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. The negative pressure causes the radon gas to be drawn towards the pipe, and eventually exhausted out of your home before it has a chance to get in. If an individual were to install a radon mitigation system and turn off the fan once the levels got below 4.0 pCi/L, radon gas would start to enter into the house again since the sub-slab isn’t depressurized. This is why it’s important to check your radon system once in a while.
In the picture thats provided, you can see small metal weights that have been inserted into slots of the radon fan motor. What many people may not realize, is that radon fans act very similarly to the way a car wheel does. In order to achieve perfect centripetal motion, car wheels are placed on a machine to equalize the weight of the combined tire and wheel assembly so that it spins smoothly at high speeds. Tiny weights are placed inside the rim to create this perfectly equilibrium.
Radon fan motors go through the exact same process. Tiny weights are placed in slots of the fan motor to ensure equal weight displacement when it’s spinning at high speeds. This ensures the ball bearings inside the motor aren’t facing a heavier load than the others. A failure in equal weight displacement will eventually cause a “grinding” noise due to ball bearing failures.
Can a Radon Fan be Installed Horizontally?
It is not recommended that a radon fan be installed horizontally. This will create what is known in the industry as a “water trap”. Since radon mitigation systems have exposed pipe at the end of the system, even though it’s a minimal amount, there needs to be way for rain water to drain down the system. If your radon fan is installed horizontally, rain water will begin to pool in the dip of the fan housing since it won’t be able to continue traveling down the pipe. This can cause the motor to fail, eventually ruining your radon fan.
It is not recommended that a radon fan be installed horizontally. This will create what is known in the industry as a “water trap”. Since radon mitigation systems have exposed pipe at the end of the system, even though it’s a minimal amount, there needs to be way for rain water to drain down the system. If your radon fan is installed horizontally, rain water will begin to pool in the dip of the fan housing since it won’t be able to continue traveling down the pipe. This can cause the motor to fail, eventually ruining your radon fan.
Is a Radon Fan Necessary?
Not necessarily. Passive radon mitigation systems are a type of mitigation system that are commonly installed in newly constructed homes. These systems use a natural pressure differential between the outside air, and the area beneath the sub slab of the home to vent the radon out of the pipe. However, there needs to be a substantial difference in pressure in order for these to work effectively which in most cases, it does not. If you happen to have a passive radon mitigation system, be sure to test your radon levels to check whether or not it’s working effectively. If your radon test comes back above the EPA standard, it’s best to activate the system by adding on a radon fan. The exhaust fan will create enough pressure to effectively pull the radon out from underneath the sub slab, and vent it out safely, dropping your radon levels below the EPA standard.
Is a Radon Fan Necessary?
Not necessarily. Passive radon mitigation systems are a type of mitigation system that are commonly installed in newly constructed homes. These systems use a natural pressure differential between the outside air, and the area beneath the sub slab of the home to vent the radon out of the pipe. However, there needs to be a substantial difference in pressure in order for these to work effectively which in most cases, it does not. If you happen to have a passive radon mitigation system, be sure to test your radon levels to check whether or not it’s working effectively. If your radon test comes back above the EPA standard, it’s best to activate the system by adding on a radon fan. The exhaust fan will create enough pressure to effectively pull the radon out from underneath the sub slab, and vent it out safely, dropping your radon levels below the EPA standard.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Radon Fan?
Costs vary when it comes to installing a radon fan. Typically, costs range from $130-$300 if you are installing the fan yourself. This is strictly for the fan, and does not account for the extra supplies that are required to attach the radon fan to your system. The size of your home, the level of radon in your home, and the material beneath the sub slab of your basement will dictate what time of radon fan you need to successfully bring your levels down. The radon fan kits listed here offer a great starting point for installing a basic radon fan.
Costs vary when it comes to installing a radon fan. Typically, costs range from $130-$300 if you are installing the fan yourself. This is strictly for the fan, and does not account for the extra supplies that are required to attach the radon fan to your system. The size of your home, the level of radon in your home, and the material beneath the sub slab of your basement will dictate what time of radon fan you need to successfully bring your levels down. The radon fan kits listed here offer a great starting point for installing a basic radon fan.
Radon Fan Noise?
If your radon fan is making noise, it may be a sign that the motor is beginning to fail. Since a radon fan is constantly spinning, overtime, the fan motor can become unbalanced. This causes the ball bearings in the motor to be displaced, creating a loud, grinding-type noise coming from the fan. Since balancing the motor is a delicate process, this problem is more common with fans that are mass produced. Festa AMG motors are German engineered and made by EBM-Papst, the best small motor manufacture in the world. In the factory, fan motors are balanced with precision, passing strict standards to ensure a longer lifespan of the fan motor.
What Is The Best Radon Fan?
