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Comment by quickthrowman | Hacker News Reader

> I hope it's okay to ask this question. For you that have these sensors, what actions do you take based on what they tell you? Open more windows when you're cooking? Put on a mask when you vacuum?

I don’t get it either, there’s not much you can do with a residential AQI sensor without adding a bunch of other automation controls.

Commercially, these are used in building automation to do things like turn on the exhaust fans and make up air units in a parking structure when the CO levels go up, or to open an outside air damper in an AHU to let more fresh air in if elevated CO2 levels are detected.

I just don’t see the application for residential use. It’s just a PPM number, does anyone actually take action if the number gets too high? Anyone automate their actions?

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> there’s not much you can do with a residential AQI sensor without adding a bunch of other automation controls.

You don't need automation. I have a portable CO2 monitor (aranet4) and it gives me an indication of how effectively the air is being exchanged. I've learned that my desk location at home is ok during summer and winter, but when temperatures are moderate the furnace isn't running as much, and the CO2 will get quite high. I keep a window cracked when I work there and it's enough to bring it down to reasonable levels. I didnt know this information before getting it. Similar when I was visiting relatives over easter - the CO2 in the bedroom got up to 2500ppm wile I slept (old house, sealed tight but no forced air circulation). I opened the window for the rest of my stay.

I had a similar experience. I got a cheap CO2 sensor from AliExpress, I basically would open a window or the door to my office if it got over 1000 during the day. I don't consciously notice a difference, but it also measures pm2.5 levels and I was surprised at how high they get while cooking.

Then for shits and giggles I brought it with me to the inlaws and after turning it on there was shocked the CO2 levels were 4300ppm!

Suddenly the headaches they would get at home made sense, and they've started opening windows in the mornings to help circulate some air.

Super fast reply from someone else - Yes, I have a standing air filter unit. If PPM went up I’d kick it into max gear.

(Now I have it running on very low continuously and it keeps PPM down)

The unit is rated for spaces 2x my square footage so on max it makes a quick improvement.

For CO2, minimize cooking / burning and kick on the air to attempt circulation. Worst case leave for a bit. (Used to be very sensitive to CO2 levels, it’s getting better).

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