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How much does it cost to install a radon mitigation system in Colorado?
A mitigation system in Colorado usually costs about $800-$1,200 unless difficult design problems are encountered. You might be able to do sub-slab depressurization yourself if you have good handyman skills, including electrical wiring skills.
Are radon mitigation systems required in Colorado?
Only one of the fastest growing counties in Colorado requires new homes to be built with a system to mitigate a cancer causing gas. “Surprisingly the entire state of Colorado is what we call red zone for radon. There are no state laws requiring a radon test, and it’s not included in a standard house inspection.
Is radon mitigation system necessary?
The EPA recommends radon mitigation when levels exceed 4 pCi/L, and it is said that 50% of homes in Colorado have higher radon levels (see CDPHE radon map). The CDPHE recommends all homes — new and old — be tested every few years for radon.
What is an acceptable radon level in Colorado?
Nearly 73% (that is every 3 out of 4 homes) of all homes in Colorado have high levels of the gas. The EPA recommended action level is 4 pCi (picocuries) of radon per one liter of air, meaning that any level higher than that requires mitigation.
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.
What happens if you dont mitigate radon?
If your test concludes that you have elevated levels of radon in your home, and you don’t install a radon mitigation system, there is a possibility that over time, you or your family may develop lung cancer. Even the outdoor air that we breathe has a certain level of radon.
Are radon levels high in Colorado?
High radon levels have been found in all 50 states and in all parts of Colorado. In Colorado, about half the homes have radon levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L): Colorado radon zones.
Why is there so much radon in Colorado?
Different soils have different concentrations of uranium, but the mineral makeup of Colorado’s soil is particularly uranium-dense. The occurrence of radon gas is so high in almost every county across the state that nearly half of all Colorado homes are projected to have elevated levels of radon.
Why do Colorado homes have radon?
Radon affects 50 percent of Colorado homes “It’s largely because radon is a byproduct of the decay of uranium and it exists in our soil everywhere because we live in a highly mineralized state,” said Warren Smith, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
What are the symptoms of radon in your home?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning. Persistent cough. Hoarseness. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Coughing up blood. Chest pain. Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Loss of appetite.
Is radon risk overblown?
The early warnings may have been overblown, but research since has shown that lung cancer risk from the gas is real. Americans held their collective breath when news of radon, a radioactive gas, seeped into the headlines during the 1980s.
Where is radon most common?
Radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars and living spaces in contact with the ground. However, considerable radon concentration can also be found above the ground floor. Radon concentrations vary considerably between adjacent buildings, as well as within a building from day to day and from hour to hour.
What time of year is radon highest?
The reason that radon levels in the home can be higher in the summer and winter is two-fold. During the winter, the air in your home tends to be much warmer than the outside air, and this temperature difference creates a vacuum within your home.
Does Denver have high radon levels?
Approximately 50% of homes in Colorado have elevated radon levels. The EPA has ranked Denver as “Zone 1,” which means the average house will likely exceed the EPA’s action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
Is radon a problem in Denver?
Radon will always be an issue in Colorado and Denver County, and owning a long-term radon unit will allow you to stay safe against this deadly gas as long as you live in this state. The EPA defines a “safe” level of residential radon as 1.3 pCi/L, and an “action” level of radon as 4.0 pCi/L.
What does a radon detector sound like?
RadonAway RSA1 Radon System Alarm Sensing Modes: Sensing light blinks at 60-second intervals (3 flashes). Audible “beep” sounds and all lights illuminate when “Test” button is pressed.
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.
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.
