What New Homeowners and Buyers Need to Know About Radon
Why Radon Testing and Monitoring Should Be Part of Every Homebuyer’s Checklist
Are you buying a new home or just moved into one? Congratulations! Amid the excitement of homeownership, there’s one invisible threat you can’t afford to overlook: radon gas. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can build up in homes, and it's one of the leading causes of lung cancer in the United States. The good news? It's easy to detect and fix.
Start with a Home Radon Monitor to protect your family from day one. These devices deliver real-time radon results, so you can skip lab delays, stay informed, and take action if needed. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or seasoned homeowner, understanding how to test your home for radon and reduce your exposure is a simple but powerful way to safeguard your health.
What Is Radon Gas and Why Is It Dangerous?
Radon gas comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It enters homes through cracks and gaps in the foundation. Once inside, it can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in basements, crawl spaces, or poorly ventilated homes.
Why Radon Exposure Is a Serious Health Risk
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The leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. among people who don’t smoke
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Causes over 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the US alone
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Especially dangerous to children, pets, and non-smokers, who may not have other known risk factors
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If you smoke, your risk multiplies—radon exposure makes lung cancer 10x more likely
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Radon levels above 4.0 pCi/L (EPA action level) carry the same lung cancer risk as smoking a pack of cigarettes daily
Do I Need a Radon Test During a Home Inspection?
Yes! Requesting a radon test during your home inspection is critical. Many states do not require radon testing by default, so your inspector may skip it unless you specifically ask.
Testing during the inspection gives you early insight into potential health risks and allows time to negotiate with the seller if elevated levels are found.
| 💡Pro Tip: If you’re buying a home with an unfinished basement and plan to remodel it into a livable space, test for radon before renovations begin. This gives you a chance to install a radon mitigation system early, before drywall, flooring, and finishes make access more difficult and expensive. Once the system is in place, keep monitoring the remodeled space to ensure radon levels stay low and the system is working effectively. |
See how one of our partner home inspectors helped a buyer do exactly this—catching high radon in an unfinished basement before renovation began:
👉 Watch the video on Instagram
How Do I Know If My New Home Has Radon?
The only way to know your radon levels is to test. You can’t predict radon based on home age, design, or location alone, but here are some risk factors to consider:
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Foundation type: Homes with basements or crawl spaces
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Home age: Older homes may have more cracks; new homes may be too tightly sealed
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Geographic area: Granite bedrock regions often have higher radon levels
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Season and weather: Radon levels tend to rise in colder months due to reduced ventilation and pressure differences between indoor and outdoor air, which draw more radon into the home
How to Test for Radon in Your Home (Stress-Free)
Radon testing during a home inspection is typically limited to 48 to 72 hours—which means fast, reliable results matter. That’s where smart radon monitors like the EcoBlu and EcoQube come in. Both provide real-time readings within minutes, giving you meaningful insights even during a short testing window.
However, because radon levels fluctuate daily and seasonally, short-term tests may not give the full picture. According to Health Canada’s Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings, you should test your home for at least 91 days—ideally during the heating season—to determine an accurate long-term average radon level. This is especially important when deciding whether mitigation is necessary.
You’ll be surprised at how much radon can vary—even within the same day. Short-term tests can miss dangerous spikes or overlook high seasonal averages. That’s why we recommend continuing to monitor after your initial reading.
Here’s how our monitors help:
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EcoBlu delivers your first reading within 10 minutes and offers 90% accuracy within 10 hours. Results are shown directly on the device, including daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term averages.
Note: EcoBlu does not have a mobile app, so while you won’t see trend graphs, you’ll still get accurate real-time data on the display. -
EcoQube connects to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and sends continuous data to your phone. With real-time tracking and unlimited cloud storage, you can see exactly how radon levels change over time—and get personalized alerts and recommendations via the EcoQube app.
What to Do If Radon Levels Are High in Your Home
Finding high radon levels in your home is serious, but the good news is, it’s 100% fixable. Just because radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless doesn't mean it's harmless. Long-term exposure can seriously damage your lungs, so taking prompt action is essential.
Here’s what to do:
1. Confirm the Reading
Don’t panic over a single radon spike—levels can fluctuate daily due to weather, ventilation patterns, and everyday household activities. That’s why using a continuous radon monitor is key. It helps you understand your home’s long-term radon exposure more accurately than a short-term test alone. If your device shows consistently high levels or spikes, it’s time to take action. For added peace of mind, you can also schedule a follow-up test with a certified radon professional to confirm the results.
2. Install a Radon Mitigation System
If high levels are confirmed, install a radon mitigation system right away. These systems safely vent radon gas outside and are typically affordable, effective, and installed in under a day. Contact a certified radon mitigation specialist in your area for help.
3. Negotiate During Home Buying
If you're still in the buying process and high radon levels are detected, negotiate with the seller about the remediation costs. Radon doesn’t need to be a dealbreaker—it just needs to be addressed.
4. Keep Monitoring
Even after mitigation, radon levels can still fluctuate daily and seasonally. Ongoing monitoring gives you peace of mind and ensures your home remains safe year-round.
Is It Safe to Buy a Home With Radon?
Yes—if you address the issue properly. High radon levels don’t mean you should walk away from a home, but they do mean you need to act.
Radon mitigation and continuous monitoring are straightforward and effective. Just make sure the issue is addressed before moving in or shortly after. Peace of mind comes from knowing, not guessing, that your home is safe.
Final Thoughts: Make Radon Testing Part of Your Home Safety Plan
Whether you’re buying, selling, or settling in, radon testing and monitoring should be part of your home safety checklist. The only way to protect your family is to monitor your radon levels continuously and mitigate when needed.
With Ecosense Radon Monitors, you get real-time, accurate data 24/7—without the wait or the worry.