March, 2009 -- Installing a Beam Central Vacuum System will soon help your home win certification as a "green" home. New national green building standards are slated to take effect this spring that award points to builders who include central vacuum systems to improve indoor environmental quality.
The new standards allocate points for a variety of practices and products that make homes healthier, energy efficient, reduce waste and conserve water. Central vacuum systems are among the recommended products for improving indoor air quality and earn five points toward certification -- exceeding the point totals for a variety of other products such as air filters or certain exhaust fans.
Beam Central Vacuum System
Key to the decision of including central vacuum systems in the new standards was the pioneering work of a University of California-Davis clinical study of allergy patients that proves use of a Beam Central Vacuum system relieves allergy symptoms by 46-to-61 percent.
Ron Jones, owner of Sierra Custom Builders and a member of the steering committee that is finalizing developed the new green building standards, says central vacuum systems have long been standard equipment in his custom homes.
"They stopped being an option for us years ago," says Jones. "We want all of our customers to benefit from the improved indoor air quality, superior cleaning and convenience that results from using a properly designed and installed central vacuum system."
For more information about the standards and how a Beam Central Vacuum System can help you meet them, visit www.nahbrc.org or www.beam.com/builder.