The best radon fans are Festa AMG radon fans. The fan motors are German engineered, made by EBM-Papst, the BEST small motor manufacturer in the world. The motors are then sent over to the U.S. where compression molded fiber glass housings are made in Ohio and inserted around the motor. This type of material housing minimizes vibrations, extends durability, and is resistant to U.V. rays to prevent yellowing. Many fans that can be found at Home Depot, Menards, or Lowes use cheap motors and have plastic housings, which tend to yellow in the sun and cause resonances. The best part is they come with a full 7 year manufactures warranty when ordered through Radon Superstore, but these fans will last much longer! Just a couple weeks ago, we had a customer contact us to replace an older Festa fan that lasted over 15 years!
What Is The Best Radon Fan?
The best radon fans are Festa AMG radon fans. The fan motors are German engineered, made by EBM-Papst, the BEST small motor manufacturer in the world. The motors are then sent over to the U.S. where compression molded fiber glass housings are made in Ohio and inserted around the motor. This type of material housing minimizes vibrations, extends durability, and is resistant to U.V. rays to prevent yellowing. Many fans that can be found at Home Depot, Menards, or Lowes use cheap motors and have plastic housings, which tend to yellow in the sun and cause resonances. The best part is they come with a full 7 year manufactures warranty when ordered through Radon Superstore, but these fans will last much longer! Just a couple weeks ago, we had a customer contact us to replace an older Festa fan that lasted over 15 years!
Are Radon Fans Effective?
Radon fans are extremely effective in dropping radon to a safe level. Festa AMG radon fans are considered the best radon fans in the industry, due to their German engineered motors and American made housings. These fans are designed to run continuously, ensuring your radon levels stay consistently low. Radon fans work by creating a greater pressure underneath the sub slab of the home, drawing the radon filled air towards the suction point, where it’s then brought up through the piping system and safely extruded outside of your home.
Radon fans are extremely effective in dropping radon to a safe level. Festa AMG radon fans are considered the best radon fans in the industry, due to their German engineered motors and American made housings. These fans are designed to run continuously, ensuring your radon levels stay consistently low. Radon fans work by creating a greater pressure underneath the sub slab of the home, drawing the radon filled air towards the suction point, where it’s then brought up through the piping system and safely extruded outside of your home.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Radon Fan?
Costs vary when it comes to installing a radon fan. Typically, costs range from $130-$300 if you are installing the fan yourself. This is strictly for the fan, and does not account for the extra supplies that are required to attach the radon fan to your system. The size of your home, the level of radon in your home, and the material beneath the sub slab of your basement will dictate what time of radon fan is required for your system. Much of this information can be found online through disciplined research from reputable sources. However if you still have questions give us a call at 866-651-8247 and we are more than happy to steer you in the right direction!
Does Opening Windows Reduce Radon?
Opening a window will not reduce your radon levels. It may work temporarily, but are you going to leave your windows open all of the time? Probably not, especially if you are from the Midwest like we are. When your home tests high for radon, it means that radon gas is emitting from the soil beneath your home, getting trapped beneath the sub slab, and is being pulled into the home through due to the differences in pressure. Opening your windows would not mitigate the source of radon, you will still be breathing in high levels of radon since gas will still enter your home. In certain situations, opening windows can actually increase radon by creating a high-pressure differential between the sub-slab and the inside of your house. The only way to effectively bring radon levels down is to have a radon mitigation system. These create a higher pressure beneath the sub slab, causing the radon to be vented out slowly before it has a chance to enter your home.
The Best Radon Mitigation System?
The best radon mitigation systems are the ones that work (Ha!). In all seriousness, the best radon mitigation systems are built to code, use high quality materials, and effectively bring radon levels down below the EPA requirements. The quality of the radon mitigation system you are getting installed depends on the company itself, the business standards they hold themselves to, and the skill level of the technicians installing these systems. This is why it’s crucial to be very diligent in researching the radon company you plan on going with to know what type of service and system you should be expecting. As with all industries, there are unfortunately individuals who take advantage of the importance of those services to make a quick buck. Radon mitigation is not a joke and should be taken seriously. Don't look at getting a radon system installed as another homeowner cost. It's an investment into your health as the long term effects from being exposed to higher than normal radon levels are deadly.
Radon Fan Kits?
Radon fan kits make installing a radon mitigation system much easier. These kits include everything that you’ll need for building your own radon mitigation system (except for all of the PVC piping of course). The radon fan kits offered on our website include two Fernco couplings, a 6ft power cord, a cord connector and a manometer. We also offer radon mitigation kits that only contain a Festa AMG radon fan, two Fernco Couplings, and a manometer in case the consumer is hardwiring their own electrical and does not need a 6 ft power cord. Radon fan kits are a must due to their simplicity and convenience.