PULTE HOMES TO RESIST MOLD

Michigan-based Pulte Homes, one of the largest homebuilders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, introduced a new line of homes designed to reduce the potential for mold growth. The mold-resistant features were unveiled in new homes built in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, Texas. According to the Dallas Morning News, a heating and air conditioning system modified to bring fresh air into the home is at the heart of the new building system. The HVAC system is also designed to improve air circulation and better control humidity. A Pulte spokesman said that in many new homes, problems with indoor pollution develop because the houses are built too airtight. He said the company plans to make the system standard in all of Pulte’s subdivisions. The system was developed in partnership with Florida-based Masco Contractor Services. Called the new “Environments for Living” construction program, it is expected to add an average of $1,500 to $2,000 to the cost of each home. To combat the resistance of buyers to pay more for the extra features, Pulte is pushing the energy-saving aspects of the building system and guaranteeing buyers that utility costs will stay within a certain range.