Can I Use Small PVC Pipe On A Radon Fan?
Stormy
| Posted in General Questions on
I have a mavrick radon mitigation fan (4″ inlet and outlet) I planned on using 3: pipe for radon mitigation but 2″ is half the price as 3″ pipe. Can I just use 2″ pipe for input and exhaust, or is that going to damper results/performance?
Should I just use 3 inch pipe or could I maybe do 3″ input and 2″ exhaust?
Thanks
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Replies
You can do almost anything.
If you decide to not follow the manufactures directions, do you understand that would be a code violation?
If you decide to use the smaller pipe you understand the system will move less air and will be less effective than it should be but there is no way to know if it will work well enough?
If you decide to use the smaller pipe you understand the air in the pipe will move faster and make more noise that may bother you later?
Walta
Stormy,
Remember that by going from a 4" pipe you are reducing what would be a 12.5 sq. in. area to 7 sq. in for a 3", and 3 sq. in. for a 2". That's huge.
You may not be required to follow the code, but the IRC still has good guidance on this: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P1/appendix-af-radon-control-methods#IRC2021P1_AppxAF_SecAF103.5.3. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and not an area where I'd skimp.