk-in showers; and bathtub and shower seats.”

Sustainable

According to the Sustainable House Foundation, when we use the word “sustainable” we mean homes that are designed to reduce the overall environmental impact during and after construction in such a way that we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We accomplish this by:

• Efficiently using energy, water, land and other resources
• Protecting occupant health
• Reducing greenhouse gases, pollution, waste and environmental degradation

Our Involvement

At Fireplace Warehouse ETC, our mission is to provide the cleanest, healthiest and most sustainable home heating, cooling and air quality products in the industry. That’s why we were both honored and excited to join our long-time friend Wayne and the rest of the Green Air Retreat team for this project.

Throughout the build process, we will be providing home heating and air quality products. Make sure you follow us on Facebook for regular updates on the progress of this truly innovative home project. And you can learn more about the project by visiting the Green Air Retreat website.