Are radon levels higher in the winter?
Why Do Radon Levels Go Up? 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.
How do you reduce radon levels in the winter?
A Sealed Home. Many of us are used to opening our windows on summer nights to help our houses cool down. By leaving your windows open, you can help dilute the radon gas in your home. Conversely, when you keep your windows sealed during the winter, the radon gas in your home can become more concentrated.
What time of year are radon levels highest?
winterIndoor radon levels are normally at the highest in the winter or colder months because of the thermal stack effect, a snowy barrier, and tightly sealed homes. Cold temperatures increase the pressure within the home, meaning more air is being pulled in from the ground, which elevates the risk of radon entering the home.
Does temperature affect radon testing?
Experts recommend testing for radon during the colder months because radon levels are historically found to be higher. There are many factors that affect radon levels including shifting climatic conditions, temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation and even construction or reconstruction.
Does opening windows reduce radon?
As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open.
Which states have the most radon?
Here are the 10 US States with the highest average Radon levels:Alaska (10.7)South Dakota (9.6)Pennsylvania (8.6)Ohio (7.8)Washington (7.5)Kentucky (7.4)Montana (7.4)Idaho (7.3)More items...•
Does running HVAC reduce radon?
Based on the results it was concluded that an active ventilation system successfully reduces radon.
Does air conditioning reduce radon?
A decrease in the mean value of radon and its attached progeny was found when AC was working. The mean value of radon equilibrium factor F was also lower when AC was working (0.49) than when it was off (0.61).
Do air purifiers reduce radon?
Yes, air purifiers help with radon gas reduction to some extent. The air purifiers with activated carbon filter technology are highly effective in trapping radon gas.
What can give false radon readings?
A short term test is good at measuring your current radon levels, but these levels can fluctuate due to a number of factors, including:Barometric pressure.Temperature/Season.House construction.Rain soaked ground.HVAC system.Improper placement of the device.
What can throw off a radon test?
Turn off all air moving devices during the test. This would include ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, regular fans, HEPA or any other kind of filtering device that moves air. Do not operate fireplaces or heating stoves during the test unless they are your main source of heat.
Does running the furnace increase radon?
Winter is a good time to test for radon because you are, in-most cases, measuring the worst case scenario for your home. With the hatches battened down and the furnace running, you are creating a scenario that can cause radon levels to be higher.
Does running the furnace increase radon?
Winter is a good time to test for radon because you are, in-most cases, measuring the worst case scenario for your home. With the hatches battened down and the furnace running, you are creating a scenario that can cause radon levels to be higher.
Does running HVAC reduce radon?
Based on the results it was concluded that an active ventilation system successfully reduces radon.
Does running furnace fan reduce radon?
In many homes, blowing air in through an existing central furnace is quite practical. The use of an exhaust fan to pull air out of the house may decease the interior air pressure and draw more radon inside.
Where are radon levels highest in a house?
Radon levels are often highest in the lowest part of a home or building, so testing in the basement or first floor is a good place to start. Fix your home if a test shows elevated radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L. Find a certified contractor, get cost estimates and fix spaces with an elevated radon level.
Can Weather Affect Radon Levels In Your Home?
Radon is a very real issue for homeowners to keep in mind both when first purchasing a home and maintaining one over the years. There are a few different issues that can affect the overall radon levels in your home and weather and weathering is one. There are two distinct types of weather that can affect the levels of radon in your home and the first has to do directly with the heating and cooling systems in your home.
What happens when radon is drawn up from the foundation?
When the air is drawn up from the foundations, it is far more likely that radon gasses will be pulled up from the foundation space along with the cold air. This means that when it gets cold, your radon levels in your home are far ...
What type of weather affects radon levels?
The first type of weather that affects radon levels is, of course, cold weather. The colder it is the more likely you are to turn on the heater and therefore turn on your furnace. Now when a home has radon gas, using your furnace can encourage something called the stacking effect.
How does wind affect radon?
Wind can increase the outward pressure on the house making radon gasses rise and become dangerous. Another issue to contend with is rain. This can also cause the stack effect and can cause radon gasses to rise up from the saturated soil causing them to be drawn into the home.
Is radon dangerous at night?
During the day, radon levels are likely to be lower than late at night. With any of these issues, if you feel that your home has radon ga sses that can be potentially dangerous, it is important to watch closely and monitor levels to keep you and your family safe.
Where does radon gas come from?
Radon gas occurs naturally in the soil and seeps through ground and into the atmosphere . Unfortunately, during the winter months, the ground around your home can become saturated with water and freeze, blocking the flow of radon into the atmosphere and directing it into your home in higher concentrations. In addition our windows are closed and we are using of the furnace to keep warm which encourages what is called the stacking effect. This means, when the home heats up, the hot air is pushed up and out and the cold air from the foundation is drawn in making it more likely for radon gasses to be pulled up from the foundation space along with the cold air.
Is radon a real issue?
Radon is a very real issue for homeowners to keep in mind both when first purchasing a home and maintaining one over the years. There are a few different issues that can affect the overall radon levels in your home and cold weather is one.
