What Should I Know About Home Radon Testing?
With increasing awareness of radon exposure across Canada (finally!), many homeowners are taking action to test their homes with digital radon monitors. But how long should you test for? Are digital monitors accurate? And which ones should you avoid?
Let’s break it down.
How Long Should I Test for Radon?
Health Canada recommends testing your home for at least 3 months, ideally during the heating season when windows are closed and radon levels are at their highest.
But if you’re aiming for the best possible data, researchers from the Evict Radon National Study suggest a longer test: 6 to 12 months, spanning both warm and cold seasons. This gives you the most representative picture of your home’s year-round exposure.
Digital monitors have become popular because they offer:
- An immediate snapshot of current radon levels
- Rolling averages over time
- The ability to track changes day-by-day
These can be useful tools especially for homeowners wanting to see how radon levels behave in different conditions (windows open vs. closed, HVAC use, etc.).
But there’s a catch…
Which Digital Radon Monitors Are Best?
With the rise in radon awareness (which we love), there’s been a flood of digital radon monitors entering the market (which we don’t love). Unfortunately, not all of these digital radon monitors are accurate or even measure radon at all.
In fact, Health Canada has issued multiple recalls for radon detectors due to inaccurate readings that could put families at risk. These include:
- Life Basis brand monitors (multiple models)
- Spolehli Radon Detector
- Hanchen Home Radon Detector
- INKBIRD RD-2 Radon Detector
- Air Steward Portable Monitor
A recent Health Physics Journal study and the 2023 C-NRPP Intercomparison Report found that only some digital radon monitors met acceptable accuracy levels.
Approved consumer monitors with strong performance:
- Airthings Corentium Home
- Airthings Wave/ Wave Plus / View/ View Plus
- Ecosense EcoQube, RadonEye RD200, EcoBlue
- SunRadon Luft
These passed C-NRPP’s independent testing and are trusted by many in the industry for homeowner use. You can find approved consumer devices on our webstore.
What If I Can’t Complete A Long Term Test?
What If I Don’t Have 3 Months to Test?
In some cases – especially real estate transactions or tight renovation timelines – there’s simply not enough time for a 3+ month test. In these cases, a short-term test (2–7 days) can be conducted by a C-NRPP certified measurement technician. A properly conducted test should:
- Use approved commercial-grade devices (see link below)
- Follow strict protocols for placement and reporting
- Can help guide decisions when long-term testing isn’t feasible
Already tested? Purchased a home with a real estate radon test? To confirm a proper device was used for your measurement, visit:
C-NRPP Approved Devices List
Final Tips For Radon Testing Your Home:
- Test your home for radon for at least 3 months (longer is better)
- Use approved digital radon monitors or certified radon testing kits
- Avoid recalled or unverified devices as they can give dangerously misleading results
- In a rush? Reach out to us if you need home radon testing done ASAP.
Have questions about testing or choosing a radon monitor? Reach out to our team, we’re happy to help cut through the confusion and keep your home’s air safe.