Radon is a radioactive gas and is both colorless and odorless. It is naturally released from uranium as it decays beneath soil and rock. As radon makes its way through the earth, it can enter a home's foundation through cracks, openings and joins in the basement or crawlspace. As it builds in the air, it becomes a greater risk, especially in spaces with limited ventilation. When inhaled, radioactive particles can attach to lung tissue, damage the cells, and result in adverse health impacts, like cancer. The U.S. EPA has found "the average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air." As such, the U.S. Congress developed a long-term goal, pushing for indoor radon levels to be reduced to beneath outdoor concentrations.

Is a radon fan necessary?

Many modern homes are built with radon prevention in mind. Always be sure to check local or state codes to determine recommended radon-resistant construction features. Older homes lacking proper sealing against radon with a radon level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher will require ventilation. There are several methods to prevent radon from entering your home. However, radon fans and their vent systems are still the primary means of removing radon before becoming a health issue. Adding a radon fan can also aid in the future sale of a home. Many new buyers are becoming interested in knowing if a house has been tested for radon. Being prepared with tests, proof of mitigation strategies, and results showing that the levels were reduced may help ease future buyers' minds.

How much is a radon fan?

When looking for a radon fan, the price will depend on the quality of the product. A homeowner can estimate to pay between $100 and $300 for the average fan. When exploring higher quality radon fans, or fans for rooms with a larger footprint, the price can reach upwards of $500 or more.

Does a radon fan run continuously?

Radon fans must run continuously. You want to maintain that negative pressure to constantly pull radon gas up and out of the house. It has been found that by turning a radon fan on and off, you can actually cut its lifespan down considerably.

How long do radon fans last?

The estimated lifespan of a radon fan will depend on the quality of the purchased product. When searching for products, products will often have a five-year warranty. With proper installation and usage, a home's radon fan can usually last more than 20 years. Things such as frequently switching your fan on and off can damage it as much as running it at full capacity. Other factors such as excessive heat, UV, and weather exposure can also shorten the lifespan of a radon fan.

How much does a radon fan cost to operate?

The cost of operation of a radon fan will depend on the fan type and the cost of electricity in your region. Low suction fans are the least expensive, with lower wattage and typically costing between $20 and $30 annually on your electricity bill. Using the same estimating, moderate suction fans can see operational costs between $55 and $140 and high suction fans between $100 and $175. Looking to estimate how much your specific fan costs, try the following equation: Yearly Power Cost = (fan watts)(24 hours/day)(365 days/year)( 1KWH/1000 w-h)($/KWH) Estimating a radon fan of 80 watts and $0.15 KWH = (80 watts)(24 hours/day)(365 days/year)( 1KWH/1000 w-h)($0.15) = $105.12/year or $8.76/month A radon fan of 260 watts and $0.15 KWH = (260 watts)(24 hours/day)(365 days/year)( 1KWH/1000 w-h)($0.15) = $341.64/year or $28.47/mo

In-Depth Product Guide

Radon Fan

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Radon fans are used to keep radon from rising through your home's foundation and building within your household. Using negative pressure, radon is pulled from beneath the house and drawn through a pipe safely outdoors. Radon fans are designed for radon extraction from basements, cellars, crawl spaces, etc. They will vary depending on the power requirements and style of the fan (i.e., low, moderate, or high suction fans).

When looking for radon fans, there are three main categories. Low suction fans provide low airflow, moderate suction fans offer medium to high airflow, and high suction provides a low airflow.

Low suction fans are often used in houses with a drain tile or 4 to 6 inches of gravel beneath the home. These are usually the quietest fans and least expensive to power.

Moderate suction fans are built for medium to large homes with drain tile or gravel beneath a concrete slab. These fans do best at moving higher quantities of air without too much suction. Higher flow fans can potentially be noisier and may require a noise suppressor.

High suction fans work best with clay and sand soils. Additional fans may be needed in tighter soils which can add to the noise generated from these fans.

Most radon fans should be watertight since they will be bringing moisture up along with the radon gas. If your radon fan is placed in an external setting, be sure that it is rated for outdoor use and is resistant to weathering and UV.

Radon fans are not inherently helpful in improving a home's sustainability. Their benefits come from how they positively affect the health of a household. Having a radon fan helps protect your family from dangerous levels of radon build-up.