Why is it important to test for radon?
Testing your home and implementing a radon mitigation system will greatly reduce chances of health problems that are often caused by prolonged exposure to radon. Once you have the proper radon mitigation system in your home, you will not have to worry so much about weather conditions causing high levels of radon in your home and the negative effects of weather on radon levels.
What happens when the ground is wet?
Wet Conditions: When the ground is wet, more radon is able to move quickly to the surface of the ground, where it can seep through foundation cracks into your home. In addition, windows are normally closed more during rainy or wet conditions, which cuts down on ventilation that helps radon leave the home.
Does weather affect radon levels in Iowa?
Effects of Weather on Radon Levels in Iowa. Most homeowners are not aware of the fact that weather patterns can influence the radon levels in their homes. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is a major contributing factor in lung cancer among people in Iowa.
Can radon be tested during storms?
While it is important to test for radon, the EPA recommends avoiding administering radon tests during storms, high winds, and other kinds of weather conditions that might affect radon levels. Severe winds and rainy conditions can temporarily affect radon levels in your home, leading to an inaccurate test result.
Is radon high in Iowa?
It is considered the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and radon levels in Iowa are particularly high. However, many people do not realize that severe weather situations can put them at an even higher risk of radon exposure. It is important to have your home tested for radon and to have any radon taken care of as soon as possible.
Is it important to have your home tested for radon?
It is important to have your home tested for radon and to have any radon taken care of as soon as possible. While radon levels vary greatly from home to home, even if the homes are close together, there are a couple of different weather situations that can cause higher radon levels in your home:
Can radon seep into a home?
This gas can seep into homes through cracks in the ground and in the foundation. Also, closed windows and air conditioning turned on generally provide less ventilation to remove radon. Winter Weather: During the cold winters in Iowa, radon levels in your home can rise. This is due to the fact there is a greater stack effect in the wintertime ...
Why does radon come out of my house?
Cold weather increases the amount of warm air that is escaping from your house through vents or drafty windows. This escape of air causes a vacuum inside the home. If the air in your home is under negative pressure, radon gas can be pulled in from the soil below the foundation.
How to know if radon mitigation system is working?
NOTE: If you have a radon mitigation system already installed, you should recheck the radon levels often to make sure the system is working. Radon test kits or even a continuous radon monitor should be a part of normal maintenance of a radon mitigation system. These systems can fail during winter months due to condensation freezing in the pipes, snow capping the vent stack or even tripped GFI outlet from a faulty set of Christmas lights. A simple radon test can let you know if the radon mitigation system is working properly. Read more about this in our article titled: Is your radon mitigation system working?
What to do if you have never checked for radon?
If you have never checked your home for radon, consider buying a do-it-yourself radon test kit. They are often less expensive in January because of the awareness month. State or local governments and health departments often sell or give out free test kits.
Why do people breathe more air in cold climates?
Most people, who live in cold climates are exposing themselves to more indoor air, simply because they are spending less time in the outdoors. During these months people breathe more indoor air which can contain radon gas. It is good to know what those levels are.
Where does radon gas come from?
Radon gas occurs naturally in the soil all over the world. It seeps through ground and eventually enters the atmosphere where it is diluted to a slight amount. Basically, radon is coming up through the soil all around us. Unfortunately, during the winter or rainy seasons, the ground around your home can become saturated with water ...
Can radon be fixed?
NOTE: Remember that you shouldn’t fear testing for radon gas. Every radon problem can be fixed with a properly installed radon mitigation system. The cost of a radon mitigation system isn’t very expensive, especially when compared to other household purchases.
When is the best time to test for radon?
2 Winter is a good time to test for radon gas. Winter is a good time to test for radon because you are, in-most cases, measuring the worst case scenario for your home. With the hatches battened down and the furnace running, you are creating a scenario that can cause radon levels to be higher. You should know what these levels are ...
Why is radon higher in winter?
The other major contributor to higher radon levels in winter is the stack effect. Air pressure is higher near the top of our homes as the air works to escape outdoors. While lower levels, such as basements, have lower air pressure as air from outside flows inward. That difference between those two air pressures is heightened when the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is greater. The times of the year when that difference is greatest are, unsurprisingly, winter and summer.
How does radon enter a house?
Radon naturally flows into houses from rocks, soil, and even water, usually entering through basements or foundations. All of those closed doors and windows prevent radon from leaving your home and going back outside.
How to keep yourself warm in winter?
What is a major way people keep themselves warm during the winter? Wrapping up in a blanket inside, and wearing a cap outside. We prevent the cold air from chilling us by protecting our bodies with blankets and caps. A similar effect happens with radon levels during winter. Snow acts as a blanket for the ground, preventing radon from seeping out and trapping the gas underneath. That radon tries to escape the soil, and the easiest way to do so when a lot of snow is blocking the way is through our homes. The frozen soil also makes radon’s escape from under the ground much harder.
When is radon testing most important?
The times of the year when that difference is greatest are, unsurprisingly, winter and summer. All of these factors combine for higher radon levels in winter, and that makes testing all the more important. Conducting short term and long term testing of your home for radon in the winter is a smart decision, allowing a radon specialist ...
