Remodeling? Consider these key factors for a healthy home

Home remodeling inspires great ideas for kitchen expansions, bathroom updates, finished basements, and eye-catching curb appeal. But whether your next remodeling project focuses on style, space, or functionality, remember that home improvement goes beyond fixtures and finishes.

What’s going on inside your home’s walls is crucial to the overall success of a remodeling project — and to how healthy your remodeled home will be. Case in point: HVAC systems. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning may not sound particularly glamorous, but remodeling projects are a great opportunity to assess and update your home’s HVAC needs.

Here we share three considerations — and lots of tips — to help you get the healthy, remodeled home of your dreams.

Your HVAC system: Questions to ask your contractor

HVAC systems are essential to your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Remodeling presents a perfect opportunity to make small updates like adding a bathroom exhaust fan, or replace your HVAC completely. In fact, the annual Cost vs. Value report presented by Zonda Media added a new project category in 2023 to reflect home comfort trends: HVAC electrification.

According to Zonda, replacing oil or gas furnaces with electric heat pumps has been gaining popularity. The change reduces dependence on expensive oil or gas, increases energy efficiency, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. And at 104% return on investment, this project has the highest value of any project in Zonda’s 2023 report.

Even for homes with traditional HVAC systems, there are important considerations to discuss with your remodeler when planning updates:

• Is your current system running efficiently? Does its age or condition indicate that it’s time for a replacement?
• Is your system properly sized for the home and any additions being built during the remodel? Oversizing a system could reduce your energy efficiency and increase your bills.
• Will any ductwork need to be re-routed due to layout changes? Do the existing ducts need any repairs to improve air flow?
• What options are available to improve your home comfort? Consider ductless mini-split systems to offer zoned heating and cooling rather than simply upgrading to a larger system.

Ventilation can optimize your air flow during and after a remodel

Ventilation is an often-overlooked aspect of HVAC systems. Though we use our range hoods and bathroom exhaust fans every day to eliminate steam and odors, we rarely think about the overarching importance of home ventilation and how it relates to our indoor air quality.

“New homes today are very energy efficient, which requires them to be built nearly airtight,” says Panasonic ventilation expert Ken Nelson. “That’s great news for your utility bill, but not so great for the quality of air you’re breathing inside your home. The lack of natural ventilation can trap all kinds of toxins inside.”

Bringing ventilation to the forefront of your remodeling project can ensure that your home is healthy and comfortable. Ask your contractor about:

• Adding extra ventilation and clean-up steps during the project to keep construction dust from contaminating the air in your home.
• Integrating an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) or heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to continuously bring fresh air into your home without wasting energy.
• Replacing recirculating kitchen range hoods (such as microwave-integrated models or those mounted on interior walls) with a hood that exhausts to the outside of the house.
• Upgrading to bathroom ventilation fans with moisture or motion sensors to increase the frequency of air circulation in moisture-prone areas. This can reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growth.

Use the remodel to improve your energy efficiency

Don’t stop your home improvement conversations at your HVAC system. Home comfort and energy efficiency extend into other systems in your home. Here are a few considerations to add to your list:

• Smart home solutions: Incorporate technology that will automatically improve your comfort and energy savings, such as smart thermostats.
• Insulation audit: Have your contractor check the insulation quality and quantity in your home’s walls, floors, and attic. The right amount of insulation in the right places will limit energy loss so your HVAC system can work more efficiently.
• Air sealing: Ensure that windows, doors, and foundations are properly sealed to prevent contaminants and drafts from finding their way inside.
• Appliance updates: It’s easy to make do with older appliances that seem to be running fine. But modern appliances maximize efficiency so you can lower your energy use. Refrigerators and dishwashers are a great place to start. Look for ENERGY STAR-rated light fixtures, too.

Home comfort helps you enjoy your remodel

Your home is your biggest investment. Remodeling projects are your chance to make it the perfect place for you and your family. By including comfort, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency in your home improvement goals, you can guarantee the performance and longevity of your remodel. You'll be able to enjoy your beautiful finishes and fixtures knowing that what’s going on behind the walls is just as impressive. Panasonic's healthy home solutions can help you get there.