What Is Radon and Why Calgary Homes Are at Risk
If you’re a homeowner or property manager in Calgary, understanding radon gas and its seasonal behavior is essential to safeguarding your indoor air quality year-round. Radon is invisible, odourless, and potentially deadly—and factors unique to Calgary, such as our formational geology and sub-zero winters, make local homes especially vulnerable. With exposure posing serious health risks even for non-smokers, there’s no room for complacency when it comes to monitoring radon levels indoors.
Need accurate results you can trust? Calgary Radon Detection offers certified Radon Testing in Calgary with fast turnaround and expert analysis. Whether you're buying a home or protecting your family, our professional radon test gives you the answers you need. Book your test today.
Understanding radon as a radioactive gas
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms when uranium in the soil, rock, or water breaks down. Once produced, radon seeps into buildings through cracks in foundations, sump pits, and other ground-level openings. Because it’s undetectable without specialized equipment, it can quietly accumulate in enclosed spaces—particularly basements and lower floors—without any warning signs.
Did you know? Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking.
Radon and Calgary’s geology: Why it matters
Calgary sits on a complex geological landscape, rich in glacial till and shale-based soils that naturally release higher levels of radon into the ground. This means that even newer, well-sealed homes across neighborhoods like Tuscany, Shawnessy, and Bridgeland can still experience elevated indoor radon concentrations—especially without a mitigation system in place.
Indoor air quality and radon’s invisible threat
The tight building envelopes of modern Calgary homes, designed to improve energy efficiency, can actually trap radon gas indoors. Unlike carbon monoxide, radon exposure has no immediate symptoms—yet long-term inhalation increases cancer risks significantly. Monitoring and managing indoor air quality with consistent radon testing becomes especially important in treating this hidden threat seriously.
Awareness is the first step. Learning how radon affects your Calgary home equips you to act before your health is at risk.
Why Radon Levels Fluctuate with the Seasons
If you’re wondering why radon levels spike during Calgary’s coldest months, you’re not alone. Seasonal changes—from how air moves inside your home to how tightly you seal your windows—directly impact your indoor radon exposure. Understanding this fluctuation is key to effective year-round protection and smart testing strategy. With Calgary winters making homes more vulnerable to invisible radon buildup, testing during colder months is not just helpful—it’s vital.
The science behind radon entry: stack effect and pressure differentials
Radon infiltration isn’t random—it’s driven by physical forces. The stack effect occurs when warm air rises inside your home in winter, creating negative pressure in the lower levels. This draws in soil gases (including radon) through foundational gaps. Coupled with low wind speeds and stagnant outdoor air, these pressure differentials can significantly increase indoor radon entry, especially in energy-efficient Calgary homes.
Why your home traps more radon in winter
During Calgary’s long winters, residents keep windows and doors shut tight to conserve heat. While efficient, this habit seals in radon gas, reducing natural air exchange and allowing concentrations to build up undetected. Fireplaces, furnaces, and even range hoods can exacerbate the issue by pulling more radon in from below ground. Unventilated basements are prime danger zones during this seasonal shift.
Don't leave your family's health to chance. A professional home radon test in Calgary takes the guesswork out of indoor air quality. Calgary Radon Detection uses Health Canada-approved methods to deliver results you can act on. Schedule your test now.
Health Canada studies show that Calgary homes average 35–50% higher radon readings in winter months.
Local statistics: Calgary winter vs. summer radon levels
Independent studies and public health data confirm a consistent seasonal pattern in Calgary: homes often show radon readings significantly higher in winter compared to summer. In fact, readings that are considered safe during summer can jump into Health Canada’s action range (200 Bq/m³ and above) once heating season starts. It’s why winter radon testing in Calgary is widely recommended for the most accurate assessment.
Don’t wait for summer peace of mind. The best time to test for radon in Calgary is right now—especially if temperatures have dropped.
Why Winter Is the Best Time to Test Your Calgary Home
Winter radon levels in Calgary provide the most accurate indicator of your home’s long-term exposure risk. Due to closed windows, reduced ventilation, and the natural stack effect during colder months, indoor radon accumulates at its highest — giving homeowners vital insight into worst-case levels. With Calgary winters being long and cold, winter is the ideal testing window to capture meaningful data and take timely action before levels rise further.
