Our Review of
EPA's Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon
We Like Active Testing

Renny the Radon Robot serves a tray full of active Radon testing devices. Renny and other robot friends add festive color to our Radon at Tahoe pages, offering a cheerful presence as we explore the serious issue of radon in homes.

Why We Like Active Radon Testing

On the prior page, we discussed the EPA's definition of Passive Radon Testing devices, which they define as not needing a power source vs. Active Testing Radon devices, which continuously monitor Radon levels. If you missed that page and want to go back, just click on the navigation link below.

Active Radon testing devices require power to function, because these are continuous Radon monitors. Some of these run on batteries and display Radon levels, and some include data loggers that record the amount of Radon or its decay products in the air. The EPA Guide states that although these tests may cost more, they may ensure a more reliable result.

Our Experience

We tried a Passive Testing Device by purchasing a Radon Test Kit, and followed the instructions for performing the test and sending the device to the lab. Then we received a report back in the mail. Even though the results were stellar and we did not need Radon mitigation, we thought about how this device only recorded the Radon for the short time period we had it setup in our home.

Later, when we found that we could purchase a continuous testing device with a continuous readout of Radon levels, we purchased the battery powered Radon Testing Device by Airthings. Since then, we have moved that device around our home, to view any possible Radon levels in various locations. Currently, we have two of these, one in the kitchen and another upstairs in our bedroom, where these devices continuously tests for Radon and also continuously report levels. For us, having this Active Testing Device is like having a thermometer or a barometer on the wall. The Radon levels are actually quite miniscule, way below any of EPA charts, so viewing the readouts from time to time mostly just gives us continued peace of mind.

About This Page

This page is part of our series reviewing and summarizing the Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon. This series is for our Lake Tahoe viewers, since Lake Tahoe is a high Radon area, according to the EPA. By getting Radon detection and Radon mitigation, you can live more healthfully amidst the beauty of Lake Tahoe. On each page, you can view more by clicking on one of the navigation links below.

Navigation: More Radon Information