If you are concerned about the amount of radon gas in your home, you should look into hiring a radon testing service. While hardware stores often sell radon testing kits, these kits are not the most accurate way to test for radon gas. This is because the readings they give you may be inaccurate depending on where the kit is placed. Hiring a professional will guarantee that you will get accurate results.
EPA recommends radon testing
The EPA recommends radon testing services that use a device that frequently records radon levels and decay products. The test device also includes a motion and proximity detector, which detect when the test is being conducted, and may correlate the changes in radon levels with changes in occupancy. Other features of the test device include barometric pressure and temperature. These factors may determine whether a home was left open during the test, and tamper-proof seals ensure that the test is conducted under closed conditions.
The EPA recommends that radon testing services begin the process by testing the lowest level of your home, which represents the area with the highest radon concentrations. The next step in the process is to select a room that is regularly used, such as a basement. While this is ideal, many test devices are biased by drafty or high-humidity conditions. Make sure that the sampling process does not interrupt other activities in the home. The test results can be used to estimate long-term exposure levels.
Read Also: Importance of Indoor Air Quality and How to improve it
Cost of radon testing
Depending on the level of radon present, you can get multiple tests done at the same time. The most accurate and comprehensive tests use liquid scintillation, which can cost around $150 per session. For homeowners, there are also several short-term testing options available. These tests are passive, meaning they don’t require electricity. Short-term tests can only detect radon levels at one or two locations, and long-term testing requires you to leave your home for up to 90 days to be accurate.
The cost of radon testing services is determined by the location of your home. Radon is often more concentrated in homes that are not very energy efficient. Since energy efficiency increases the volume of air in a home, radon cannot escape. Even if you live in an energy-efficient home, it’s important to get annual tests. Cost of radon testing services can vary based on the area you live in, but it’s usually reasonable to expect the costs to increase with the number of rooms in a home.
Active radon testing device
Active radium devices require energy to operate. They feature continuous monitoring equipment and pumps or diffuse air into a special chamber. Radon levels in homes are measured at regular intervals to provide a baseline for future assessments. While passive devices are less expensive, active devices are more advanced. Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air. Typical indoor radon levels are 1.3 pCi/L while outdoor levels are typically less than 0.4 pCi/L. When the measurement shows high levels, immediate action is needed to reduce the exposure to radon.
Radon levels can fluctuate over a short period of time, so an active radon testing device is better for long-term monitoring. Radon levels may increase or decrease depending on weather conditions, but the continuous readings will help determine the root cause of the spike and help maintain safe levels. An active radon testing device is also more accurate, as it can identify the source of radon and keep levels low.
Short-term radon testing
There are many places that offer short-term radon testing services for homes. Typically, these services offer the testing in the least lived-in area of a home. However, you may also want to have the testing done when you are selling your home or buying a new one. Typically, short-term radon testing services are best for homes on the lowest floor. To make sure that your home is free of radon, you should close your windows and exterior doors at least twelve hours before the test. It is also important to test your heating and air conditioning system as these may have fans running.
Long-term radon testing services use a long-term canister to test a home over a period of 90 days. This gives a more accurate picture of your radon levels over a longer period of time. In addition, this type of test requires you to put a small measuring device in the lowest level of your home or in the middle of a room. In multi-unit buildings, you should test the lowest level of each unit.
