System Types
Other Types of Radon Reduction Methods

The following methods are considered to be temporary measures or only partial solutions to be used in combination with other measures.

Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation: is the most basic partial approach to radon reduction. Sealing limits the flow of radon into your home and it reduces the loss of conditioned air. EPA does not recommend the use of sealing alone to reduce radon because by itself sealing has not been shown to lower radon levels significantly or consistently. Normal settling of your house opens new entry routes and reopens old ones.

House pressurization: uses a fan to blow air into the basement or living area from either upstairs or outdoors. It attempts to create enough pressure at the lowest level indoors (in a basement, for example) to prevent radon from entering into the house. The effectiveness of this technique is limited by house construction, climate, and other appliances in the house and occupant lifestyle. In order to maintain enough pressure to keep radon out, the doors and windows at the lowest level must not be left open, except for normal entry and exit.

Natural ventilation: By opening windows, doors and vents on the lower floors you increase the ventilation of your house. This increased ventilation mixes radon with outside air and can result in reduced radon levels. Ventilating your house can help to lower indoor radon levels by reducing the vacuum effect. Natural ventilation of any kind should normally be regarded as a temporary radon reduction approach because of: loss of conditioned air and related discomfort, greatly increased costs of conditioning additional outside air, and security concerns.

Heat Recovery ventilation: (HRV) is also called an air-to-air heat exchanger and can be installed to increase ventilation. An HRV will increase house ventilation while using the heated or cooled air being exhausted to warm or cool the incoming air. HRVs can be designed to ventilate all or part of your home, although they are more effective in reducing radon levels when used to ventilate only the basement. HRVs can also improve air quality in houses that have other indoor pollutants. There could be significant increase in the heating and cooling costs with an HRV, but not as great as ventilation without heat recovery.