Northwest Territories · Home health · checked September 28, 2026

Radon testing in Yellowknife

Radon is invisible, has no smell, and is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. In Health Canada's national survey, 5.4% of homes tested in the Northwest Territories health region were above the guideline, and the only way to know about your house is to test it.

Ask a question → The radon testing guide
A small digital radon monitor on a bookshelf in a finished basement family room

2012 survey (health region)

5.4%

185 homes

Test length

3+ months

mostly in the heating season

Guideline

200 Bq/m³

DIY long-term kit

$30–$60

How Yellowknife is built

Yellowknife's houses by when they were built Ten house shapes, one for each tenth of Yellowknife's 5,225 houses. Before 1961: 3%, 1961–1990: 54%, 1991–2000: 21%, 2001 or later: 22%. Older houses glow hotter.
  • Before 1961 3%
  • 1961–1990 54%
  • 1991–2000 21%
  • 2001 or later 22%
Each house stands for one in ten of Yellowknife's 5,225 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row and duplex), drawn by when it was built. The glow shows the usual pattern: older houses tend to be leakier and less insulated. Snowfall scales with heating degree-days. Sources: Statistics Canada 2021 Census (table 98-10-0233-01), NRCan HOT2000 climate data.

Radon in Yellowknife

Health Canada's 2012 survey found 5.4% of 185 homes tested in the Northwest Territories health region above the guideline.

No survey can tell you about a single house, because neighbouring homes can differ widely. Testing is the only way to know.

How to test properly

  • Use a long-term test of at least three months, with most of it in the heating season, which gives the most conservative result.
  • Place the detector in the lowest level you spend four or more hours a day in, away from drafts, and follow the kit's instructions.
  • If the result is above 200 Bq/m³, Health Canada recommends fixing it within a year, sooner if it's much higher.

Our full radon testing guide.

Kits and professionals in Yellowknife

  • We found no NWT radon program; long-term kits can be ordered from lung associations.
  • For a professional measurement or mitigation, search the C-NRPP directory by your Yellowknife postal code; it lists certified measurement and mitigation professionals.

Rules and help in Northwest Territories

  • The NWT adopted the 2020 National Building Code in full (enforced October 1, 2024), including its radon rough-in for new homes.
  • If your level is high, mitigation (usually a sub-slab depressurization fan system installed by a C-NRPP-certified professional) typically costs $2,000–$4,000.

Radon testing in Yellowknife: common questions

Is radon a problem in Yellowknife?

Health Canada's 2012 survey found 5.4% of 185 homes tested in the Northwest Territories health region above the guideline. Any home can have high radon, so Health Canada recommends testing every home.

How long should a radon test take?

At least three months, with most of it during the heating season. Short tests can't tell you your long-term average.

Where can I get a radon test kit in Yellowknife?

We found no NWT radon program; long-term kits can be ordered from lung associations. Hardware stores and lung associations also sell long-term kits for about $30–$60.

What does radon mitigation cost?

Typically $2,000–$4,000 for a sub-slab depressurization system installed by a C-NRPP-certified professional.

Radon testing near Yellowknife

Radon testing in Edmonton993 kmRadon testing in Sherwood Park998 kmRadon testing in Whitehorse1107 kmRadon testing in Red Deer1135 kmRadon testing in Saskatoon1237 km All 70 cities →

Sources

Checked September 28, 2026. Census figures are for the municipality (Northwest Territories); climate data is NRCan's HOT2000 station Yellowknife (5 km away).

Ask about radon testing in Yellowknife

Tell us your postal code and what you’re dealing with. We’ll reply with the right kind of certified professional or lab for your area, and which programs apply.

Email us what you’re planning, your postal code and the type of building (a house, a duplex or triplex, or a larger multi-unit building) — we’ll reply with registered service organizations for your area and which rebates apply.

Email dave@clickshift.ca

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