How many of you do Radon detection? What equipment seems to work best?

An inspection company that does 400 inspections a month uses some cheap home owner monitor they bought on Amazon called the Safety Siren Series.

No laws in Utah for how to test for radon.

TriCounty wrote:

MichaelCfffg wrote:I'm in the St. Louis, Mo. area, and most of the inspectors I'm aware of through our ASHI chapter use what I use, the Sun Nuclear Model 1027. They're relatively inexpensive, they're accurate, and they're very easy to use. I wouldn't consider anything else. JMHO

Look at the RadStar 300

I like the reporting and ease of use over the 1027. I sold my 1027's and switched to the 300's

I have 5 of them.

I like my RadStar RS300 so very easy! User friendly! from Radon Away!

Nathan wrote:I wouldn't use anything but Radalink, but that's just me. There's a number of great options out there- I like E-Perms as well.

The reason I like Radalink is everything is done for you and the results are interpreted at an independent lab. The results are guaranteed, as is the reliability of the equipment, and you don't have to worry about calibrations, maintenance, or buying more monitors than you need because Radalink will send you additional units in the busy season.

For whatever reason Radalink pulled out of NJ. I would have loved to get involved with their services.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 04/26/2015 02:02 AM EDT

I'm in Eastern Iowa and about 70-80% opt for a radon test. The logistics involved with placing and retrieving the monitors is more than I want to deal with and quite frankly is just a PIA...so I sub it out now...but still do OK with revenue from it. I have two guys that do testing for me. One uses Sun Nuclear and the other uses Femto-Tech. The later seems to be the better unit and has some built in ability to detect tampering. With that said, more than half of the tests are above above the EPA recommenced limit regardless of the brand of monitor. Side note...most new construction in my area have passive mitigation systems from the builder and some even have active systems. But the corn grows good regardless...eat up.

Just got started (in fact I'm running my AIRCAT test right now.) Using RADALINK because of the ease of getting the job done. Terry has been great starting with answering my questions, to training in Melbourne back in January, to finally pulling the trigger and getting the system. The only trick was getting the blue tooth connection. I plan on getting another inspector certified so we can trade off in setting up and picking up.

I have been using RadStar RS800 radon monitors without any problems. They have been reliable and printing out the result on site has given me peace of mind. I've always feared that I would get back to the office and plug it into the computer to find something failed. That may not ever happen, but I feel better anyway. I can also send a quick email to my client and let them know about the results.

Well, I figured I would save money in the long run if I purchased equipment outright. I opted for the Sun Nuclear 1030 Radon Sentinel because it had all of the features of the RS800 plus barometric pressure readings. I called Sun Nuclear and asked about availability and was told 5-7 weeks. I wanted to purchase 2 of them but because of the wait, I purchased 1 and ordered another rental. 12 weeks later my new monitor arrived. I added batteries, plugged it in and started testing. I really liked being able to download company info and setting the internal clock with my computer. 48 hours later, I had 22 readings?? Well, I figured that I probably did something wrong and tried again. Second try similar result. I contacted Sun Nuclear support and asked a few questions wondering if I had missed some part of the learning curve. I found it very difficult to get my questions answered. They just wanted me to send the brand new monitor back for repair. Well, I wasn't happy about that. I had already waited so long to receive the monitor, lost the better part of a week testing to be sure it worked and now I had to send it back to Florida for repairs. I pondered just asking for a refund but liked not having to use a key and having fewer cords to plug in and not to mention the barometric pressure reading, so I paid for shipping ( they pointed out that was in the terms ) and sent it back. They had it at the end of the week. 2 weeks later they shipped it back via UPS and then nothing. UPS lost it! Not Sun Nuclear's fault but very frustrating! After all, if the brand new monitor worked, all the lost time and shipping would not have been needed. I sent them an email explaining just how bad the experience had been with the wait of almost twice the original estimate only to receive a defective device and someone listened. UPS would not tell me anything other than how sorry they were and they would keep the shipper, Sun Nuclear apprised of their findings. SNC sent another monitor a couple weeks later which arrived a couple days after the original suddenly showed up at my door. Now I had the replacement... I emailed support and asked what to do with the replacement, ready to refuse to pay shipping for it's return but was shocked when the reply came back that I had suffered enough to deserve to keep the second monitor for no charge! Wow, what a pleasant surprise! What an excellent way to make up for my bad experience! I asked for the charger and cable required to operate it and offered to pay. They said no, we'll send you that for free. Even better right?

If that sounds to good to be true, it was. I plugged in the new monitor with the charger for the first one and ran a 48 hours test. 5000 pCi/l for the first few hours?? I asked if this was possibly a residual effect of the calibration? No, send it back. We're very sorry and we'll send you a replacement they said. They even sent a free shipping label this time. I could not complain too much as it was being given to me. Or so I thought. I get a confirmation that the monitor was received a few days later and go on with my life. Now all my monitors are out so I thought to check on the status of my replacement. I hoped that they might opt to repair the device rather than send me a third one that might be defective. The other 1030 seemed to be working correctly after all. I was notified by support that since the first device was working, they would not return the second! Okay, I didn't ask for the second one to be given to me, I expected to return it at their expense. But after the terrible experience with the first monitor, I didn't mind being treated to a free one. Who would? I confirmed that the anonymous person in support was aware of my experience and notified them that I had been told in writing that it had been decided I would be given this one and then promised in writing to receive a replacement when it turned out to be defective like the first one. This was disappointing. I wanted to believe that my first experience was unique and not their regular way of doing business, but I was proven wrong. They could care less about customer service. I have asked if I can return the original monitor for a refund and they have agreed. I even received a call from the sales rep who initially took my order to confirm that I'll get a refund. Well at this point, I'll believe it when it's back on my card. I'm cutting ties with Sun Nuclear for good. I would not recommend them to an enemy. I know other inspectors have had a better experience but this is mine.

I have been having the same problems with sun nuclear. I sent a monitor in for repair, they sent it back almost 3 months later. It worked once then went dark again. Sent it back to them and took another 2 months to get it back. Same result. I have now sent it in for the 3rd time. I have been without this 1028 monitor for almost half a year and it was less than 2 yrs old

They told me today that they had halted production of the 1030. I guess I wasn't the only dissatisfied customer. They manufacture medical equipment, isn't that kind of a scary thought?

I can only speak of the 1027's and they are ok. they dont come with any software, just a .txt file is created and you have to import it to excel which just another step. I like the option of renting, might try it since its $175/year to calibrate from sun nuclear

mikeauger wrote:

TriCounty wrote:

MichaelCfffg wrote:I'm in the St. Louis, Mo. area, and most of the inspectors I'm aware of through our ASHI chapter use what I use, the Sun Nuclear Model 1027. They're relatively inexpensive, they're accurate, and they're very easy to use. I wouldn't consider anything else. JMHO

Look at the RadStar 300

I like the reporting and ease of use over the 1027. I sold my 1027's and switched to the 300's

I have 5 of them.

update: I have 10 now...

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 11/13/2016 07:40 PM EST

Nathan wrote:I wouldn't use anything but Radalink, but that's just me. There's a number of great options out there- I like E-Perms as well.

The reason I like Radalink is everything is done for you and the results are interpreted at an independent lab. The results are guaranteed, as is the reliability of the equipment, and you don't have to worry about calibrations, maintenance, or buying more monitors than you need because Radalink will send you additional units in the busy season.

Nathan can you give me a good source for purchasing a radalink unit thanks

Steven, Radalink apparently only leases their CRMs to radon testers. I am currently considering their equipment also.

They can be reached at http://radalink.com/.

I have been using SUN Nuclear model 1027 continuous Radon monitors for over 10 years. I love them. Simple well built machines. I have 4 monitors and the only issue I have had is needing to replace 2 AC power cords. SUN Nuclear has newer models with more options, but the 1027 is a workhorse.

One of the benefits of Radalink is that they handle the QA plan and calibration that are part of a state-of-the-art radon testing program. That is one of the reasons I am considering using their equipment.

Quite a few replies here indicated some inspectors owned multiple CRM machines. I wonder what percentage of CRM owners actually follow a QA plan AND calibrate their units annually. Calibration can become expensive with multiple units.

Here in Michigan (as in many other states) there are no state-mandated radon standards. Nevertheless, I will only use methods which meet or exceed scientifically established minimum industry standards when conducting radon tests. To do otherwise without valid evidence supporting a unique approach is offering a service of very questionable value.