On this page
Pennsylvania residents who have never tested can often get a free kit for home radon testing through a program run by PA DEP and the American Lung Association, while supplies last. PA DEP also offers free follow-up kits in some special cases. If free kits run out, store kits typically cost about $20 to $30, often with the lab fee included.
Free kits from PA DEP and the American Lung Association
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) partners with the American Lung Association to give out free short-term radon test kits. The program has been promoted heavily each January, during National Radon Action Month. Kits are funded by DEP and EPA grants and are limited, so check the order page for current availability.
Here is how it has worked:
- Who qualifies: Pennsylvania residents who have not yet tested their homes.
- How to order: Enter your ZIP code on the American Lung Association's Pennsylvania radon kit page at lungradonkits.org/pa. The form checks your eligibility.
- Limit: One kit per household.
- Cost: Free, including return postage to the lab.
- Delivery: Allow about 2 to 4 weeks.
- Supply: Limited, so kits can run out.
Other free kits from PA DEP
According to PA DEP's Radon Division, the state also offers free kits in two narrower situations:
- Very high results. Residents whose test came back above 100 pCi/L can request a free short-term confirmation kit by calling the PA Radon Hotline at 1-800-23-RADON (800-237-2366).
- New parents. PA DEP has provided coupons for free test kits to families of newborns through hospitals.
You can also call the hotline with general radon questions, or reach the DEP Radon Division at 717-783-3594.
Low-cost kits
If you cannot get a free kit, a store kit is still cheap.
- Short-term charcoal kits. PA DEP notes that home test kits sold at hardware stores usually cost about $20 to $30. Check whether the lab fee and postage are included.
- Long-term alpha track kits. These run more than 90 days and cost a bit more in most cases. They give a better yearly average.
When you buy, look for a kit analyzed by a lab certified by PA DEP. Pennsylvania requires labs that analyze radon test devices for the public to hold DEP certification.
How to use a free kit the right way
A free kit is only as good as the way you use it.
- Read the directions first. Note how long the test runs and how fast you must mail it back.
- Close the house. Shut windows and outside doors 12 hours before the test and during it, for tests under four days.
- Place it right. Use the lowest lived-in level, at least 20 inches off the floor, away from drafts, exterior walls, sump pits and humid rooms.
- Write down the start and stop times.
- Mail it right away. Labs may reject late kits.
What a free kit can and cannot do
A free kit is a good first screening. It gives you one average number with no hourly data, and it is not the right tool for every job. A home sale usually calls for a test by a DEP-certified tester with a continuous monitor. Pennsylvania requires certification for anyone who tests radon in another person's home. See how the two compare in our guide to a professional radon test vs. home test kit.
What to do with your result
- 4.0 pCi/L or higher: Follow up with a second test, as the EPA recommends. If it confirms a high level, plan to fix the home.
- 2 to 4 pCi/L: The EPA says to consider fixing. A long-term test can confirm your yearly average.
- Below 2 pCi/L: Lower risk. Retest after major home changes.
Why testing matters in York
York County is in EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest potential category. PA DEP reports that about 40% of homes tested in Pennsylvania are above the 4.0 pCi/L action level. A free kit is an easy first step for any York homeowner who has not tested.
Key takeaways
- PA DEP and the American Lung Association offer free kits to residents who have not tested, while supplies last.
- PA DEP offers free confirmation kits for results above 100 pCi/L.
- Store kits cost about $20 to $30.
- Follow the directions closely and mail the kit fast.
- Home sales usually require a certified professional test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are free radon kits as good as store kits?
Yes. They are standard short-term kits analyzed by a lab. The result depends on how well you follow the directions.
What if the free kits are gone?
Buy a short-term kit at a hardware store or from a lab online. Check back next January, when the free program is usually promoted.
Need more than a kit?
If your kit came back high, or you need a result for a home sale, book radon testing in York, PA with our certified tester. Call (717) 356-3035 any time for a same-day callback.