By shifting the focus from fan power to strategic radon sealing, we can achieve better Pressure Field Extension (PFE) while slashing operating costs.
In the radon mitigation industry, there is a common reflex when a system isn’t hitting its numbers: “We need a bigger fan.” It’s an understandable instinct. If you aren’t getting the depressurization you need at the far reaches of a slab, you increase the “pull,” right? But as we’ll see in this case study, high airflow is often just a mask for an inefficient system.
a case study for radon sealing
The subject of this study was a residential structure featuring a basement and garage with challenging foundation characteristics: piers with no footings, cold joints, and floor cracks (some hidden beneath rugs).
Initially, the system was struggling. With a single suction point and the fan running, the diagnostics told a clear story:
- Airflow: 70 CFM
- Static Pressure: ~1.2”
- PFE: Minimal to non-existent at the furthest test points (T1–T4).
Essentially, the fan was working hard to move a lot of air, but that air was being pulled from the room rather than from under the slab. The “leakiness” of the house was short-circuiting the system.
By the time we sealed the floor cracks and the hidden gaps under rugs, the airflow dropped from 70 CFM to 10 CFM. Despite moving less air, the pressure under the slab was significantly stronger and more consistent. We weren’t just moving air anymore… We were managing pressure.
The Financial Payoff: Efficiency is Profit
Optimization isn’t just about radon numbers; it’s about the homeowner’s wallet. High-flow systems are expensive to run because they exhaust conditioned (heated or cooled) indoor air.
When we compared the unsealed system to our optimized, sealed system, the results were staggering:
- Unsealed Operating Cost: $191 / year
- Sealed Operating Cost: $56 / year
- Annual Savings: $135
- 10-Year Savings: $1,350
By taking the time to seal strategically, we saved the homeowner more than a thousand dollars in energy costs over the life of the fan, while also providing a quieter system with less mechanical wear.
What did we learn?
For the Radon Professional:
- Don’t default to a bigger fan. A larger fan on a leaky house is just a more expensive way to fail.
- Use diagnostics to guide you. Don’t guess where the leaks are – measure the pressure response at each step.
- Sell the “Value of Efficiency.” Radon reduction is the baseline. An optimized system that is quiet and cheap to run is a premium service.
For the Homeowner:
- Lower radon doesn’t have to mean higher energy bills. Investing in a properly sealed system pays for itself.
For Radon Services, Trust Us
An optimally designed system doesn’t just reduce radon – it does so with the smallest possible footprint. When we seal smarter, not harder, we prove that PFE problems are usually air-leakage problems in disguise.
Ready to optimize your next install? Start mastering the pressure field through diagnostics and sealing with us. Reach out today.