Hey everyone! We bought a split-level home in Massachusetts back in January 2025. The place had been freshly painted and the floors refinished, but we soon discovered it had some hidden issues. After two months of renovations—including knocking down walls and updating the plumbing and electrical—we moved in on May 17, 2025.
Unfortunately, we learned from neighbors that the previous owner, an elderly woman, was a heavy smoker, and we could smell nicotine as soon as we demoed the kitchen. Now, we're noticing yellowing in the window felt, and it's been hard to breathe in certain areas of the home. We didn't do a full remediation since we were so busy with our toddler and my pregnancy.
After moving in, I've been feeling fatigued and unwell due to what seems like poor ventilation and high CO2 levels. We're installing an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and a whole home dehumidifier to improve airflow. However, I'm worried about VOCs from closed cell spray foam that we used for insulation. Recently, I've started experiencing burning sensations in my nose and eyes when in the kitchen and living areas. I'm awaiting air quality test results, but I'm looking for any hopeful stories from others who have faced similar challenges. What worked for you?
2 Answers
I can't weigh in on the smoking aspect, but I do know a lot of folks in construction who exclusively use spray foam now. If you have it, installing an ERV is essential! Was the spray foam just in the attic, or did you use it in other areas too? If it was a full house, I’d definitely consider alternative insulations like recycled denim for better air quality down the road.
We used spray foam in the attic and some walls, but I wish we had gone deeper with the renovations! I'm definitely seeing the need for the ERV after all this.
I totally relate to your situation! I had a similar issue with my home where the previous owner was a chain smoker as well. I didn't do any renovations like you, but after stripping some old wallpaper and applying a couple of coats of Kilz primer followed by paint, I noticed a big improvement in the smell, especially in the bathroom. I also sealed up the room with tape and ran an ozone generator a couple of times. It took about five years, but the smell eventually faded significantly. Just make sure to ventilate well during the process!
Ozone rental services vary, but it was around $100 for a few hours. Just make sure to follow safety precautions!
Thanks for sharing that! It's great to hear it got better over time. How much did the ozone treatment cost? We're thinking of tackling the bathroom soon since that's where the smell is strongest.
Yeah, definitely prioritize that ERV! It'll help balance out the air quality.