Before choosing a digital radon instrument, you should first decide whether to use a radon detector or a digital radon instrument. There are pros and cons to both options. By first evaluating your own requirements, it becomes easier to choose the right one.
A radon detector does not show radon content in real time. However, by placing radon detectors in several rooms for more than two months, an annual average value for the entire house can be attained. That value can then be compared with the national limit value for radon in indoor air which is expressed as an annual average value. This determines whether you need to implement a radon reducing measure. This measurement is also important if, for example, a buyer asks about radon levels during a house purchase. Therefore, it is a good idea to use radon detectors if you have never measured for radon before in your home.
A digital instrument can estimate radon levels in individual rooms after mitigation
If, on the other hand, you have already measured using a radon detector and obtained an annual average value near or above the limit value, we recommend that you buy a digital instrument to measure for radon levels in individual rooms over a shorter period of time. The digital instrument can also be used to check how well a radon mitigation procedure has worked.
Choose a digital radon instrument that shows the actual radon content
Today, there are several digital radon instruments where the main focus is usually on how radon levels are presented, either in an app or on a display. However, the most important thing is to check how safely and accurately the radon instrument detects for radon gas. Measuring radioactive radon gas is much more complicated compared to other gases. This is because the radioactive decay from radon gas must be analysed reliably. It is important to be aware that cheaper radon instruments do not show radon levels in real time. Instead, they only show an average of the radon level over a 12 hour period. With this type of instrument, it is not possible to get a good overview of how radon levels vary during the day, which means you can’t see the short-term effect of, for example, changing ventilation.
However, there are digital radon instruments for home use, such as EcoQube, which have the ability to show the diurnal variation. These instruments cost about 100 Euros more than budget instruments. The advantage is that this type of instrument can show radon levels based on an hourly measurement, which enables the user to see how radon levels vary in a single room over a 24 hour period. If you decide to invest in a digital radon instrument, the recommendation is to choose EcoQube or an equivalent instrument. They cost a little more but provide reliable and accurate data about variations in radon levels.
