Improve Your Health and Life Quality with CO2 Sensors and Home Automation 

We track our steps, count our calories and replace whole milk with oat milk because we are committed to improving our health. But there’s one thing most of us forget to think about: the air we are breathing. Even if your diet is perfectly balanced and your workout routine is strong, poor air quality at home or work can quickly undo all the good work you’ve been doing to stay healthy and active. This is where the unsung heroes of wellness come in: CO₂ sensors. 

These tiny devices might not be too popular right now, but they are a game-changer for your brain, sleep and overall energy levels. And when you pair them with smart home devices, they become invisible guardians of your wellbeing – quietly working in the background to keep the air around your house fresh and your vibe strong. 

Let’s clear the air (literally), shall we? 

The Hidden Problem of High CO₂ Levels Indoors 

CO₂ levels in air quality refer to the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. In open areas, CO₂ levels typically range between 300 and 400 ppm, while indoor levels up to 1000 ppm are generally considered safe.  You must be wondering why the indoor CO₂ levels are higher than outside levels and if this has any effect on our health. Let’s find out! 

Why Does CO₂ Build Up in Our Homes? 

Let’s be real – modern homes are like tightly sealed Tupperware. Great for keeping the cold out, not so great for keeping the air flowing. Every time we breathe, cook or binge-watch our favourite Netflix show, CO₂ starts building up like unread WhatsApp messages on New Year. No big deal for a few minutes but spend hours in the same space and you will be swimming in stale air without even knowing it. 

Add a fireplace, a candle or two and forget to open a window? That’s high CO₂ concentration right there. So, what happens when this greenhouse gas starts piling up inside? 

What Happens When CO₂ Levels Get Too High? 

When we talk about the effects of high CO₂ levels indoors the results aren’t glamorous, but rather quite sneaky. We are talking about brain fog, headaches, lack of concentration, drowsiness and what not. What’s more concerning is you might not notice it happening until you open your room’s window and suddenly start feeling better. That right there is the power of air quality. Sneaky but strong! 

CO₂ Sensors: Spot the Invisible Danger 

You can’t fix what you can’t see, right? Not exactly when it comes to CO₂ – all thanks to the CO₂ sensors. These clever little devices measure how much carbon dioxide is floating around your space and alert you when things start getting out of hand. And if you’re wondering how CO₂ sensors work, it’s simple: based on infrared light absorption, the sensor detects how much carbon dioxide is in the air and informs you in one or more of the following ways: 

• On-device Display: Many CO₂ sensors have a screen showing real-time ppm readings, often with color-coded indicators such as green for safe and red for high CO₂ concentration. 
• App Notifications: Smart CO₂ sensors can connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to apps, showing trends, historical data and alerts.  
• Audible or Visual Alerts: Some sensors beep or flash a light when CO₂ exceeds safe levels. 

More on CO₂ sensors later! 

DIY Ideas to Keep CO₂ Levels Down 

Alright, so we have talked about how CO2 levels can build up in our homes, what their harmful effects are and how we can measure carbon dioxide levels through CO₂ sensors. Now, the next important thing: how can you keep CO₂ under the safe limit inside your home? Here are some of the effective ways to keep CO₂ levels in check while indoors! 

1. Open Windows 

Classic but still one of the best ways. Fresh air is your best friend in the fight against high CO₂. Just a few minutes of opening a window can drop CO₂ levels faster than you think. 

2. Turn on Fans 

Exhaust fans, ceiling fans or those portable ones sitting on our desks – use them to keep the air moving. Pro-tip: for the best results, position a fan near a window to pull in fresh air from outside or push indoor air out. 

3. Smart Automations 

The two methods mentioned above work fine but they require you to always be moving around the house, opening and closing windows and switching fans on or off. That’s where the fun and highly convenient world of smart home automations comes in. You can link your CO₂ sensor with a smart home system like MTronic and automate fresh air fixes.  

For example, you can use smart devices to turn on the exhaust fan when CO₂ levels hit 1000. Or set scenes and automations such as turning on fans for five minutes after every hour to make sure air keeps circulating around the house without you needing to do anything.  

Top CO₂ Sensors That Work with Smart Home Systems 

Let’s meet the A-team. These CO₂ sensors aren’t just pretty devices – they've got brains too and they love making friends with smart home setups. 

1. Aranet4 Pro 

The first on the list is Aranet4 Pro which is minimalist, portable and accurate. This CO₂ sensor gives real-time CO₂ readings on a cute little display. Bonus point? It can connect to your smart home system using third-party hubs like Alexa and Google Assistant.  

2. AirGradient ONE 

Equipped with laser scattering technology, AirGradient ONE is every DIY-lover's dream CO₂ sensor. It tracks CO₂, PM2.5 and even temperature and humidity. Just like the Aranet4 Pro, this one also plays nicely with smart home devices and is ideal if you love tweaking every tiny setting. 

3. Airthings Wave Enhance 

Sleek, silent and packed with features like Sleep Disruptors report, the Airthings Wave Enhance monitors CO₂, humidity, temperature and airborne chemicals. It works smoothly with Google Assistant and Alexa, making it the perfect operator in your smart home technology setup. 

Better Air, Better Sleep, Better Living 

Clean, healthy air is not just about avoiding headaches, it can seriously level up your health and life. With the help of a CO₂ sensor, you can sleep better, focus better and feel better. And the best part? You don’t have to remember to regularly open windows or turn on fans. Once paired with the smart home system, you can set automations that will take care of the air while you sit back and relax. 

Remember, healthy air isn’t a luxury. It’s a basic need and CO₂ sensors help fulfil it!