How to Read a Manometer

Congrats on installing a radon mitigation system! You’ve taken a step toward protecting your loved ones inside your home. 

After installation, you may have noticed a clear curved tube with colored liquid attached to the system. This device is called a manometer and it displays the level of air suction inside the radon system. Although the manometer doesn’t need to be viewed often, it’s important to check occasionally to verify that your radon fan is running and your system is suctioning. Curious about how to read your manometer? We have you covered!

How To Read Your Radon System Manometer 

When the radon system is turned on, you should see the colored liquid inside the manometer positioned higher on one side than the other. The higher side shows the amount of suction inside the system piping. The larger the number is next to the top of the colored liquid, the higher the suction is in the pipe. 

You don’t need to worry too much about the airflow level; each house is unique and needs a different amount of suction to reduce radon levels. Your radon installer should be trained to determine the correct piping size and radon fan for your house’s unique situation, but if both sides of the liquid are the same height, there is a problem with your system and you should contact the installer.

What To Do if Your meter Reads 0

If your meter reads 0, you should first verify that the flexible tube coming out of the top of the manometer is going into the pipe. If the tube is out of place, contact the company that installed your system. If the tube is in place, put your ear up to the pipe to check if the fan is running. If you hear air flowing, the fan is on and your system should be suctioning. If the tube is connected and the fan is on, but your system is still reading 0, you may need assistance from the company that installed it.

If your fan has turned off, the system will lose its suction, and the manometer will read 0. The most common reason why fans turn off is that a breaker or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) powering the fan has been tripped and needs to be reset. If you still can’t turn the fan back on, call the radon mitigation company that installed the system for assistance.

Checking Your Device

Now you know how to read your manometer, you’re ready to check your system at any time! Keep in mind, it’s common for the meter reading to vary throughout the year. Any change less than 0.4” is nothing to worry about, but if your manometer reading changes more than 1.4”, you might need to recalibrate your manometer. If you recalibrate and the level is still off, contact the company that installed your system.