Home upgrades are often planned with comfort, style, and energy savings in mind. New flooring, tighter windows, finished basements, or updated HVAC systems can make a house feel brand new. What’s less obvious—but just as important—is how these changes can affect the air you breathe inside your home, including indoor air quality (IAQ) and radon levels.
One of the most common impacts of remodeling comes from making a home more airtight. In our region, energy efficiency is a big focus, and for good reason. Sealing gaps, adding insulation, and installing high-performance windows can reduce heating costs and drafts. However, when a home “tightens up,” it can also trap pollutants that previously escaped. Everyday contaminants like moisture, dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and combustion byproducts may build up if fresh air exchange isn’t addressed.
Renovation materials themselves can also influence air quality. New paints, cabinets, adhesives, and flooring often release VOCs, especially in the weeks or months after installation. While many products are now labeled low-VOC, they can still contribute to short-term air quality concerns if ventilation is limited. Proper curing time and good airflow during and after a project make a noticeable difference.
Basement and crawlspace remodels deserve special attention, particularly when it comes to radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the soil and can enter a home through cracks, joints, sump pits, and other openings in contact with the ground. Finishing a basement, adding bedrooms, or changing how the space is heated and ventilated can alter pressure dynamics in the home. These changes may increase—or sometimes decrease—radon levels, but the outcome isn’t predictable without testing.
Another factor is mechanical system upgrades. Replacing an older furnace, water heater, or ventilation fan can change how air moves through the house. Exhaust fans, range hoods, and bathroom fans all affect pressure balance. If not designed or installed with the whole home in mind, these systems can inadvertently draw soil gases, including radon, into living spaces.
The good news is that these issues are manageable. Thoughtful planning goes a long way. Incorporating balanced ventilation, such as a properly designed exhaust or fresh air system, helps maintain healthy air exchange. Using low-emission materials, controlling moisture, and sealing foundations appropriately all contribute to better indoor conditions.
Most importantly, testing should be part of the process. Radon testing after major renovations—especially those involving lower levels of the home—is a smart step. Indoor air quality assessments can also provide valuable insight into how a remodel has changed the home environment.
A well-upgraded home should be comfortable, efficient, and healthy. With a little foresight and follow-up, remodeling can achieve all three.