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A active radon vent fan is installed to create a permanent and consistent negative pressure within the system. The negative pressure draws the radon gas to the suction point(s) where it is sucked through the radon system and vented to a safe elevation above the home or building.
Do radon mitigation systems really work?
Radon reduction systems work. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99 percent. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. Hundreds of thousands of people have reduced radon levels in their homes.
How long does it take to mitigate a house with radon?
A typical radon mitigation system is installed within a day, depending on various factors. Occasionally, more complex installations may take 2 or more days.
How does radon work?
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation.
Why is my radon mitigation system so loud?
There are two noises that are generated by the radon system: air flow and vibration. Excessive noise and back pressure is created when too much air is moved through the pipe. According to the best standard, a 3” pipe should move no more than 34 CFM before the system is too noisy and loses efficiency.
Is radon a deal breaker?
So what is radon gas? You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but radon gas is a leading cause of lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, the presence of radon in your home doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.
Do dehumidifiers reduce radon?
No, buying a dehumidifier will not make radon go away. Radon must be removed by a remediation method like active soil depressurization (ASD), which ironically has been shown to be even more effective at removing humidity from a home than a dehumidifier in the same EPA study.
Are radon levels higher at night?
During the day, the sun beats down and heats up the house from the outside in, but at night, there is a rapid cooldown. This results in slightly higher radon levels during the day, rather than at night.
Do radon mitigation systems smell?
Occasionally, a detectable odor will be apparent for only a few days immediately after system installation. The odor is caused by drying of the urethane caulk required by the EPA for use in the system.
Why does radon build up in basements?
Radon gas accumulates in basements because of low ventilation. Heating and air-conditioning, natural air movement, the “stack effect,” as well as diffusion of radon gas through the floors and walls distribute radon throughout the house.
How does radon get into the house?
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up.
How do you vent radon in a basement?
Common techniques include: Sub-slab depressurization, where suction pipes are inserted through the floor or concrete slab into the concrete slab below the home. A radon vent fan then draws out the radon gas and releases it into the air outside. This is the most common type of system.
Can you hear a radon fan?
If the fan is installed properly, improperly or gets a little out of balance, it may vibrate, transmitting noise into and through the PVC pipes, into the wall and into the house. You may hear it. If you open your windows, on a quiet evening, you may be able to hear the fan running. If the fan is in the garage or attic.
How do I make my radon mitigation system quieter?
Open face fiberglass insulation can be placed on top of the membrane or in the joist cavities above the suction location to dampen the noise. The smaller the pipe size drawing air from under the membrane the quieter the air flow noise.
Does radon fan require dedicated circuit?
Most radon fans use 1 amp or less of current and do not need a dedicated circuit. The bigger ones pull only a little more. There is no code requirement or good reason for a dedicated circuit for the fan. That way, if the breaker trips, the non-functional lights will alert you that your radon fan circuit is dead.
What levels of radon can be mitigated?
The EPA advises that radon should be mitigated at levels of 4pCi/L or more. However, as radon gas has been labeled the second highest cause for lung cancer, after smoking, homeowners may choose to mitigate at lower levels to ensure the safety of their families.
How do you lower radon levels in your home?
Other radon reduction techniques that can be used in any type of home include: sealing, house or room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation and natural ventilation. Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction.
When should I worry about radon levels?
The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking action to reduce radon levels indoors if concentrations exceed 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) and urges people to consider fixing their homes if the levels range between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
