Radon testing services are common components of a modern real estate transaction. Due to the time sensitive nature of home buying, radon testing is often performed in 48 hour intervals in an attempt to gather a representative sample as well as conform with the needs of clients and agents alike. Results of radon testing often fall within two categories, below recommended EPA action level, or, above recommended EPA action level. Based on those results, homebuyers/homeowners can make a decision on the need for a mitigation system.
Despite the value of a 48 hour test, it is, in reality, a very limited view into the radon levels in a given home throughout a year. For example, radon levels are likely highest during the winter months when homes are sealed tight, and doors and windows are not likely to be left open for ventilation. So, how might we better understand our home’s year-round radon averages, or if our mitigation system is really doing its job?
The answer is the Lüft monitor by Sun Radon.
Inspect Montana uses the Sun Radon 1028-XP Professional Monitors to test radon during property inspections. The Lüft is the consumer version.
The EPA recommends testing your home every 2 years after the installation of a radon mitigation system. Any changes to the foundation of your home from a remodel can change the effectiveness of the mitigation system installed. There are also other factors as well that can change the radon levels. If you have a Lüft monitor installed you will see in real time what is happening with the radon in your home.
Safe Home Environmental, a division of Inspect Montana also offers radon monitoring services. After you have purchased your Lüft monitor, it can be set up to send the data to our cloud-based dashboard. Now you can have peace of mind and let Safe Home monitor what is going on in your home. Regular emails will be sent with charts showing just what is going on. These email updates can be tailored to your needs. Included in the cost of this monitoring service is a radon test every two years for free, utilizing the 1028-XP professional monitors.
Radon
What is Radon? Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that you cannot see or smell. Radon is normally found at very low levels outdoors but can accumulate in the air in homes and other buildings. Breathing in elevated levels of radon over long periods can lead to health issues, including lung cancer. In fact, Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the EPA.
Why do I need a long-term Radon monitor? Radon levels fluctuate based on your home’s ventilation, airflow, weather conditions, and seasons. Furthermore, changes or deterioration of the foundation, windows, insulation, and vapor barriers, to name a few, can impact Radon levels. Therefore, long-term, continuous Radon level monitoring will provide you peace of mind even after a radon inspection and mitigation have been completed.
tVOC
What’s a VOC? Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) is defined as any compound containing carbon that can be readily vaporized, except methane. VOCs, measured in the totality of its mixed gases or tVOC, are released into indoor environments from cleaning and disinfecting products, paints, wood preservatives, carpeting, building materials, aerosols, insect repellents, microbial growth, and a host of other sources.
Why monitor tVOCs? At elevated levels, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics (such as Benzene) are suspected or known to cause cancer. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to elevated levels of VOCs include eye infections and irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, shortness of breath, signs of poisoning, nausea, vomiting, nose bleeding, fatigue, and dizziness
eCO2
What are CO2Equivalents? Carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents, or short eCO2, are derived from the measurements of the mixed gases, tVOCs, and describe the quality of indoor air in equivalent in units of CO2Traditionally, indoor air quality is limited to the measurement of temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide alone.
eCO2, however, detects increasing CO2 levels but also contains information about additional harmful mixed gases and odorous events, while a CO2 sensor detects just the exhaled CO2 from the room’s occupants.
Temp
Compare this reading with your thermostat setting. If you have multiple monitors in your home you will see which rooms vary from the thermostat setting.
Humidity
What is relative humidity? Relative humidity (rH) is among the most common indoor air environmental factors implicated in occupant discomfort. Elevated humidity has been shown to be associated with a worsened perception of Indoor Air Quality. A high %rH is also an indicator of conditions favorable to mold and microbial growth.
What are recommended levels of relative humidity? ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers) recommends a maximum of approximately 56%rH at 80°F and up to approximately 86%rH at 67°F (at standard atmospheric pressure). Clothing, radiant heat, and many other factors influence the recommendations of this standard. This is based on their standard Graphical Comfort Zone Method. Per ASHRAE there are not any established lower humidity limits for thermal comfort. However, non-thermal comfort factors such as skin drying, irritation of mucus membranes, dryness of the eyes, and static electricity generation, may place limits on the acceptability of very low humidity environments.
Mold Risk Indicator
What does the Mold Risk Indicator do? The latest version of the lüft app includes a Mold Risk Indicator. The app analyzes the CURRENT condition of temperature and humidity and determines how likely it is to develop mold.
The Mold Risk is provided on a 5-level scale from very low to very high risk. Very low risk means it would take more than a year for this condition to develop mold, if any. Very high risk means it would only take less than 3 days to develop surface mold.
Note of caution: the device does not measure mold but indicates the risk of developing mold. Also, other surfaces in the house; like windows, and outside walls; may show mold even at lower risk levels. That is due to the local temperature and humidity index on that window or wall, which can be drastically different than what is measured in the open air.
Air Pressure
Atmospheric pressure is an indicator of weather. Changes in the atmosphere, including changes in air pressure, affect the weather. Meteorologists use barometers to predict short-term changes in the weather.
A rapid drop in atmospheric pressure means that a low-pressure system is arriving. Low pressure means that there isn’t enough force, or pressure, to push clouds or storms away. Low-pressure systems are associated with cloudy, rainy, or windy weather. A rapid increase in atmospheric pressure pushes that cloudy and rainy weather out, clearing the skies and bringing in cool, dry air.
Lüft®?
Why choose lüft®? Our monitor is uniquely designed to continuously measure the quality of the air you breathe by measuring Radon as well as dangerous Chemicals (tVOCs), Carbon Dioxide equivalents (eCO2), Temperature, Humidity, and Pressure—all to ensure the air you and your family breathe is healthy.
Inspect Montana serves clients across Montana including Lolo, Missoula, Hamilton, Corvallis, Florence, Victor, Darby, Alberton, Polson, Ronan, St. Regis, Clinton, Stevensville, Philipsburg, Drummond, Frenchtown, St.Ignatius, Garrison, Lincoln, Sula, Pablo, Deer Lodge, Bitterroot Valley and throughout Western Montana.
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