How to improve air quality with probes, detectors, and meters

Historically, it has always been thought that, in our homes, the best thing to do is open the windows and let in fresh air. This can be very gratifying if one lives in an idyllic natural environment, at least as a particular sensation for those who inhabit the dwelling. But letting in street wind does not mean that we are going to improve or control the air quality in our homes. This will only work if we do not have a proper ventilation system.

In reality, the best way to breathe fresh and renewed air is with a mechanical ventilation system that filters the outside air. This way, we receive fresh, clean air from outside, with a constant renewal since ventilation systems never stop working. Opening the windows is the remedy for homes suffering from humidity or stale air problems and that do not have ventilation solutions.

The air quality in our country, and especially in large cities, is not good enough that the best solution is simply to open the windows and let the space renew. For example, in Madrid and Barcelona, contamination is above the limits imposed by the European Union.

This is why, to control air quality, we have tools that will help us measure the quality of what we breathe. And we can also take appropriate measures, such as automatic air renewal systems in case a lower quality is detected.

CO2 detectors to control air quality

In areas where pollution is higher, such as the main Spanish capitals and in areas close to avenues where traffic is notable, the biggest problem we face is carbon dioxide. A good ally to control air indoors in that situation is the CO2 meter.

It is an essential device to know what air we breathe, a sensor to be installed normally in work areas and offices that connects to the ventilation system, especially because CO2 is more common in places with a strong presence of people. The CO2 meter connects to the ventilation system and regulates it according to the pollution level.

They can be single-zone or multi-zone, depending on the occupancy of the premises to be ventilated and whether they are restricted to one area or not. In any case, it is also an efficient way to save energy. The CO2 meter will tell the ventilation system when it needs to renew the air and with what power. Usually, this will be during peak occupancy hours, with the ventilation solution operating at minimum during rest days.

A specific type of CO2 meters are probes to measure air quality, like the one in the photo below.

The probes allow us to monitor and evaluate air quality, and of course, levels of CO2. They are also installed in ducts and in rooms, and work very well together with dual-flow ventilation systems.

In addition to those that measure air quality, there are probes to measure humidity. In these cases, they are reading devices used in indoor spaces to control air humidity and temperature. The magnitudes measured by the humidity sensor are transformed into a standardized electrical signal, which intensity usually ranges between 4 and 20 mA. They can activate air renewal depending on the humidity level they detect.

What more can we use to improve and control air quality in homes and workplaces? Use motion sensors. In these cases, these are devices that work perfectly in areas where the passage of people varies depending on the moment.

For example, in a bathroom, when we want the air extractor to turn on, we can rely on motion sensors to activate its use only at certain times. Normally, extractors are activated with light or through a timer, but both systems are less efficient than sensors.

For better ventilation, having motion sensors is a great advantage that allows us to enhance the flow and volume based on the number of people present at each moment. And not only in the case of bathrooms, but they can be used in rooms and offices.

What solution is the best of all? Undoubtedly, an integral installation considering all these aspects. For instance, installing CO2 meters and probes to know the state of the air at all times. And sensors so that the ventilation system can better adjust to the flow of people and renew the air in those cases.

Regarding the best ventilation systems for this, dual-flow ones are the most efficient. They have two directions of ventilation, one for exhaust and another for introducing outside air. They work in combination with air filters that allow clean air to reach us despite impurities and pollutants on the streets. Because to improve and control the quality of the air we breathe, we do not need to open the windows, but rather have a good airflow of clean air.