Radon gas represents a common — yet frequently overlooked — problem for many homeowners. This poisonous gas has been estimated to be responsible for as many as 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Many of these people were living with radon in their home for years and years without ever knowing it.

Fortunately, you can protect your family from radon by having your home tested by a trained professional. If you would like to learn more about the undeniable importance of radon testing, read on. This article will offer a useful introduction to the subject of radon, touching on its composition, effects, and methods of elimination.

Radon

As noted above, radon is a type of gas recognized to cause cancer. Radon represents an especially subtle threat thanks to the fact that it cannot be detected by means of sight, smell, or taste. Radon represents a byproduct of the decay sequence of the radioactive element known as uranium, and can be found to greater or lesser extent in igneous rock, soil, and also well water.

Radon is unique among gases in terms of its weight, being the heaviest known gas. It possesses an atomic weight nine times greater than that of oxygen. Radon also constitutes what is known as a single atom gas, unlike oxygen, which in its gaseous state contains two atoms. As a single atom gas, radon can more easily penetrate into a wide range of materials, from paper, to sheetrock, to wood paneling and insulation.

In the Home

Radon tends to accumulate in the basements of homes. There are two reasons for this. For one thing, the subsurface location of a basement makes it much easier for radon to penetrate in from the soil through the process of diffusion. Once inside the home, the heavy weight of radon will cause it to settle at higher concentrations inside of the basement.

Radon diffusion occurs at higher rates when facilitated by what is known as pressure-driven air flow. This occurs as the result of a negative pressure differential between the soil and the inside of the home. Such a differential commonly stems from the use of exhaust fans — for instance, in the kitchen or bathroom — clothes dryer air outlets, furnaces, and stoves.

As these appliances push air into the outdoors, they reduce the amount of pressure inside of the home. As this pressure drops lower, it makes it easier for radon to be pushed in from the relatively higher pressure soil around your home.

Concentration

Radon gas only becomes a health threat when present in high enough levels. The concentration of radon gas is measured in terms of picocuries per liter — pCi/L, for short. According to the EPA, radon represents a significant health problem when present in concentrations greater than 4 pCi/L. Approximately 6% of all homes in America experience radon levels above this threshold.

Radon Testing

In order to keep your family safe, be sure to have your home tested for radon. There are two types of tests that a professional inspector can perform to assess your radon levels. The first utilizes what are known as passive devices. These consist of activated charcoal kits left in the home for a predetermined period of time.

The passive device will gradually accumulate radon gas atoms. It will then be sent away to a laboratory that will assess the amount of collected radon. The second method of testing for radon involves the use of so-called continuous radon monitors — or CRMs, for short. For more information about which type of radon test will yield the best results for your home, please don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Custom Comfort.

One of the keys to keeping a healthy indoor environment is maintaining adequate ventilation. Too little air movement can cause a number of health issues, so ventilation is important. Below is more information about whole-house ventilation and the most common options available to homeowners.

Benefits of Whole-House Ventilation

Modern homes are better insulated than homes of the past, and better insulation contributes to decreased energy costs. Ironically enough, the improvements in insulation have also had a negative secondary effect: homes of today are tightly sealed off from the outdoor air.

While insulation may assist you in keeping your home’s temperature level stable, it limits the amount of free circulating air. As a consequence, air can become stale and unhealthy.

The solution to the problem is the addition of a whole-house ventilation system. A whole-house ventilation system is an integrated solution to the problem of poor ventilation. Such a system can be installed in conjunction with an existing heating and cooling system, or it can be used on a standalone basis.

Your Options for Whole-House Ventilation

There are two major options when it comes to whole-house ventilation. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so deciding which option to select depends upon your budget and preferences.

Exhaust Ventilation

An exhaust ventilation system is the least expensive and the simplest of whole-house ventilation options. It provides ventilation to the entire house by pulling fresh air into the home.

This system usually uses an exhaust fan to blow air out of the home via a roof vent; fresh air enters through natural gaps and other tiny cracks and crevices in the walls, in the roof, in the basement, and around windows and doors.

Due to the simplicity and moderate price level of the exhaust ventilation system, it is popular with homeowners who want to improve ventilation. Exhaust ventilation systems can work well, especially in drier climates where moisture intrusion isn’t as much of a problem as it is in damp, humid areas.

However, exhaust ventilation systems possess a few downsides that are important to consider. First, exhaust ventilation systems pull in outside air from all areas around a house. That means there is no ability to control the quality of the air entering the house.

Second, exhaust ventilation systems can contribute to serious mold problems, especially if the outside air is chronically damp. Too much mold can contribute to respiratory illnesses and may also cause damage to the home.

Supply Ventilation

In a supply whole-house ventilation system, exterior air isn’t pulled into the home, as is the case with exhaust ventilation systems. Instead, a fan pushes fresh air into the home, and stale air is forced to exit via the cracks and crevices used by a supply system. In essence, a supply ventilation and exhaust ventilation system work in opposite ways.

Though it costs more than an exhaust ventilation system, a supply ventilation system offers a couple of key advantages. First, by being able to select the air intake location, a supply ventilation system ensures only the cleanest outside air is admitted into the home.

Second, a filter can be installed in conjunction with the intake, a step that further refines the incoming air quality. Supply ventilation systems are also able to be tied into existing heating and cooling systems, which can further control air quality and temperature.

If you have questions about whole house ventilation, but you aren’t sure who to ask, contact Custom Comfort Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. for assistance. We can provide you with guidance regarding your options and what type of system is best for your home and your family.

Winter weather means higher heating bills for many Americans. Whether you use natural gas, oil, electricity, or another fuel to heat your house, the cooler temperatures push your heating system to work harder. If your heating costs are causing you pain in the piggy bank, you can do something about it.
Heating costs are a significant percentage of most households’ total energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Even though your home, like many others, may devote almost half of the energy used to HVAC-related uses, you can save energy and money on your home heating costs. What can you do to lower your energy usage, boost your system’s efficiency, and save money?

Take a look at these energy and money-saving home heating tips.

Consider a New Heater

How old is your heater? If it’s more than 10 to 15 years old, you may need an upgrade. Older systems aren’t as energy efficient as new models. And that means that you’ll spend more money over time just to heat your home. An old heater that has worn parts, needs repairs often, or heats your home unevenly is a candidate for replacement.

Not only will worn parts reduce efficiency and cost you money in the long run, but your older heater may not burn its fuel as effectively as a more modern model. Comparing AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) percentages can help you to pick the most efficient furnace or boiler. The higher the AFUE number, the more efficient your heater is. An older, low-efficiency heater typically has an AFUE between 56 percent and 70 percent. But a new, high-efficiency system’s AFUE can run between 90 percent and 98.5 percent. That’s a significant improvement when it comes to energy efficiency.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Your heater needs a preseason checkup and cleaning. Regular maintenance can contribute to your furnace or boiler’s energy efficiency by making you aware of any worn or broken parts. When a heater starts breaking down, it may still work. But it won’t work as efficiently as it should.  The annual checkup gives the HVAC technician the opportunity to spot potential problems and swap out worn parts for new ones.

Along with fixing your system and preventing possible problems, an annual service check helps to remove the debris and buildup from your heater. Clogged filters, a dirt-covered heating unit, and debris-filled ducts can slow your heater down and make it work harder. This decreased efficiency requires more energy usage, increasing your bills.

Stop Air Leaks

Air leaks and uninsulated areas are sneaky culprits behind your home’s heating loss. Check around window and entry door areas, feeling for leaks. If you can feel the cold air coming in during the winter, you have a leak. Seal leaky window frames and entry doors, along with insulating spaces such as attics and basements, to save up to 15 percent on your home energy costs. 

Likewise, older, single-pane windows are drafty and won’t do much to hold the warm air in. Replace them with multipane, insulated windows that use gas sandwiched in between the glass to help raise your home’s energy efficiency and lower wintertime heating costs.

If you don’t have the home improvement budget to replace all of your windows, plastic window film or storm windows can help to insulate the area. Along with this, make sure to caulk and add weather-stripping around window and entry door frames.

Change the Thermostat

What’s your thermostat set at? Do you keep this setting the same all day and night long? Lowering the setting by as little as 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours of the day can save you 10 percent annually on your heating costs. Before you turn the thermostat way down, making yourself and anyone else in your home uncomfortable, consider your options.

Instead of dropping the temperature while you’re home, wait until you leave for work. If you don’t work outside the home, a nighttime thermostat change can save you money without making your home unbearably chilly.

Do you need a new energy-efficient heater or a preseason checkup? Custom Comfort Plumbing, Heating & Cooling LLC can help you to stay safe and warm.