See more
Do radon mitigation fans run constantly?
Frequently Asked Questions About Radon Fans and Radon Mitigation Systems. Does a Radon Fan Run Continuously? Radon fans run continuously and should stay on. It's important to remember radon fans create a negative pressure underneath the sub slab of your home.
How do you clean a radon fan?
Carefully inspect the blades and scrap them clean with a screwdriver blade or other tool. Shake the fan and run it to clear out any debris in the fan. Be careful not to suck more debris in, especially fingers. If you bench test a dozen identical radon fans as I have, you will find they vary in the amount of vibration.
What happens if radon fan stops working?
If the radon mitigation system that was installed in your home failed or stopped working properly, it can have several big consequences: The gas level readings for this dangerous chemical will rise or remain at a heightened level. Your health risks due to radon gas exposure will return.
How do you know if your radon fan is working?
How Does A Manometer Work?U-tube fluid levels are different, indicating that your radon fan is running.If the fluid levels in the U- tube are equal, your radon fan is not working.Radon airflow alarm lights up and beeps every 30 seconds to warn you that your radon fan is not working.More items...•
How much is a new radon fan?
The radon fans are guaranteed by manufacturers for 3 – 5 years. Their replacement cost, including installation, is usually $300 to $600. Homeowners are aware that the fan must run continuously 24/7, year after year. The typical estimate of the electricity cost is $150 per year.
Can you replace a radon fan yourself?
In most cases, pros charge about $1,500 to install a radon mitigation system, but you can do it yourself for only about $500 in materials. So if you're fairly handy and have some carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills, you can install your own system in a weekend and save yourself a thousand bucks!
What are symptoms of radon poisoning?
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.More items...
How long does it take for a radon fan to work?
What are the benefits of radon mitigation? The primary benefit is reducing the risk of developing lung cancer. Standard radon reduction systems are usually effective within 24 hours and maintain low levels as long as the fan is operating.
What should radon pressure be?
The readout on the manometer should be between 0.5in – 1.75in. In most cases these are acceptable levels indicating, your system is operating correct. When your Radon system is shut off the fluid should rest at zero if it does not then your manometer is low on fluid.
Can you hear a radon fan?
Radon mitigation fans are powered by water-hardened motorized impellers for water resistance and rated for outdoor use. But sometimes you might hear it making noise. The fan's bearings that help to lubricate the motion and reduce the noise start to go bad.
Is a radon fan necessary?
Is a radon fan necessary? A radon fan isn't necessarily required for a system to work properly and to get the radon levels down to a safe level. Some newly constructed homes do come with a passive radon system pre-installed to help vent gasses out of the house.
How do you maintain a radon mitigation system?
Have your radon system check-in performed annually by a licensed professional. Retest your home for radon every two to three years. Your radon fan should never be turned off. It should constantly be running in your home to ensure that the system is working properly.
Why is my radon fan making a loud noise?
If your radon fan is making a loud humming or whirring noise, there's a chance that it needs replaced. Most fans last 5-10 years, with some making it up to 20. However, it's not uncommon for them to get very loud before they finally quit.
What are symptoms of radon poisoning?
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.More items...
How do you dampen the vibration from a radon fan?
Also, wrap each fastener that supports the exhaust with rubber to reduce the amount of vibration transfer back to the building. Cleaning the fan blades will also help to keep the fan balanced so that increase vibration does not occur. This should be performed by a licensed radon professional.
Why is my radon system gurgling?
I hear a gurgling noise in the radon system. What does this mean? That means that water is not draining away from the suction point. If you have a ground water sump pump, this might mean that you should inspect your sump pump to determine if the sump is working properly.
How long does a radon fan last?
Most fans only have a 5 year manufacturer's warranty but they often last 20 years or more. However, that is only if the fan is allowed to run continuously at low power. Frequently turning your fan on and off or running it at full capacity can cut this lifespan down considerably. That said, with a quality fan, proper installation, and proper usage you can generally expect your fan to have a lifespan of about 20 years .
How important is radon mitigation?
Radon mitigation systems play an important role in keeping your home safe from cancer causing radon gas, so it's important that you know how long you can expect the system to last so you'll be ready to replace or repair it when the time comes.
How long does duct piping last?
You might, for example, be familiar with the durability of vinyl siding. As a result most duct piping, providing proper installation by a skilled contractor, can last more than 50 years. Often the piping even lasts 70 years or more. Duct piping is thus rarely a problem.
What is the most important part of a radon mitigation system?
Most radon mitigation systems are active, because active systems are more effective, and these systems generally consist of two main components: Duct Piping: This is generally made using PVC pipe and directs the radon out of your home. Exhaust Fan: This is the most important part of the system and provides the power to suck the radon into ...
