Customer Reviews

First Alert RD1 Radon Gas Test Kit

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Here's a clue for the other reviewer: if you need to do 2 tests then you need to buy 2 kits.

Here's another clue: if you need a timely response then check before you buy. If your realtor can't help you - get a new realtor!

This kit is easy to use, simple instructions, and accurate results. The main point that I appreciate is that they don't try to nail you with extra lab costs after purchase like some other kits I've seen.

The kit has easy to follow instructions. You set it in an appropriate place, wait 48 hours, fill out a form, put everything in a supplied envelope, add 2 stamps, and send it out. If a few weeks your result arrives. In my case I had to call to get it but it was available on-line.

NOTE - other products want $ for the lab test. This product includes it.

Be aware that you need to put the test in the middle of the room and leave it for 2-3 days (not easy when you have toddlers). Also, it only covers that area, so you may need more than one test.

I was very impressed with this test kit. I ordered from Amazon and it arrived in 5 days. I did order with some other items so I was able to take avantage of the Amazon free shipping. Very simple to use with there easy to understand instructions. I used this tester in my basement and left it for two days. The instructions was to put 3 first class stamps ($1.26) for mailing back to lab and since no stamps went to the post office. I was told it would cost me $1.34 to mail by first class. Clerk saw what First Alert said about postage and told me that they were wrong and that if I had sent it with only 3 stamps it might have gone thru or it could have been returned to me for not enough postage (at least she was honest about this). Because of the thickness of the envelope and the nature of the item was the reason for the increase postage. It took 7 days to receive my report from Md. to Tx. by way of email. You can also request your report by mail. I was very impressed also by the very detail report with additional detail information about radon gas.

The results were not delivered as promised, but after several calls they sent them. The people on the phone are polite, but they will not return the calls proactively. A little chasing was needed.

The results were eventually sent by email, which was convenient.

I was a little hesitant to purchase this test kit. Since I have Prime, it shipped for free so I decided to take a gamble. We have new granite countertops & a few weeks after installation, someone questioned whether I researched radon in granite countertops. I had not researched this aspect of granite countertops prior to installation. Since I have two small children, this really worried me. I bought this kit & set it up in the middle of the kitchen when we were out of town for a couple of days. We came home, shipped it off on 7/8/09 with 4 stamps & had the results via e-mail on 7/13/09. We were very happy with the quick service & even happier to know our kitchen has a below average amount of radon being emitted.

According to the results, the U.S. indoor average is 1.3 pCi/L, and the outdoor average is 0.3 pCi/L. Our level was 0.8 pCi/L.

I would recommend this kit to anyone concerned about home radon emissions.

I ordered two kits at the same time. The results for the first one came back from the lab about 3 weeks after I sent it. My basement measured 8.2 pCi/L. The second one came back at 5.5 pCi/L it also took three weeks. I had my house treated based on these results and the company I hired tested with their professional meter at 0.5 pCi/L after the service was complete. I will buy another one of these kits to see how well it tested after the treatment and how it compares to the two initial tests I did. There was a decent about of variability between the 8.2 and 5.5 readings.....would recommend doing at least two.

So the kit arrived and I followed the directions to the letter. I then sent in the kit using the provided envelope and waited.

After 8 weeks of not hearing anything, I called the First Alert 800 line. They told me I had to call the lab that processes it and gave me the 800 number. I called that number, selected the option to get status and it rolls over to some lady's voice mail. I left a message explaining the situation with all my information. It's now been about a week and still no call back. Nothing. $15 down the drain. I might call First Alert and demand my money back - we'll see how that goes.

So, after doing some further reading, here's some more date on Radon testing. One kit won't do it. First off, you really need to test more than just one room in your basement (and house). And, radon levels can vary over the seasons and with different weather (humidity, rain, etc.). So I added it up and figured I needed to buy about 8 test kits (and that's assuming that the company would actually provide results on those kits - which they didn't).

Well - I finally decided to just buy a detector by Safety Siren. You plug in the detector and it gives you short term and long term averaged readings. It has an alarm and the nice thing is, I can use it throughout the year and test various places in my house. I paid about $120 (free shipping) and it arrived FedEx in three days. If you do the math, it really is a more cost effective way to test for Radon in your house. It's EPA certified and there are great reviews out there on the Internet for it.

So, don't buy this short term test kit. Buy the plug in detector instead. It's more cost effective and you won't go through the aggravation I went through with the First Alert kit.

Most of the Radon Kits at the local big box stores cost about $5 more than this kit PLUS you had to add another $10 for the actual test. I found this kit to be an excellent value with easy directions. The only add'l cost was for 2 postage stamps.

The instructions say two first class US postage stamps affixed to the envelope provided will cover the cost to send your sample for analysis. I did this. To be safe, I went in and double checked at the US Post office before dropping it in the box. I was told I had to pay $.48 additional to the two $ .41 first class stamps for a total of $1.30. The postal lady explained their rules had changed in that this item is now considered something different than a regular letter, hence their postal rates are different, higher of course.