Why every Canadian home should be tested
Radon levels depend on the soil under your foundation, the way your house is sealed, your ventilation, and even the weather — so two neighbours can have very different readings. Health Canada's most recent cross-Canada survey found that roughly 7% of Canadian homes exceed the 200 Bq/m³ action level, and many regions have rates far higher. Check your postal code to see your local average, then test your own home to know for sure.
Long-term test kits vs. real-time digital monitors
Alpha-track and electret kits (~$30–$60)
The most common approach: a small passive detector you place in your home for 91 days or longer, then mail to a lab. You get a single averaged number in Bq/m³. Inexpensive, accurate over the test period, but you wait months for one result.
Real-time digital monitors (~$200–$400)
Electronic monitors like Ecosense's read radon continuously and show daily, weekly, and long-term averages on a screen or smartphone. You see how levels swing with weather, ventilation, and time of day — useful for evaluating mitigation work and for ongoing peace of mind. The upfront cost is higher but the device is reusable.
Where to place the detector
- On the lowest lived-in level — basement if it's used as a bedroom, office, or family room; otherwise the ground floor.
- In a room you spend at least four hours a day in.
- At normal breathing height (about 1 m off the floor) on a shelf or table.
- Away from exterior walls, windows, drafts, sumps, and HVAC vents.
- Run continuously — don't open windows just because the kit is there.
When to test
Health Canada recommends measuring during the heating season (roughly October through April), when windows are closed and basement air is least diluted. A 91-day minimum is required for the result to be considered definitive. Short-term tests (2–7 days) are only useful as quick screens — they often miss the true annual average.
Interpreting your result
Compare your reading to the Health Canada guideline of 200 Bq/m³ and the World Health Organization reference of 100 Bq/m³. Anything above 200 Bq/m³ calls for mitigation within two years; above 600 Bq/m³, within one year. Between 100 and 200 Bq/m³ is below the Canadian action line but still worth lowering when practical. See our safe radon level page for the full breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my house for radon in Canada?
Use either a long-term alpha-track or electret kit (placed for 91+ days) or a real-time digital monitor. Health Canada recommends measuring for at least three months, ideally during the heating season.
How much does a radon test cost?
Long-term kits cost roughly $30–$60 including lab analysis. Real-time digital monitors cost $200–$400 but can be reused indefinitely and show daily variation.
Where do I place the radon detector?
On the lowest lived-in level of your home — typically the basement if it's used, otherwise the ground floor. Place it away from drafts, exterior walls, windows, and HVAC vents.
Are short-term radon tests reliable?
Short-term tests (2–7 days) only screen for very high levels. Because radon fluctuates with weather and ventilation, a 91-day or longer test is the only result that Health Canada considers definitive.
Should I retest after radon mitigation?
Yes. Retest within 30 days of mitigation to confirm the system worked, then again with a long-term test to verify it stays below 200 Bq/m³.
Keep learning
How to read your result against the 200 Bq/m³ Health Canada guideline.
What to do if your test comes back above 200 Bq/m³.
Why testing matters even though radon causes no immediate symptoms.
See the Health Canada average for your area before you test.