The COVID-19 pandemic transformed how we think about the air we breathe at home. With people now spending over 90% of their time indoors and remote work becoming permanent for many, indoor air quality has evolved from an afterthought to a critical health concern. Recent studies show two-thirds of homeowners worry about their home's air quality—and for good reason.
Beyond viruses, our homes trap mold, mildew, VOCs, cooking byproducts, and harmful gases that impact our family's health.
At Helton Construction, we've been building homes with superior indoor air quality for over 55 years, with the last 18 focused on advanced ventilation technology. While most Fremont County contractors treat ventilation as an afterthought, we make it a cornerstone of every home.
With over 250 hours of specialized education in building science and mechanical systems, Wendell Helton brings expertise that ensures your home's air is as clean and healthy as Colorado's outdoor environment.
Creating Healthy Indoor Environments
Modern life means cooking more, cleaning more, and simply living more at home. All these activities release moisture, carbon dioxide, cleaning fumes, and particles into your air. While builders talk about low-VOC paints and formaldehyde-free materials, true indoor air quality requires comprehensive ventilation strategies that most contractors don't understand.
When we mention ASHRAE 62.1 standards to other builders, they look confused—but these are the recognized standards for acceptable indoor air quality. Here's how we exceed these standards in every home:
HRV/ERV Systems
Every Helton home features Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems—no exceptions. These balanced systems continuously remove polluted indoor air while bringing in fresh, filtered outdoor air. They recover up to 85% of heating/cooling energy, ensuring healthy air without waste. Quiet, efficient, and essential for tight homes.
Smart Bathroom Ventilation
Most builders install cheap bath fans and walk away. We install timer-controlled ventilation that runs 15+ minutes after showers, preventing mold and moisture damage. In our airtight homes, we ensure makeup air prevents negative pressure that could draw pollutants from crawlspaces or garages. No shortcuts like shower windows—proper mechanical ventilation only.
Exterior-Vented Ranges
Shockingly, most builders don't vent cooking ranges outside. Gas ranges produce deadly carbon monoxide that affects children more severely than adults. We vent ALL ranges—gas or electric—directly outside, removing moisture, odors, and harmful gases. While not required by Fremont County code, it's required by common sense and our commitment to your health.
Radon Mitigation
Radon is Colorado's invisible killer—the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. We build every home with sealed crawlspaces and pre-installed mitigation systems. Our airtight vapor barriers and mechanical ventilation prevent radon from entering living spaces. Other builders leave you exposed; we protect your family from day one.
Whole-House Filtration
Our HRV systems include high-efficiency filters that remove pollen, dust, and outdoor pollutants before air enters your home. Combined with proper air sealing, this creates positive pressure that keeps unfiltered air from infiltrating through cracks. The result: cleaner air inside than out, even during wildfire season.
Balanced Air Pressure
Improper ventilation creates negative pressure, sucking pollutants from garages, crawlspaces, and outside. Our balanced systems maintain neutral pressure throughout your home. Fresh air enters through filtered intakes while stale air exits through dedicated exhausts. No backdrafting, no pollutant infiltration—just clean, healthy air circulation.
See our ventilation systems in action and learn more about our healthy home standards in this video demonstration:
If you're building a custom home in Fremont County, don't settle for builders who treat ventilation as an afterthought. Helton Construction's comprehensive approach to indoor air quality—from HRV systems to radon mitigation—ensures your family breathes clean, healthy air for generations. Visit our Facebook page to see more examples of how we're raising the standard for healthy homes in Colorado. Contact us today to learn how proper ventilation can transform your custom home into a healthy sanctuary.