Short answer
Yes: you can live in the house as usual during a radon test, coming and going through the doors, running heating and air conditioning, and sleeping in the room with the device. Keep windows and outside doors closed, and do not run fans that bring in outside air or disturb the device.
Next step: pick the right test for your home. Which test to use
For a
What spoils a test is disturbing it: interference with the device or with closed-house conditions will invalidate the result, and it is illegal in some states.
What to do next: for a short test, close up the house at least 12 hours ahead, set the device out, go about your normal routine, and send it to the lab right away when the test ends.
At a glance · 1 min read
You can stay in the house and go about your normal routine during a radon test. What matters is
| Fine to do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Come and go through doors as usual | Leaving windows or outside doors open |
| Run heating and air conditioning that recirculate air | Running fans or machines that bring in outside air |
| Use small exhaust fans for short periods | Moving or touching the test device |
| Sleep, cook and use rooms as usual | Changing closed-house conditions |
Step by step · 1 min read
For a
Step 1 of 5:
Close up
Close windows and outside doors at least 12 hours ahead.
Step 2 of 5:
Place the device
In a regularly used room on the lowest lived-in level, at least 20 inches above the floor, where it won't be disturbed.
Step 3 of 5:
Record the start
Note the start date and time, as the instructions say.
Step 4 of 5:
Live normally
Use the house as usual, keeping the closed-house rules.
Step 5 of 5:
Finish and send
Record the stop time, reseal the package and send it to the lab right away.
At a glance · 1 min read
The test belongs in a room that is used regularly, like a living room, playroom, den or bedroom, but not the kitchen or bathroom, on the lowest lived-in level. So yes, you can sleep in the room with the test.
| Good | Poor |
|---|---|
| Living room | Kitchen |
| Bedroom | Bathroom |
| Den or playroom | Closet, stairway or hallway |
Keep the device away from drafts, high heat, high humidity and exterior walls. See where a radon test should be placed.
Watch out · 1 min read
Living in the house does not spoil a test; disturbing it does. Interference with, or disturbance of, the test or closed-house conditions will invalidate the result, and doing so is illegal in some states. Improper testing may yield inaccurate results and require another test, so a test run outside these conditions may need to be repeated.
In a picture · 1 min read
Short-term tests stay in the home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device, and
| Test | How long it runs | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term test | Stays in the home from 2 to 90 days, depending on the device, and for a minimum of 48 hours. | A faster screening result. Because radon levels vary from day to day and season to season, it is less likely than a long-term test to tell you the year-round average. |
| Long-term test | Stays in the home for more than 90 days. | It is more likely than a short-term test to tell you the home's year-round average radon level. |
Questions · 1 min read
Yes. Keep windows and outside doors closed except for normal entry and exit, and live as usual.
Yes. Heating and air conditioning that recirculate air may run; operate them normally.
No. Keep windows closed for the whole test, and for at least 12 hours before a short test of 2 to 4 days.
Small exhaust fans operating for only short periods of time may run during the test.
Yes. A bedroom on the lowest lived-in level is one of the suggested rooms.
The closed-house rules cover windows and doors to the outside. Follow your kit's instructions for anything more specific.
For the whole test, and from at least 12 hours before a short test of 2 to 4 days.
Yes, as long as the house stays closed up and the device is not disturbed.
How a radon test works, who can run one, and how to read the number it gives you.
How a professional radon test works, what it proves and whether it is worth it.
Read the guideWhat counts as high and how to bring them down.
Read the guideEPA's action level, WHO's reference level and what counts as acceptable.
Read the guide