Is radon in the house higher in winter?
The cold, snowy winter months are fully here, and one of the questions we get asked most often during this time is: are radon levels higher in winter? To answer that question, yes, radon levels in a home tend to be higher during the winter.
Does rain affect radon?
This is also true of the summer, as the University of Massachusetts found that rainfall during the summer has the same effect on radon as snowfall does in the winter. Rain and snow prevent radon from escaping the soil and direct the radon to flow into our homes.
Does snow block radon?
A similar effect happens with radon levels during winter. Snow acts as a blank et for the ground, preventing radon from seeping out and trapping the gas underneath. That radon tries to escape the soil, and the easiest way to do so when a lot of snow is blocking the way is through our homes.
Why Do Radon Levels Go Up?
The reason that radon levels in the home can be higher in the summer and winter is two-fold.
What is the gas that is released during the summer?
Small fluctuations may occur during the hot summer months. Radon is a serious danger, created within the earth by the decomposition of radioactive metal uranium. As uranium breaks down underground, it releases a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas known as radon.
How is gas pulled out of the atmosphere?
With the use of these systems, the gas is pulled out of the earth using air suction, funneling the gas up through piping and out into open air above the roof , where it can then diffuse safely among the other gasses in the atmosphere.
How does heavy weather affect radon levels?
Heavy storms-Severe weather has a more pronounced effect on radon levels due to the changes in barometric pressure, and also the effect on soil around the home. Soil can potentially be stirred up by driving wind and rain, which can make it easier for the gas to rise towards the surface.
What are the factors that affect radon levels?
There are other factors that may influence a slight change in the levels of radon in the home at any given time, such as: Light wind and rain-Generally light weather has a very mild effect on radon levels. Heavy storms-Severe weather has a more pronounced effect on radon levels due to the changes in barometric pressure, ...
Why does radon go up and down in summer?
The reason that radon levels can go up and down in the summer is because of a temperature change, though this one is less extreme. 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.
When does radon fluctuate?
Wednesday, July 1st by Shannon Brelsford. Although radon is a constant problem you should always be aware of, there are certain times of the year and conditions that can cause radon levels to fluctuate within your home. Small fluctuations may occur during the hot summer months.
Why is radon dangerous?
Radon can rise to dangerous levels when it becomes trapped inside your home or other buildings, often collecting in lower floors. Experts recommend testing for radon during the colder months because radon levels are historically found to be higher. There are many factors that affect radon levels including shifting climatic conditions, temperature, ...
What are the factors that affect radon levels?
There are many factors that affect radon levels including shifting climatic conditions, temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation and even construction or reconstruction. Nonetheless, as the days grow shorter and colder, there are a few reasons why there is usually more radon found.
How many radon sensors are there?
Thousands of Radon sensors across the world, broken down by location. See your region's approximate risk level.
When is radon awareness month?
November is Radon Awareness Month in Canada and Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the United States. In case you don’t know, radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers—killing around 58 people per day in the USA (21,000/year).
When is the best time to test for radon?
These reasons coupled with the fact that radon accumulates in enclosed areas and people are in their homes more often during winter, means the colder months are the best time to test.
Does the EPA have radon?
EPA involvement in radon awareness. This year the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing for more awareness surrounding radon—specifically in areas that are known for having high levels of radon. The state of Vermont, for example, received $105,000 as an EPA grant to help protect Vermont residents from radon.
Can you test for carbon monoxide only one time?
Similar to how you wouldn’t test for carbon monoxide only one time, you should be testing for radon continuously. So, just because you get an okay from a one-time test, it doesn’t mean you are in the clear. Radon variations from the Airthings Wave app, over one week. (note: measurements are in EU becquerels)
What can affect radon readings?
A variety of conditions can affect a radon test, however, and lead to inaccurate readings. Conditions that affect radon tests include test location, weather conditions, test size and drafts in the area. Controlling these conditions gives you the most accurate test results.
Why do radon levels go down?
Radon readings tend to go down when outdoor wind speeds increase and during periods of high humidity . The changing seasons also affect radon testing.
What does a radon test mean?
Radon test kits measure radon levels in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). All you need to understand about this complex measurement is that a reading between one and three is average. A reading of four or higher, however, indicates that you have a radon problem you need to address.
How do you know if radon is safe?
Once there, radon sometimes becomes trapped and builds to dangerous levels. Since it has no color, odor or taste, radon testing is the only way to know if the radon levels in your home are safe or a cause for concern.
How long does a radon test last?
Because so many factors can influence a radon test, the length of the test matters. Short-term radon tests last between two and seven days. While they give you a snapshot of your radon levels over the course of a week, they may not paint the entire picture.
How long does it take to test for radon in a house?
Opening and closing doors and windows will change the ventilation and temperature in the home, temporarily changing the radon level as well. For a short-term test of fewer than four days, closed conditions should begin at least 12 hours before starting the test.
How long does it take for radon to show up in a home?
These tests show radon levels in the home over the course of three months to one year, alerting you of potentially dangerous fluctuations a short-term test may miss.
