20 min read
Radon system
Living with a radon mitigation system, from the manometer to maintenance and retesting.
Read the guideResourcesGuides by topic
Radon in the home you own or rent
Living with a home over the years: retests, a system to look after, and new builds.
Owning and renting
What this topic covers
These guides are for the years after a first test: living with a mitigation system, radon-resistant new construction, testing a new home, and when to test again.
“…radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season.”
EPA “More and more, home buyers and renters are asking about radon levels before they buy or rent a home.”
EPA
Guides
Guides and pages in Owning and renting
4 to read, the one to start with first.
- 19 min read
Passive radon system
How radon-resistant construction works, whether it is enough, and how to make it active.
- Overview page
Testing a new home for radon
Why a new home still needs a radon test, when to test after move-in, and what to do if the result is elevated.
- Overview page
Radon-resistant new construction
What RRNC building techniques include, what they do and do not guarantee, why they cost less to build in than to retrofit, and what varies by state and local code.
Short answers
Questions in Owning and renting
The 6 most asked of 7, each with its short answer.
How often should I test for radon?
Test every home at least once, then again when something changes: after a radon fix and at least every two years after that, after major renovations, and when you start living on a lower level.
Read the full answerIs it safe to live in a house with radon?
Every house has some radon, so safety depends on the level: the lower it is, the lower the risk, and even levels below 4 pCi/L pose some risk.
Read the full answerCan radon levels change over time?
When are radon levels highest?
Radon levels are usually highest in the colder months, when homes are closed up and heated and radon is most likely to be trapped and build up, and on the lowest floors, closest to the ground.
Read the full answerCan I turn off my radon system?
How long after radon mitigation can you retest?
Wait at least 24 hours after the system starts running with its fan on, and test within 30 days of installation.
Read the full answer