We sat down with the founder/owner of Conscious Healthy Home, Cristina Greenfield and had the pleasure of learning more about her vision and passion and the great company helping families in our community.
Q: Can you share your "backstory" and what led you to founding your company?
A: We were a typical family living in our "forever home" when our oldest daughter suddenly regressed and was misdiagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. My husband, myself, and my youngest also developed unexplained symptoms. After nearly five years, we discovered our home had hidden toxic mold causing our health issues.
This experience led me to pursue solutions for our home based on science and testing. I became certified as a Building Biology Advocate and Passive House Builder. I founded Conscious Healthy Home to empower homeowners using building science and biology principles to create healthier living spaces that promote physical and mental well-being.
Q: What are some practical steps to maintain home health and signs of potential issues?
A: In our climate (zone 2A), managing humidity is crucial. Monitor relative humidity throughout your home using humidistats, aiming to keep indoor RH below 50% to prevent mold growth. Use dehumidification systems and properly calibrate fresh air intake. “Build tight, ventilate right” is a frequently used saying in the building science community.
Treat your HVAC system as your home's lungs. Regularly check and change air filters to maintain airflow and keep the system clean.
Ensure proper water management. Make sure grading allows runoff to flow away from the foundation and maintain gutters.
Be proactive about maintenance. I created "The Ultimate Healthy Home Maintenance Guide", which readers can access on my website, to help homeowners address issues before they become major problems.
Q: How can we safeguard our homes, especially for kids, pets, and seniors?
A: Treat your home with the same care as your body. Be your own advocate in preventing the effects of building failures on health. My website (www.conscioushealthyhome.com) and social media (@conscioushealthyhome) provide vetted resources to increase awareness of how building systems should operate and how they can fail.
The Conscious Collective is a membership cohort developed by Conscious Healthy Home for discerning individuals seeking unbiased guidance and support on their healthy new builds or renovation projects. Conscious Healthy Home offers practical solutions, guidance, and support for anyone looking to improve their environmental and health outcomes.
By focusing on these key areas - humidity control, HVAC maintenance, water management, proactive maintenance, and education - homeowners can create healthier living environments for all occupants, especially those most vulnerable like children, pets, and the elderly.