Winter radon levels show true indoor exposure risk
In Calgary homes, winter conditions exacerbate radon concentration. As heated indoor air rises, it creates a suction effect at the base of your home, drawing radon gas from the soil into basements and ground floors. Because homes remain closed off from outdoor airflow in winter, this radioactive gas has nowhere to escape, resulting in higher concentrations. Testing during this period gives a clearer picture of your family’s actual year-round risk.
Winter radon tests offer the most accurate snapshot for homes in Calgary due to increased indoor retention.
Short-term vs. long-term radon tests in cold climates
Radon testing options in Calgary generally fall into two categories: short-term (48 hours to 7 days) and long-term (90 days to 12 months). While long-term tests offer seasonal averages, short-term tests in winter months often reveal critical peaks. Experts recommend beginning with a certified short-term winter test for quick insights, followed by long-term monitoring if levels approach or exceed Health Canada’s threshold of 200 Bq/m³.
What happens after high results: next steps
If your winter radon test shows levels above recommended guidelines, don’t panic — solutions are effective and accessible. The next step involves a follow-up assessment by a certified professional and discussion of mitigation strategies like sub-slab depressurization. Most mitigation systems can be installed within a day and reduce radon by over 90%.
Worried about radon? We’re offering no-cost testing for homes in Calgary and surrounding areas. Protect your health — book your free radon test today!
DIY Kits vs. Certified Professional Testing in Calgary
Choosing between a DIY radon kit or professional testing in Calgary often comes down to confidence, compliance, and clarity. Both methods can detect the presence of radon in your home, but there are significant differences in accuracy, turnaround time, and peace of mind. Understanding these differences helps homeowners and property managers make informed, health-focused decisions.
What to expect from DIY kits
DIY radon kits are cost-effective, typically ranging from $30 to $70, and are available at hardware stores or online. They require proper placement, consistent usage over a defined period, and timely mailing to a lab for analysis. However, these tests are not tamper-proof and are vulnerable to errors in placement, temperature shifts, and user handling — potentially yielding unreliable results.
Certified tests are required for real estate transactions and legal mitigation thresholds.
Benefits of professional radon testing
Certified professional testing in Calgary uses calibrated electronic monitors that detect fluctuations in radon levels hourly. These devices are tamper-resistant and offer accurate, real-time results. Within 48 hours, you’ll receive a summary report interpreted by an expert — ideal for both peace of mind and action planning. Professional testing also meets Health Canada guidelines and is eligible for certified documentation during property transactions or mitigation consultations.
Professional testing delivers calibrated, tamper-proof results in 48 hours or less.
Side-by-side comparison: accuracy, cost & turnaround time
- DIY Kits: Low upfront cost, longer wait times, possible user error, not real estate compliant.
- Professional Testing: Fast results (48h), legally compliant, highly accurate, includes expert analysis.
Book your free professional radon test from Calgary Radon Detection. Fast, certified, and hassle-free — get peace of mind today!
Radon Mitigation: What Calgary Homeowners Need to Know
If your radon levels are high, installing a professional mitigation system can protect your family’s long-term health and boost your property value. Calgary homeowners have options — and local solutions exist that are fast, affordable, and highly effective. Learn how these systems work, what the installation process involves, and hear real stories from neighbors who made the smart choice to mitigate.
How mitigation systems work: sub-slab depressurization explained
The most common and effective radon mitigation method is sub-slab depressurization. This system uses a specialized PVC vent pipe inserted below your basement floor slab to actively draw radon gas out from beneath your home and vent it safely above the roofline using a continuously running fan. This reverse-pressure strategy prevents the gas from entering your living space, keeping radon levels consistently low regardless of the season.
After mitigation, our client’s radon levels dropped from 520 Bq/m³ to under 50 — well below Health Canada guidelines.
Post-testing mitigation steps
Once high levels are confirmed, Calgary Radon Detection provides a detailed mitigation consultation. This includes a home inspection to determine system configuration, a quote, and scheduling. Most installations take less than a day and immediately start reducing exposure. Follow-up testing within 30 days confirms success and ensures compliance with Health Canada’s guidelines.
Local testimonials: Calgary homeowners who took action
James M., a Calgary resident, shared his family’s experience:
“We installed a mitigation system within weeks and immediately noticed peace of mind.”
Like James, many Calgary homeowners find not only safety — but relief — knowing their indoor environment is protected year-round.
Need a mitigation plan? Get a free consultation and customized system quote from Calgary’s radon safety experts — contact us today.
