Las Vegas, June 6-8, 2019 Modern indoor living has resulted in people spending, on average, 90 percent of their time indoors1, often breathing stale and polluted indoor air. VELUX, the world leader in skylights and roof windows, offers VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO to help combat the negative side effects of spending so many hours inside. The system is now available for purchase, and AIA attendees can see how it works at booth 6107.
Indoor air is five times more polluted than outdoor air2, and with people spending so much time inside, VELUX recognized the need to help homeowners use natural ventilation to air out their homes on a regular basis.
“Homeowners want more ways to make sure their homes are healthy and energy-efficient, and VELUX Active is a great way to take the thinking out of it,” said Ross Vandermark, national product manager for VELUX America. “We spend so much time inside, and poor indoor air quality increases the risk of asthma and other health hazards. However, by installing a system that will automatically open skylights for fresh air, homeowners can worry less about the air inside their homes.”
VELUX ACTIVE, which is compatible with Apple® HomeKit, allows homeowners to automate their skylights to more easily infuse natural light and fresh air into the home. The product supports the growing desire for smart home technology in the United States, with some projections showing the number of connected homes exceeding 35 million by 2021.
In an average home, the pollutant level is normally at a low level when people first enter the home or after effective ventilation. However, after an extended period of time, daily activities can raise the level of pollutants to unhealthy levels that can cause headaches, dizziness and sleepiness. Proper ventilation removes unwanted toxins, lowers CO2 levels and promotes an overall healthier lifestyle.
The system ensures a healthier indoor climate by automatically opening the skylights to air out the house two to three times daily. Here’s how it works: Smart sensor technology monitors CO2, humidity and temperature in the home, while the system also connects to online weather forecasts. It automatically opens the skylights if fresh air is needed inside.
It also automates blinds to help control indoor temperature. For example, the system will extend the blinds to block sunlight during the day in the warmer months or extend them at night during the winter for an added layer of insulation.
Homeowners can also use the VELUX ACTIVE smartphone app to control their skylights even if they are away from the house.