Which Radon Monitor is right for my home?

hCRMs or Homeowner Continuous Radon Monitors have become extremely affordable in the last decade.  This is great news for the consumer, however, please be aware of some pitfalls when selecting radon monitors.  Remember, if you see a cheaper radon monitor price online for a product we carry, call and we’ll match it!  If it’s really cheap, you may want to check and see if it’s certified by a national laboratory or certification body.  The NRPP is who we look to to tell us that a device is worth buying.  Visit nrpp.info to find out if your radon monitor was certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program.  PDS only stocks monitors that pass their screening.

Calibration

Most consumer-grade radon monitors come with a single year of calibration.  What does this mean?  Well, professional grade devices need to be sent to a radon spiking laboratory so that they can be confirmed to be within professional tolerances for accuracy.  Radon monitors for consumers, just like smoke detectors, are too cheap to recalibrate, so please be sure you test them against laboratory kits every few years, and replace them when necessary.  Read my full post on this topic here.

Accuracy

At PDS, we only stock EcoSense devices.  They consistently rank as some of the most accurate devices on the market.  Their consumer grade device has even been known to beat out professional testing devices from other manufacturers in head to head testing (see this University of Michigan study here).  Accuracy is paramount.  No consumer grade device is a replacement for a professional test.  However, for day-to-day peace of mind and early detection of a problem with your existing radon system, hCRMs cannot be beat.

There is no accuracy difference between the EcoBlue and EcoQube.  Both provide your first readings in minutes with reliable results within an hour.  In fact, these devices take so many readings per hour, we’ve been known to get calls from nervous homeowners when they see momentary spikes in radon that other devices don’t show you.  Remember to always focus on the long term readings.  Radon levels flucate often, read more here.

Connectivity

Are you a “techie”?  Do you like to dig into the nitty gritty of every gadget in your home?  Or do you just want to be able to look at your radon device on your nightstand or bookshelf and have a quick glance to know you’re safe?

The EcoBlu is our most popular radon monitor for folks that hate apps and just want a simple device they can plug in and read.  It offers no wifi or cellular connectivity.  Simple buttons on the back allow you to toggle between long term, short term, and real-time readings.  Beware, if you move this device from room to room or lose power, it will wipe the long term readings.  The device comes with a three foot power cord; the perfect length to sit it on your nightstand or coffee table.

The EcoQube is for the techie in the family.  It offers Wi-Fi connectivity so you can view radon reports from anywhere in the world, so long as you and your Qube have internet access at the time.  The data can even be exported to excel.  If you have a STEM student in the house, have them track radon levels versus outdoor temperature and I guarantee you’ll win the science fair!  This device also comes with a 3′ power cord.  One thing to keep in mind: the EcoQube offers no display, so you need the app to view the radon levels.  It does have a stoplight system (green for low levels, yellow for borderline, and red for high) so you can get an idea of your radon levels as you walk by.

The EcoQubeFlex offers the benefits of an EcoQube’s app connectivity, all in a small battery-powered package.  It comes with two

AA batteries and has a low power display.  This one is really fun to move all around the house and ensure that every single room is safe from radioactive radon decay products.

The EcoTracker is a real-time radon sniffer for “houses from heck” or difficult to mitigate homes.  It’s high price tag means its geared toward the professional; however we have had a few DIYers use our referral code radonpds at EcoSense.io for 5% off.  All other EcoSense devices are for the pros: RadonEyePro & EcoQubePro.  For more information on which is right for your radon testing company, please use the contact us form on our site or pick up the phone.

Placement

Move radon monitors all over your home to get a good idea of if your radon system is working effectively.  EcoQube Flex is where placement factors shine.  Since it’s a battery powered device, you can pick it up and move it wherever without sacrificing any of your readings or reports.  EcoQubes and EcoBlus are corded devices that must be plugged in to a power source.  The EcoQube saves the data on an app but the EcoBlu is wiped every time it loses power.

Always be sure your radon monitors are at least 2′ off the ground, as other radon decay products like Thoron can vastly spike a device if placed too close to the ground.

I like to try my monitor near open bedroom windows near my radon exhaust to test for re-entrainment: when a radon system dumps radioactive gas back into the house.  Testing upper levels also allows you to find out if you have a rare radon emanation issue (read more here)

Safety

Radon testing should always be done by a professional at least once every five years.  The EPA recommends that homes with radon systems perform a laboratory test every two years.  Consumer grade devices are great for day-to-day peace of mind, but be sure to have a certified radon professional test and inspect your system periodically to ensure proper, economical function.  Outdoor temperatures, indoor temperatures, wind and barometric pressure readings all cause your indoor radon concentrations to fluctuate.  Hourly or daily spikes will occur with even the best radon systems.  When your long term levels begin to trend upward, that’s when you may have a problem.  If you see your weekly averages start to rise dramatically, first check your manometer and ensure your radon fan is on, then call a professional for an inspection.

Locals can always stop in to our Colorado Springs location to save on freight and lower their carbon footprint.

Thank you for reading!

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