How to Test Your Home for Radon: Complete Guide for 2026

Radon is a naturally occurring,  invisible, odorless radioactive gas that can enter homes from the soil. Because you cannot see, taste, or smell it, testing is the only way to know whether your home has elevated radon levels.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that homeowners test for radon because elevated levels can occur in homes nationwide. Whether you live in a basement, crawl-space, or slab-on-grade home, testing can give you a clearer picture of your indoor air quality.

The good news? Testing your home for radon is relatively simple. You can use a traditional test kit, install a continuous digital radon monitor, or hire a certified radon professional.

Why Should You Test Your Home for Radon?

Radon forms naturally when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. The gas can enter a home through cracks in foundations, construction joints, gaps around pipes, sump pits, and other openings between the building and the ground.

Once inside, radon can accumulate, particularly in areas with limited ventilation. Long-term exposure to elevated radon increases the risk of lung cancer. The EPA estimates that radon exposure is associated with approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year.

Radon is not confined to areas classified as high risk. Elevated concentrations can occur anywhere in the U.S., so location alone cannot determine whether a home is safe.

How to Check Radon Levels in Your Home

There are three common approaches to home radon testing: test kits, continuous digital monitors, and professional testing.

1. Use a Radon Test Kit

A traditional radon test is a straightforward way to screen your home. Short-term tests generally measure radon for 2 to 90 days, with 2 to 7 days being the most common testing period. Long-term tests measure radon for more than 90 days.

To perform a short-term test:

1. Place the detector in the lowest level of the home that is regularly occupied or could reasonably be used as living space.

2. Keep it away from drafts, excessive heat, high humidity, exterior walls, kitchens, and bathrooms.

3. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the required testing period.

4. When testing is complete, seal and return the kit according to the laboratory's instructions.

5. Review the laboratory report and determine whether additional testing or mitigation is appropriate.

Traditional test kits can be convenient and affordable, but results are typically available only after the testing period and laboratory processing are complete.

2. Use a Continuous Digital Radon Monitor

Continuous digital monitors provide another way to check radon levels in your home. Rather than providing a single result at the end of a test, these devices take repeated measurements and allow homeowners to monitor changes over time, without a long wait.

This can help you understand how radon levels fluctuate with weather, ventilation, and seasonal conditions.

Ecosense offers smart radon monitors designed for convenient residential monitoring. Depending on the model, homeowners can view radon measurements and trends digitally rather than relying solely on a single laboratory test result.

For the latest product specifications, measurement intervals, connectivity options, and features, check the details for the specific Ecosense model before purchasing.

3. Hire a Professional Radon Tester

Professional home radon testing services can be useful when you want assistance with test placement and interpretation or when a real estate transaction requires a 48-hour test report according to applicable state requirements.

If you choose professional testing, look for a certified radon measurement professional familiar with the requirements in your state.

How Often Should You Test Your Home for Radon?

How often should you test your home for radon? As a practical baseline, homeowners should test their homes periodically and consider retesting approximately every five years, particularly when previous results were low. The EPA also recommends retesting every two years after radon mitigation to verify the system is working properly and keeping radon levels low.

You should consider testing sooner when:

• You renovate: Major remodeling or foundation work can change how air moves through your home.

• You finish a basement: A previously unused area may become occupied living space.

• You weatherize your home: Major air-sealing or insulation changes can affect indoor air movement.

• You change HVAC equipment: Heating and ventilation changes can influence indoor air conditions.

• You buy a home: Testing can provide important information about the property before or after purchase.

• You install or repair mitigation equipment: Retesting helps confirm that radon levels remain controlled.

A previous low result is not a permanent guarantee. Radon levels can change over time as building conditions and environmental factors change.

Can I Test My Home for Radon Myself?

Absolutely. Homeowners can use commercially available radon test kits or continuous digital monitors.

If you use a test kit, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for placement, duration, and sample handling. If you use a digital monitor, place it according to the manufacturer's recommendations and allow it to collect sufficient data before interpreting longer-term trends.

Professional testing may be preferable when a specific testing protocol is required, such as during certain real estate transactions, or when expert assistance is desired.

How Long Does a Home Radon Test Take?

The answer depends on the testing method.