Why does my attic fan wear out?
If your attic has excessive heat this can put additional pressure on the fan which could shorten the lifespan. Exterior pressure: If your fan is mounted on the exterior of your home, then it is subject to a variety of pressures like UV rays and weather exposure. This wear and tear generally means that fans located outside ...
How long does it take to get radon out of a house?
For houses with low but above safe radon levels, mitigation can be achieved within a few hours.
How to know if my radon system is working?
Radon mitigation systems come with a u-tube manometer installed. This manometer indicates the suction created by the fan. If one tube of the manometer shows an elevated level of liquid , it means that the radon fan is working. If the levels in both tubes are the same, it means that your radon system is broken.
How does passive radon work?
A passive radon system works by using the same components as an active mitigation system but without the radon fan. It uses a PVC ducting that is inserted into the basement floor to vent the radon gas from under the house. In passive mitigation, the radon is outed due to the pressure difference between the outside and below the house.
How does a passive radon mitigation system work?
Radon gas gets collected in this zone and is vented out through the system’s ducts forced by the fan’s suction. A passive system reduces radon levels using natural air pressure differences.
What is radon mitigation?
A radon mitigation system is any system that reduces the high radon levels in a home by either preventing radon gas entering a home or by venting it once inside. There are different types of radon mitigation systems. However, they are broadly classified into active and passive systems.
How much does radon mitigation reduce?
Radon mitigation systems can reduce the radon levels in a house by up to 99% , depending on which system you use. Active mitigation systems achieve the most reduction, from 50 to 99%, while that achieved by passive systems vary.
What is the best way to reduce radon levels?
Active mitigation systems are the most effective in reducing radon levels, especially when they are above the safe limits stated by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), which is 4pCi/L.
How long do radon fans last?
Radon mitigation fans have a 5 year manufacturer warranty, although they can run for 20 years or more—as long as the fan is not turned on and off frequently. Electric motor lifespans are rated by the number of on/off cycles, so a fan that is turned off often will have a shorter life.
What is the life expectancy of a radon mitigation system?
Most of the system is PVC pipe that has a life expectancy of 50 to 70 years or more , which is essentially the lifespan of the house.
Where is radon mitigation installed?
Most radon mitigation fan are mounted in an enclosed space, such as an attic or under-floor crawl space. Mounting the fan on the exterior is another factor that shortens the life expectancy somewhat, due to the impact of the sun’s UV rays and weather exposure. Fan life is also shortened by excessive heat in an attic and running ...
How to lower radon levels in home?
There are several methods that a contractor can use to lower radon levels in your home. Some techniques prevent radon from entering your home while others reduce radon levels after it has entered. EPA generally recommends methods which prevent the entry of radon. Soil suction, for example, prevents radon from entering your home by drawing the radon from below the house and venting it through a pipe, or pipes, to the air above the house where it is quickly diluted.
Do radon reduction systems need maintenance?
Similar to a furnace or chimney, radon reduction systems need some occasional maintenance. You should look at your warning device on a regular basis to make sure the system is working correctly.
How long does it take to retest radon?
That’s why you need to retest radon levels after installing a radon mitigation system. As mentioned above, a radon retest should be done within 30 days of its installation but only after running the system for 24 hours
What is radon anyway?
Radon is a gas that naturally occurs outdoors in amounts that tend to be harmless. This gas occurs as a result of the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soils. If your home is built on soil that has uranium deposits, radon will get concentrated there.
What to do after installing radon mitigation?
After installing your radon mitigation system, consult the mitigation contractor to make sure that it has these four things. It is also crucial to ask the contractor about any warranties or guarantees of the radon mitigation system.
What is radon mitigation?
A radon mitigation system helps to reduce the radon levels in your home. The radon levels should stay below 4.0 pCi.L according to EPA. Without retesting for radon levels, there is no way to detect if the radon system is doing its job and if the house has safe radon levels.
Why do we retest for radon?
Retesting helps to measure how effective the new radon mitigation is. Reducing radon in homes that have high levels of it helps to fight lung cancer. Being exposed to a combination of cigarette smoke and radon gas increase the chances of getting lung cancer compared to exposure to one of the factors alone.
What is the best way to monitor radon levels?
It is also recommended to use continuous radon monitoring systems like a Corentium radon detector since various factors can change your house’s radon levels. Continuous monitoring systems continuously monitor the radon levels in a home and alert the user if they exceed safe limits.
What to do if you test radon levels?
If you test radon levels and realize that they are high, consider taking steps to lower them. You need to install a radon mitigation system as soon as possible. With this, you will be able to pull radon from under the house and get it outside.
