QA

Why Is My Radon Fan So Loud

If your radon fan is making a loud humming or whirring noise, there’s a chance that it needs replaced. The condensation that forms above the fan, inside the pipe, eventually runs back down toward and into the fan when it freezes. This might sound like a bad situation but is normal and not a concern.

How do you quiet a radon mitigation fan?

Open face fiberglass insulation can be placed on top of the membrane or in the joist cavities above the suction location to dampen the noise. The smaller the pipe size drawing air from under the membrane the quieter the air flow noise.

Should my radon fan be loud?

There are two noises that are generated by the radon system: air flow and vibration. Excessive noise and back pressure is created when too much air is moved through the pipe. According to the best standard, a 3” pipe should move no more than 34 CFM before the system is too noisy and loses efficiency.

When should a radon fan be replaced?

Fans may last for five years or more (manufacturer warranties tend not to exceed five years) and may then need to be repaired or replaced. Replacing a fan will cost around $200 – $350 including parts and labor. It is a good idea to retest your home at least every two years to be sure radon levels remain low.

Do radon fans use a lot of electricity?

The radon fans are guaranteed by manufacturers for 3 – 5 years. Their replacement cost, including installation, is usually $300 to $600. Homeowners are aware that the fan must run continuously 24/7, year after year. The typical estimate of the electricity cost is $150 per year.

Can I turn my radon fan off?

Your radon fan should never be turned off. It should constantly be running in your home to ensure that the system is working properly. After a radon system installation, a post-mitigation test for radon should be performed within 30 days of install.

How can I make my fan quieter?

7 Ways to Make a Room Fan Quieter Check If the Floor Under the Fan Is Level. Make Sure Your Fan Is Clean. Tighten Any Loose Screws and Bolts. Align the Blades. Find Out If the Cushions Need to Be Replaced. Pad the Space Between the Cage Halves. Oil the Motor.

Should radon mitigation system make noise?

Radon Fans Wear Out Over Time: Don’t wait to replace it But sometimes you might hear it making noise. The fan’s bearings that help to lubricate the motion and reduce the noise start to go bad. This is mainly due to standard wear and tear that happens because the radon mitigation fan runs all the time.

Can you put radon fan on a timer?

Radon fans need to run continuously in most cases. I have seen a few systems run on a timer and still do the job, but continuous monitoring of radon levels should be conducted to make sure the level stays down.

Why is my radon mitigation system gurgling?

I hear a gurgling noise in the radon system. What does this mean? That means that water is not draining away from the suction point. If you have a ground water sump pump, this might mean that you should inspect your sump pump to determine if the sump is working properly.

Do radon fans fail?

** There are occasions where a fan will fail, unrelated to the mechanics of the fan itself. For example, if you have had major construction on a home and the contractor doesn’t take the necessary precautions to protect your radon system, debris can build up and collect in the fan creating failure.

How do I know if my radon fan is working?

You can use the u-tube manometer to determine if your system is working. Look at the liquid in the tube. If it is equal on both sides, it is an indication that there is no pressure in the pipe. This means no suction from the fan (far left image) and the radon mitigation system is not working.

What is the lifespan of a radon mitigation system?

Most of the system is PVC pipe that has a life expectancy of 50 to 70 years or more, which is essentially the lifespan of the house. Radon mitigation fans have a 5 year manufacturer warranty, although they can run for 20 years or more—as long as the fan is not turned on and off frequently.

Should radon fan be inside or outside?

Radon mitigation standards require that the fan to be placed outside of the living space of the home. Another way to define this is any where outside the conditioned air space of the heating and air conditioning system.

Does a radon fan need its own circuit?

Most radon fans use 1 amp or less of current and do not need a dedicated circuit. The bigger ones pull only a little more. There is no code requirement or good reason for a dedicated circuit for the fan. Putting it on a circuit with lighting fixtures in your home might be a good idea, however.

How many watts is a radon fan?

Radon mitigators often use radon fans that are much larger capacity than is needed. This paper reviews the performance of over 200 radon mitigation systems that were installed using a low wattage (14-20 watts) radon fan.

How much vacuum should a radon system have?

Your radon mitigation’s manometer readout should be between 0.5in-1.75in on the Manometer (U shaped- looks like a thermometer). This is NOT the level of Radon in your home. It is simply the amount of vacuum your mitigation system is generating.

Where should radon fan be installed?

A radon fan must be installed in a non-livable area of the house. This cannot be a basement or crawl-space area!! A radon fan may be installed in a garage, house attic, or outside the house. The radon fan’s exhaust pipe must be run to a minimum height of 10′ from the ground.