Have you tested your home yet? If not,
Radon Reduction Techniques DO Work
Some radon reduction systems may reduce levels in your home by
up to 99%. The cost of fixing a home generally ranges from about $500 -
$2500. Your costs may obviously vary depending on the size and design of
your home and which method you choose. Thousands of people have reduced
the radon levels in their homes by implementing these techniques.
Either a licensed professional mitigator or a skilled homeowner can reduce the radon concentration in your home. Detailed information on �do-it-yourself� radon reduction or hiring a mitigators is available at 1-800-SOS-Radon or http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/. If you plan to �do-it-yourself�, I recommend that you get a copy of the book Protecting Your Home from Radon: A step-by-step Manual for Radon reduction. It is available from Colorado Vintage Companies 709-632-1215 for ~$30.
Here a some notes on radon mitigation:
� Reducing the radon concentration in your home�s living spaces is the best way to lower your radon-related risk for lung cancer.
� There are many methods to reduce radon in your home:
� Soil suction (active/passive sub-slab depressurization, drain tile suction, sump hole suction, block wall suction) is used is houses with basements or slab on grade foundations. It uses pipes and/or fans to suck the radon from the soil around and under the house and force it above the roof, where it will dissipate harmlessly into the outdoor air.
� Methods used in houses with crawlspaces include: ventilation to reduce the home�s suction on the soil and dilute the high radon air and sub-membrane depressurization, which covers the dirt crawlspace floor with a plastic sheet. A pipe then draws the radon rich air from under the sheet to the outside.
� Sealing cracks and openings in your foundation seldom changes the radon concentration unless it is used with other mitigation methods.
� House pressurization sends air into the basement or living area from outdoors or upstairs using a fan. It attempts to create pressure at lower levels that will prevent radon from the entering the house. It may help some homes if soil suction doesn�t work.
� Natural ventilation is sometimes effective, but sometimes it increases the indoor radon! Opening windows on the lower level of your home dilutes the air and reduces the vacuum effect (by which radon gas enters the house through suction). This method also works best in conjunction with other reduction methods. But it is expensive in cold climates.
� A heat recovery ventilator will increase ventilation and use the heated or cooled air to warm or cool the incoming air but it is expensive and usually only is effective in very tight homes.
INSTALLATION AND OPERATING COST TABLE FOR TYPICAL MITIGATION SYSTEMS
|
Technique |
Typical Radon Reduction |
Typical Range of Installation Cost (Contractor) |
Typical Operating Cost(Annual) |
Comments |
|
Subslab Suction |
80-99% |
$800-$2,500 |
$75-$300 |
Works best if air can move easily in material under slab. |
|
Passive Subslab Suction |
30-70% |
$550-$2,250 |
There maybe some energy penalties |
May be more effective in cold climates; not as effective as active subslab suction. |
|
Draintile Suction |
90-99% |
$800-$1,700 |
$75-$400 |
Works best if draintiles form a complete loop |
|
Blockwall Suction |
50-99% |
$1,500-$3,000 |
$150-$400 |
Requires sealing of major openings as well |
|
Sump hole suction |
90-99% |
$800-$2,500 |
$100-$400 |
Works best with draintile systems |
|
Sealing Radon Entry Routes |
0-50% |
$100-$2,000 |
None |
Normally used with other techniques; proper materials & installation required |
|
Natural Ventilation |
Variable and unknown |
None($200-$500 if vents installed) |
$100-$700 |
Significant heated/cooled air loss; operating costs depend on utility rates & amount of ventilation. |
|
Heat Recovery Ventilation |
25-50% |
$1,200-$2,500 |
$75-$500 |
Limited use for unusual houses with moderate to low radon problems |
* NOTE: The fan electricity and house heating/cooling loss cost range is based on certain assumptions regarding climate, your house size, and the cost of electricity and fuel. Your costs may vary. Numbers based upon 1991 data.
This is a list of the National Environmental Health Association�s licensed mitigation professionals (mitigators) serving Minnesota and the surrounding area in 2006 whose work I am familiar with.
Randy J. WeestrandRadon Removal, Inc. 525 Orchard Park Road Minneapolis, MN 55356 Telephone: (952) 476-6226; 800-957-2366 |
Covers all areas of central, western and southern Minnesota. Basic system for most houses within an hour�s drive of MSP costs ~$1000. (Additional costs for longer drives $50/hr, larger houses) Five year guarantee to lower the radon below 4 pCi/L. Recent clients evaluations included with bid Two week lead time to schedule installation; 4-5 hours in home for installation. Experienced, has installed several thousand systems.
(I observed Randy and his son install a
system on 11/21/01. They did a professional job that lowered the radon from
8 to 1.5pCi/L.) |
Robert Carlson |
Statewide Client recommendations available. |
Robert Worth Frank |
Covers 150 mile
radius of base. |
Chris Reyerson
|
Covers Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Basic sub slab system ~$1350 (no extra travel). One week lead time. Has experience in places like Appleton, Ortonville, East Grand Forks. References available. System pricing ~$1000 Website: www.valleyradon.com |
A current list of select mitigators in Minnesota can be found at: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigation.html
If you live in another state check these websites for mitigators serving your area. http://www.nrsb.org/SpecialistLocator.htm or http://www.radongas.org/Description_of_Radon_Mitigation_Services.asp
No Additional Information:
|
Bradley S. Nyberg Quality Radon Services 2200 Dupont Avenue N. Minneapolis, MN 55411-2235 Telephone: (612) 521-3580 |
David J. Bean Home Environments LLC
|
Alan D. Rasmussen Raz's Home Maintenance
|
Jesse Trebil Jesse Trebil Foundations Systems 17550 30th Avenue SE Atwater, MN 56209 (800) 430-5851 |
|
Eric Juvland Juvland Home Care8329 50th Avenue North New Hope, MN 55428 Telephone: (612) 221-2006
|
Tim A. Jacobs Tim A. Jacobs
|
Paul A. Novotny Paul Novotny Radon Remediation
|
Brian D. Delmore Professional House Doctors 22880 Orchid Avenue Rogers, MN 55374 (763)428-2880 (800) 694-6370 |
|
Gerald E. Gray A & J Home InspectionsBox 213 20 Ash W. Trimont, MN 56176-0213 Telephone: (507) 639-5441
|
Zane A. Nevala Radon Abatement Services 5693 Oliver Ave. SW Cokato, MN 55321 (507)261-2639
|
Most radon mitigators will do a short-term (4 to 7 day) radon test after they install the system. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you also do a long-term (90 to 365 day) test following the short-term test. You can get long-term tests from the Minnesota Radon Project (800-820-3209) or see http://www.csbsju.edu/MNradon/detector_order.htm.
See http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigation.html for another list of Minnesota mitigators and advice.
Questions/Comments, e-mail: Dr. Steck
Last revised : 19 February, 2007
Visitor
since
02/19/07
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