The guide that turns intuition into hard data
Most people believe that a home “feels good” when it is bright, attractive, or well-insulated. But the reality is much more complex: the health of a home can be measured using data, science, and objective criteria, just as we measure water or air quality in a city.
At Behome, we use standards that allow us to rigorously assess how healthy a space is. And, although hardly anyone talks about it, a home can either promote your well-being… or quietly undermine it.
Below you'll find the most important metrics for assessing the true health of a home and how they affect your body, your energy levels, and your quality of life.
1. Indoor air quality: the factor that most affects your health
We spend more than 80% of our time indoors, yet the air inside many homes is between two and five times more polluted than the air outside.
The factors we measure:
- CO₂ → indicates whether you are breathing fresh air or “stale” air.
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds) → emitted by paints, furniture, and toxic materials.
- PM2.5 and PM10 particles → fine dust, smoke, microorganisms.
- Relative humidity → the key to preventing mold, allergies, and respiratory problems.
A healthy home keeps these values stable and within optimal ranges thanks to dual-flow mechanical ventilation, natural materials, and a well-designed building envelope.
2. Stable temperature: the invisible comfort your body feels
The human body feels better when its internal temperature remains stable.
What we measure:
- Temperature difference between rooms
- Daily highs and lows
- Variations based on the orientation of the home
- Heat loss due to thermal bridges
In a well-designed passive or bioclimatic home, the temperature remains stable with minimal energy use. This reduces thermal stress and physical fatigue.
A healthy home doesn’t “fight” the climate— it works in harmony with it.
3. Controlled humidity: where preventive healthcare begins
Humidity is one of the most overlooked factors… and one of the most dangerous.
Healthy range: between 40% and 60%.
Too low → dryness, irritation, sensitive mucous membranes.
Too high → mold, dust mites, fungi, allergies, headaches.
It is assessed by:
- Actual airtightness (Blower Door test)
- Risk of condensation on the building envelope
- Controlled ventilation
- Materials that naturally regulate humidity (wood, straw, clay)
4. Natural Lighting: The Science of the Body's Rhythm
Not all light is the same. What we measure:
- Hours of usable light
- Daylight factor
- Impact on circadian rhythms
- Glare
- The Relationship Between Light and Overheating
A healthy home isn't just bright—it provides well-distributed light that doesn't cause glare or overheat the space, something that PassivHaus-certified windows achieve with precision.
5. Acoustics: the silence that rejuvenates
Noise is one of the factors that most affects sleep and the nervous system.
We measure:
- External noise insulation (traffic, neighbors)
- Interior insulation (between rooms)
- Reverberation (echo inside the house)
- Structural vibrations
A healthy home creates a deep, constant silence—something that is almost impossible to achieve without a thoughtful design of the building envelope.
6. Materials: What Your Home Releases Into the Air
90% of conventional materials release toxic substances for years.
We measure:
- Presence of VOCs in paints, flooring, and furniture
- Formaldehyde content
- Production of plastics, resins, and foams
- How materials react to humidity and temperature
At Behome, we use natural materials such as wood and straw, which not only provide insulation but also actively improve air quality.
7. Energy: Efficiency That Leads to Better Health
An energy-efficient home isn't just inexpensive to maintain:
It's a space where your body isn't subjected to sudden changes in temperature, humidity, or noise.
We measure:
- Actual energy demand
- Energy consumption for heating and cooling
- Passive house performance
- Integration of renewable energy
Efficiency means health, comfort, and sustainability all at once.
8. Integration with the local community: health starts on the ground
Before designing a healthy home, you need to consider the following:
- Outdoor air quality
- Optimal solar orientation
- Prevailing winds
- Geobiology and Soil Toxicity
- Nearby vegetation
- Factors contributing to noise and light pollution
A home that fits in with its surroundings breathes easier, uses less energy, and takes better care of you.
The conclusion nobody tells you
The health of a home can be measured.
But it can only be improved if it is designed with that intention from the start.
Most homes are built to meet building codes.
Very few are designed to actively protect your well-being.
At Behome, every decision—every layer, every window, every system—serves this purpose:
to create a home that cares for you inside and out, for a lifetime.
