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Radon is an invisible gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can move through the ground and enter a home through small cracks and openings in the foundation. Because you cannot see or smell radon, testing is the only way to know your level.
Radon levels are not the same all year. Weather and home conditions can change how much radon gets pulled inside.
In winter, many homes in Utah are closed up to keep warm. Windows stay shut and fresh air does not move through the house as much. This can trap radon inside.
Winter can also create a stronger “stack effect.” Warm air rises and escapes through the top of the house. When that happens, the house can pull in air from below, including soil gas that may contain radon. Frozen ground can also act like a lid, which may push more soil gas toward the foundation.
Spring weather can swing between cold and warm days. Rain and melting snow can soak the soil. When soil becomes wet, air spaces in the ground can change, and radon movement can change too. In some homes, radon goes up after heavy moisture. In other homes, it may drop. This is one reason short-term tests can give different results depending on the week.
In summer, people may open windows more often or run fans and air conditioning. This can increase air exchange and sometimes lower indoor radon.
But summer can still bring higher readings in some homes. For example, if the home stays closed up with the air conditioner running, radon can build up. Also, if the basement is cooler and the upper floors are warmer, air movement can still pull soil gas in.
As temperatures cool, windows start closing and heating systems turn on. The stack effect can return, and radon levels may climb. Fall is also a common time for storms and changing air pressure, which can affect how gases move in and out of the soil.
Seasonal changes matter because radon risk is based on your average exposure over time. A low reading in summer does not always mean you are safe in winter. The opposite can also happen.
If you test and the results are near the action level, it is smart to follow up with another test, or use a longer test that measures over weeks or months. Long-term tests can give a better picture of your typical exposure.
If your home has elevated radon, mitigation systems can reduce it. These systems are common, effective, and usually run quietly in the background.
The first step is simple: test. Utah Radon Services offers free radon testing so you can find out what is happening in your home in every season. If you are curious, moving into a new home, or just want peace of mind, schedule a free test and get clear results you can act on.
