The Best Radon Mitigation Fan Questions
1. 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. However, passive systems are not as effective as installing a radon fan on the system. The EPA recommends radon levels to be below 4.0 pCi/L . Some radon mitigation systems are considered “passive” systems meaning there is a mitigation system present, just without an active radon fan. These types of radon systems fail quite often and are not efficient in keeping the radon below a safe level. The purpose of a radon fan is to create a negative pressure beneath the sub slab (the “sub slab” is a term used for the concrete floor in a basement. The fan creates a negative pressure below that). Creating this negative pressure, will draw the radon to the pipe, since the gas takes the path of least resistance. From here, it will be safety exhausted from your home.
2. How Long do Radon Fans last?
A radon fan should last a minimum of 5 years, but can last upwards of 10-15 years or more. Several factors play into a fan’s longevity such as the quality, placement, and the correct form of use. There’s a saying that goes “being cheap is expensive”. If your only focus when buying a product is getting away with spending the least amount of money, you get what you pay for. This especially true in the radon industry. A radon fan is not a piece of equipment that cannot be overlooked. At the end of the day, you’re investing into your lung health. Investing in a radon fan you can rely on is as equally important. Inexpensive radon fans that you typically would find at big box stores tend to malfunction more often since profits are the center focus. They are made with flimsy components and have lower quality control standards. Sacrificing quality can cause the fan housing to yellow under UV light and the bearings to eventually break much quicker than normal. This is why it’s important to preform extensive research into the quality of the radon fan you’re buying. Festa AMG radon fans are truly the best fans in the industry.
3. Can a fan help reduce Radon?
Your average fan isn’t going to do much at all in lowering your radon levels since the gas is already inside your home. The goal is to remove the radon gas before it has a chance to get inside your home. This is done through radon mitigation, which is the process of depressurizing the sub slab of a home through the use of a radon fan, and safely venting the radon gas outside before it has a chance to enter inside your home.
4. What is the best Radon fan?
From an engineering, material, and performance standpoint, Festa AMG radon fans are the best radon fans in the industry. The fan motors are German engineered, manufactured by EBM-Papst; the #1 small motor manufacture in the world. The motors are sent over to the U.S., where handmade fiberglass compression molded housings (for high sound suppression and UV resistance) are encased around the motor.
5. Is there a Plug-in Radon Fan?
There is a plug-in radon fan made by Festa AMG. You can find those here. These plug-in radon fans are low voltage, meaning they will help conserve electricity and help conserve the money in your wallet. For those who aren’t comfortable will hardwiring their own radon fan, these low voltage fans are a great second option. If you still prefer our standard premium fan over our low voltage fan, there is one more option. As long as a standard GFI outlet is within 6ft of where the radon fan is being placed, the 6ft power cord we include in our radon fan kits can be utilized.
6. What is a radon fan installation cost?
A radon fan installation cost will vary. To install a radon fan, you need a whole system to go along with it. Radon mitigation systems typically range from $800-$1200. There are several variables that will determine the price of the system, so it’s important to call around and get multiple quotes and maybe have someone come out to perform an in person bid. Be sure to pay attention to company reviews as well. Some radon companies are only in it for the money.
If you have a passive radon system, the radon fan installation cost will vary from $200-$500 if you choose to have a company come out to activate it. Fan cost and labor cost are factored into this price. However, the labor cost can be completely avoided. If you are able to research well enough, installing the radon fan yourself is definitely a feasible option. That way, all you have to pay for is the fan, cutting the cost to install by 50%. You can find our wide variety of radon fans here. Carefully read to find out which radon fan is best for your home!
7. What is a radon fan kit
A radon fan kit is an all-in-one kit that includes the necessities for installing a radon system. We carry those here. These kits include everything needed to install a basic radon mitigation system (excluding the PVC components). We wanted to make shopping for radon supplies as easy and convenient as possible. It’s important to us that our customers can spend less time searching for the right supplies, so they can install the radon mitigation system sooner, protecting themselves or their family from the harmful effects of the long-term exposure of radon.
8. Does finishing the basement reduce radon?
Finishing your basement will not reduce your radon levels. Radon gas takes the path of least resistance, it’s heavier than air. That’s why professional recommend to test in the basement of the household for the most accurate radon readings. Similar to how the smell of smoke from a campfire can get into your home, even if your windows are closed, Radon gas can still enter your home even if you finish your basement from beneath your sub slab.
9. Is it okay to live in a house with radon?
As long as your levels are below the EPA standards, yes, it is okay to live in a house with radon. Radon is in the air we breathe outside, about .5 pCi/L on average. It’s at such low levels that it does nothing our lungs, or put our overall health in danger. However, homes across the country are built so airtight that when radon gas enters, it stays inside your home. Vents and air-ducts will circulate it around the house, deeming every room in the home a risk to your health if the levels are high enough. That is why it’s important to install a radon mitigation system and get rid of the radon gas before it has a chance to get in.
10. How much does a radon fan cost?
A radon fan costs anywhere from $130-$350. It depends on the type of fan you need for your home however. Typically, the more powerful a fan is, the more expensive it will be. Festa AMG fans are composed of German engineered motors and handmade fiberglass encasings. Deciding to go with Festa fans mean you’re buying the best quality, most reliable fan in the market. There are definitely radon fans out there that a more inexpensive, but with that comes a decrease in quality and reliability. Cheap Chinese motors, plastic housings and poor UV protection is what you'll be receiving when pursuing a cheaper option. These are all traits that should not be sacrificed, especially when dealing with a deadly soil gas in your home.