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Radon Testing Protocols

For complete information on Radon Testing and Mitigation, please visit the PADEP Radon website.

Where to Test

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends testing the lowest livable area of the building and considers the basement, if any, to be the lowest livable area if it can be used as a living area without major structural changes. For real estate transactions, this is true even if the basement is not currently renovated into a finished living space because the buyer may renovate and use the basement as a living space. Naturally, basements with ground floors or low ceilings would need major structural changes and, therefore, would not be considered the lowest livable area.

DEP recommends testing two or more locations, including the lowest livable, if the house has separate structural zones such as a family room above a crawl space or on a slab-on-grade.

Closed House Conditions

If a radon test is placed for less than four days, all doors and windows must be closed, except for normal entrance and exiting, and all fans and other external/internal ventilation systems, except the furnace, must not be operating for at least 12 hours prior to the test and during the entire testing period. If closed house conditions have not been maintained for 12 hours prior to placement of the test, a 4 day (or more) test is required.

Short-term tests lasting less than four days should not be conducted during severe storms or periods of high winds. In other words, if there are high winds during a 2 day test, the test must be extended to a 4 day test.

Placement: All radon testing devices must be placed at least:

  • 20 inches off the floor
  • 4 inches from other objects
  • 1 foot from external walls
  • 3 feet from windows or other potential openings in the exterior walls
  • at least 48 hours.

Notice: The Radon Certification Act requires that anyone who provides any radon-related service or product to the general public must be certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. You are entitled to evidence of certification from any person who provides such services or products. You are also entitled to a price list for services or products offered. All radon measurement data will be sent to the Department as required in the Act and will be kept confidential. If you have any questions, comments or complaints, concerning persons who provide radon-related services, please contact the Department at the Bureau of Radiation Protection, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection, P.O. Box 8469, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105-8469, (717) 783-3594or (800) 237-2366

Radon Test Prices

  • $150 Add to Base Price if Radon Test added to Home Inspection
  • $25 Add to Radon Price if the test is set before or after Home Inspection
  • $175 for Radon Test without Home Inspection

Radon Test using E-Perm System - Testing will be performed by VBInspect.com, a PA certified Radon testing firm (#1607). For more information about Radon and Radon testing, please visit the PADEP Radon website or the EPA's Radon Page. Please be advised that the radon test will require closed house conditions for 12 hours prior to placement of the test. Closed house conditions will also be required during the test (2-5 days). Click this link for the Radon Placement Requirements. You or your agent should inform the seller about the Radon test.