To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Looking for help selecting a radon fan

mc1984ss

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Messages
221
We finally move into our newly constructed home and I put a radon meter in the basement. My radon level is fairly high 12-13 and I need to put a fan/pump in. The house is 1800 sq ft. It currently has a passive radon mitigation pipe without a pump that goes down to the drain tile around the footings. I have already caulked all the seams in the basement. The mitigation pipe passes through the garage attic where a pump could be installed and vents through the roof. I was considering a a radonaway rp 145 because this seems to be about the most popular one on the market. I called the company and would not answer any of my questions because I am not a dealer. I am more than capable of installing it myself but want to make sure I pick the proper fan, there are many to chose from!!!!!!! If anybody has any knowledge of this type of system I would greatly appreciate the help. Thank you in advance!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

AMCguy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
2,022
Location
Sunshine Coast, BC Canada
Sorry. I don't have any experience with that system, but I always thought all you needed was some method of positive air exchange.

Is there some special consideration I'm not aware off?
 

tfalk

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2015
Messages
319
Location
Somerset NJ
Also interested...

Having just replaced my bathroom exhaust fan with an ultraquiet from Panasonic, thinking about replacing the radon fan with something quieter as well. Don't remember what I put in 12 years ago but I can hear it running every day.
 

malibu101

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 1, 2005
Messages
3,908
Location
Walnutport PA
Where I work we take care of some homes with radon fans.
All were "pro installed" years ago and had RadonAway fans. Yeah, screw that company.

When they stop working we replace them with Nutone units.
Google Nutone ilf
I don't know if they are officially radon rated (if there is such a thing, like RadonAway would have you beleive) but they move air and are lasting many years for us.

Two ferncos and a wire- Well I ain't not no official radon engineer but I have the capability to replace a simple fan like this.
 
Last edited:

rshadd

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
1,598
Location
Doylestown, PA
I have a Fantech... First one lasted about 10 years, replaced with another Fantech. It's very quiet. There's a float ball gauge in the basement that shows it's pulling a vacuum.
26042894653_1e54c3359b_c.jpg
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

engineer2

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2009
Messages
11,798
Location
Chicago burbs
My Fantech lasted about 5 years before it got noisy.
Called Fantech and they said "non-serviceable, buy a new one".
So I took it apart and found water had gotten into the motor. Replaced the rusty bearing and sealed everything up better than the factory did. It's been good for 5 years now.
 

Showkey

"MEMBER EMERITUS"
Joined
Aug 9, 2014
Messages
8,638
Location
Wausau WI
Many of the big box stores now sell the Radon fans and accessories and instructions on sizing. Often it is a guess on sizing and I was told on one house I sold I might need to install two fans on a large ranch home. Radon sales ( install) during a home sale is often a way to get screwed. They of course wanted to do multiple testing over a couple of weeks. The buyer said screw this I will take the money at closing and install the system myself.

http://www.menards.com/main/search.html?search=Radon

There can be an issue with radon outlet on the roof in cold climates. The warm air discharge can create a perfect setup for ice daming. Had this on my current home. Rerouted the exhaust through the garage attic side wall to resolve.q
 
Last edited:

AKCJ

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
18
We've always used the 4" Fantech in-line fans with the white plastic housing. That's the only fan we recommend for sub slab radon mitigation.
Note that you and also install an HRV to ventilate a basement/crawlspace. Not as good as the sub slab system but usually brings radon down a few points.
 

D45

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 21, 2014
Messages
4,834
Location
NW INDIANA
I also have a Fantech system, from the sealed sump pit and vented outside

Before I bought the house about 3 years ago, upon homeowner inspection, the basement had elevated radon readings

The previous homeowner paid for the system to be installed, which I think was around $1200
 

astroracer

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2005
Messages
3,001
Location
Mid_Michigan
I have no clue what my radon level would be. When we had it measured during the "scare" a number of years ago we got zero. The reason being we leave the furnace fan running 24/7. The house was built in '85 and was built as a super-tight. To get a positive air exchange we use a pair of 8" earth tubes buried around the foundation.
The furnace fan draws fresh air thru the tubes and, because it runs all the time it creates a positive pressure in the whole house. No drafts or "radon leakage" as the pressure is always blowing out, not allowing anything to leak in. Free radon fan? I guess it is. Maybe something to consider... Just leave the furnace fan running.
Mark
 

PT Doc

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Messages
3,197
Had two fantech fans in parallel in previous home. Moved after 14 years, no issues during that time. 220 cfm each.
 

phiftyseven

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
67
We finally move into our newly constructed home and I put a radon meter in the basement. My radon level is fairly high 12-13 and I need to put a fan/pump in. The house is 1800 sq ft. It currently has a passive radon mitigation pipe without a pump that goes down to the drain tile around the footings. I have already caulked all the seams in the basement. The mitigation pipe passes through the garage attic where a pump could be installed and vents through the roof. I was considering a a radonaway rp 145 because this seems to be about the most popular one on the market. I called the company and would not answer any of my questions because I am not a dealer. I am more than capable of installing it myself but want to make sure I pick the proper fan, there are many to chose from!!!!!!! If anybody has any knowledge of this type of system I would greatly appreciate the help. Thank you in advance!

Just a FYI, a radon fan should always be mounted outside the house. In the event of a leak or crack in the pipe, with the fan outside, the radon would still be pushed outside the house. If the fan were mounted anywhere within the house, in the event of a leak, the fan would now be pushing the radon back into the house.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom