Planning for Radon Safety: Understanding the Cost of Mitigation Systems
You’ve tested your home for radon and discovered your levels are above the EPA-recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L. That means it’s time to invest in radon mitigation to help protect your family’s health. But how much do radon mitigation systems cost? And how do you plan for it? In this guide, we cover the factors that affect mitigation costs, how to budget for a system, and how financing can help ease the process.
Factors That Impact Radon Mitigation Cost
Most services, from car repairs to plumbing fixes, don’t have a single set price, and radon mitigation is no exception. Radon mitigation system prices vary depending on factors like your location, home size, age of home, and the complexity of the installation.
Where You Live
Labor prices, equipment costs, and even contractor availability are all determined by where you live. Mitigation costs in a city like Denver may differ from those in a city like Nashville. For example, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment states that mitigation systems in Colorado usually cost around $1,000 to $2,000. On the other hand, the Tennessee Radon Program shares a typical price range between $1,500 and $2,000.
Your Home Size
Radon mitigation systems work by pushing radon-tainted air outside your home using a series of PVC pipes and a fan. When you have a bigger home, more piping, labor, and equipment are needed to install an effective mitigation system, increasing the overall cost.
Your Foundation Type
Radon seeps into your home from the soil underneath, and the type of foundation your home has determines how we address your radon problem. Prices differ depending on whether you have a crawl space, basement, slab-on-grade, or combination of foundation types. Homes with crawl spaces tend to come with higher mitigation costs.
Type of System Needed
There are several types of radon mitigation systems, each designed to address different foundation types and home layouts. These systems have varying price levels.
Sub-Slab Depressurization: A pipe is installed under the concrete slab, and a fan draws radon gas from beneath the slab and vents it safely outside. This system is common in homes with basements or slab foundations.
Drain Tile Depressurization: If your home has a perforated pipe (drain tile) around the foundation, this radon mitigation system can connect to it. The system will pull radon from the soil via the drain tile and vent it outside.
Sub-Membrane Depressurization: Meant for homes with dirt or gravel crawl spaces, this system involves covering the soil in the crawl space with a thick plastic sheet (membrane). A vent pipe and fan then pull radon-laden air from beneath the membrane and release it outside.
Active Crawl Space Depressurization: This system is a less effective option. Air is drawn directly from the crawlspace using fans to dilute the air inside and lower radon levels. However, it usually doesn’t work as well as sub-membrane suction and needs extra care to make sure combustion appliances don’t backdraft and the crawl space is sealed off from the rest of the house.
Block Wall Depressurization: If your foundation walls are hollow concrete blocks, a pipe and fan system can be installed inside them. The system draws radon from inside the hollow spaces of the block walls, not just under the slab.
Sump Pit Depressurization: This system seals your sump pump pit and uses it to pull radon gas from beneath the home and vent it outside.
Systems like sub-slab or drain tile depressurization tend to be less expensive than options like sub-membrane depressurization.
Installation Difficulty
The complexity of the install is a significant pricing factor. If installers have to work around finished basements, tight crawl spaces, or extensive landscaping, labor costs can rise. Some homeowners also like to add customizations to hide or blend components with the home, which can add to costs.
How Do You Budget for a Radon Mitigation System?
The first step toward budgeting for your mitigation system is gathering quotes from local radon experts. No two homes and no two installs are the same, so the only way to know how much your exact system will cost is to go directly to the source. Get quotes from at least 2 to 3 installers to ensure fair pricing, but don’t always choose the cheapest option just because it’s cheap. Choose a certified installer (like through the NRPP) — quality matters for health and long-term system performance.
Once you know how much a system will cost for your unique circumstances, you’ll know how much you need to save and can start setting money aside.
Financing Your Mitigation System
The Radon Guys are committed to making clean, safe indoor air accessible to everyone with cost-effective radon mitigation solutions in the Nashville area. We understand the cost of mitigation can be outside your budget, which is why we offer convenient financing options through MoreHouse Finance to ensure everyone can improve the safety and quality of their home's air.
Maintenance and Service
Aside from the initial installation price of a radon system, you also need to consider the costs associated with maintaining it. For example, components like the radon fan wear out over time and will need to be replaced. (The Radon Guys provide a 10-year warranty for our fans — 5 years longer than the manufacturer’s warranty — so replacement costs should be infrequent.)
Regular testing and service are needed to ensure your system continues functioning as it should. Radon monitoring devices tend to be affordable and let you keep an eye on your radon levels year-round. System maintenance and services can also be cost-effective if you choose the right company. We offer service plans as low as $129/year, which include annual testing, inspection, cleanout, and crack resealing, making it easy and affordable to keep your mitigation system in working condition.
Is Radon Mitigation Really Worth It?
Some homeowners feel overwhelmed by the cost of installing a radon mitigation system, but the investment is definitely worth your long-term health and peace of mind. Prolonged radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with smoking being the first. It’s hard to put a price cap on the health and well-being of your family.
Radon mitigation systems can further benefit you if you plan to sell your home in the future. A mitigation system can actually raise home value or remove a buyer's objection. Homes with high radon levels are harder to sell, so you can set yourself up for future success by installing a mitigation system today.
Worried About Radon Costs? We’re Here to Help
Are you ready to invest in the safety of your home with a radon mitigation system but feel concerned about costs? At The Radon Guys, we provide transparent, cost-effective solutions tailored to your home and budget. Contact us for a free estimate and learn how we can help you secure clean, safe indoor air without breaking the bank. Protect your family’s health with our trusted NRPP-certified radon mitigation services in Nashville and surrounding areas.
