A Radon Monitor Designed for Home Use
This is my number one recommendation for doing your own radon test in most cases. The Pro Series III Radon Gas Detector, by Safety Siren is the only radon gas detector designed for the homeowner. Just plug it in and this multifunctional detector continually monitors the radon levels in their home. It will perform long and short term radon tests and also serves as an alarm if the average radon reaches 4.0 pCi/L or higher.
Safety Siren Radon Gas Detector
- 1 year warranty
- Digital results in 48 hours
- 110 volt, no additional wiring is necessary
- Numeric LED display range of 1 to 999.9 shows the level of radon gas in pCi/L on a short term or long term basis
- EPA Certified, can be recalibrate yearly
- Samples air continuously, updates the average radon level once per hour
- Audible alarm (3 beeps) sounds if the long term reaches 4 pCi/l or greater at each hourly update
- A self test is conducted every 24 hours with an error code displayed if there is a failure
- Memory holds data if there is a power failure, test continues when power is restored
- Menu button control with 4 functions
- Can hang on wall or sit on counter
- 10’ power cord allows the user to locate the detector away from walls, windows and doors
It has many advantages over the other options listed below. You can also purchase your own electronic radon monitor designed for homeowner use, to do your own testing. They are very affordable because they can be used, re-set and used again and again, testing in different rooms of the house or loaned out to family and neighbors. Following directions is the main key to accurate test results.
Short Term Test Kits are by far the most popular, they are easy to use and fairly inexpensive. Sometimes you can get these free or at a discounted price from your state or local health department (give them a call to find out what’s available). There are several types of inexpensive “Do it yourself radon test kits” that range in cost from about $8 (for discounted test kits) up to $40 including lab fees. Express shipping can add to these costs and is sometimes recommended, this could raise total cost above $50. Short term test devices are usually placed in the home for at least 48 hours to 7 days for some kits. Some kits have a maximum test period of 3 or 4 days. Radon test kits once deployed are time sensitive, all kits should be sent to lab as soon as possible after the test is finished. Be sure to read instructions carefully, most laboratories will void the test if the paperwork is not filled out completely and correctly or if the radon test kit takes too long to get to them. It’s important to closely follow the test manufacturer’s instructions to ensure accurate results.
Long Term Radon Tests Due to varying levels of radon found in a home throughout the year, a long term test will usually give a more accurate picture of exposure to the occupants, (as compared to short term tests which give a snap shot or rough estimate). In long term tests there are no closed house conditions to maintain, so the house is tested the way it is actually utilized and lived in. These tests typically range from 30 to 365 days. A year long test will give you the best overall year round average with the different seasonal use of the home accounted for.
I highly recommend the Pro Series 3 Radon Gas Detector for long term radon testing. With the Pro Series 3 Radon Gas Detector you can switch back and forth from a long term and short term test modes. This Pro Series 3 gives a digital display of the hourly average radon level since the test began for as long as you keep it plugged in, 6 months, 1 year or more. It also serves as an alarm, it takes a new radon reading every hour and updates the average, if the average radon level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher it sounds a three beep alarm. In addition, at any time during the long term test you can switch to short term mode and this little detector will display the hourly average for the last or most recent 72 hours.
The other choices for long term radon tests would be to purchase a long term test kit and do the test yourself or hire a radon testing professional or company. Most professionals and companies will use the same test kits that are available to homeowners for long term tests. You can purchase a long term radon test kit from about $30 to $40. Professional radon long term testing usually is in the range of $150 to $300.
Long term test kits range in price from about $20 to $40, including lab fees. Professional continuous electronic monitors are primarily for short term testing and are too expensive to tie up in a long term test. The main benefit of hiring a professional to conduct a long term test is to ensure proper testing and to help you interpret test results.
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