Colorado sits on some of the highest natural radon levels in the country, and most homeowners have no idea it is moving through the air they breathe every day. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that rises up from the soil and rock beneath your home. In much of El Paso County and the Front Range, the underlying geology produces radon at levels well above the national average.
The Environmental Protection Agency identifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind only smoking. Because you cannot see or smell it, the only way to know your levels is to test.
How radon gets into your home
Radon enters through the lowest points of your home first: cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, sump pits, crawl space floors, and unsealed basement slabs. Once inside, it does not simply sit in the basement. Your HVAC system pulls air from throughout the house and redistributes it, which means radon that enters low can be carried upward and spread room to room every time your furnace or air handler runs.
Do air ducts cause radon problems?
Air ducts do not create radon, and cleaning your ducts is not a radon mitigation method. It is important to be clear about that, because no honest company should ever sell duct cleaning as a radon fix. What your duct and HVAC system does do is move air around. A leaky return duct running through a crawl space or basement can pull in soil gas, including radon, and distribute it through the home. Sealing those leaks reduces how much unconditioned, potentially radon-laden air gets pulled into your breathing air.
What actually reduces radon
The proven fix for elevated radon is a sub-slab depressurization system installed by a certified radon mitigation contractor. This uses a vent pipe and fan to draw radon from beneath the foundation and expel it safely above the roofline. It is a specialized trade separate from duct cleaning.
That said, a well-sealed, properly balanced duct system supports healthier air overall. If your return ducts are drawing from spaces where radon collects, sealing them keeps that air out of your living space.
The bottom line for Colorado homeowners
Test your home for radon first. Test kits are inexpensive and widely available, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has offered low-cost or free kits in the past. If your levels are high, hire a certified radon mitigation professional. And keep your HVAC and ductwork clean and well-sealed so the air your system moves is as clean as possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can air duct cleaning remove radon from my home?
No. Duct cleaning removes dust, debris, and contaminants from your ductwork, but it does not reduce radon. Radon requires a dedicated mitigation system installed by a certified radon contractor. Be cautious of any company that claims duct cleaning fixes radon.
Does my HVAC system spread radon through my house?
It can. Your HVAC system pulls air from throughout the home and redistributes it. If radon enters at a low point like a basement or crawl space, running your system can carry it upward and spread it room to room. Sealing duct leaks in those areas helps limit this.
How do I know if my Colorado home has high radon?
The only way to know is to test. Radon is invisible and odorless. Inexpensive test kits are available, and Colorado health agencies have periodically offered low-cost kits. Much of the Front Range and El Paso County has elevated radon, so testing is strongly recommended.
Ready for cleaner air? Planet Duct is Southern Colorado's NADCA-certified air duct cleaning team. Get a free estimate or call 719-728-5111.