4 ms·

Have you felt benefits from getting your levels lower? What steps did you take? Do you have a sensor you recommend?

by nolroz 5y ago

tailspin2019 5y ago
Also interested in the answer to this!
dbsmith83 5y ago
You can just open a window and circulate air in the home to lower CO2 levels. I use a uHoo sensor https://getuhoo.com/ https://getuhoo.com/
- vkat 5y ago
  How has the uHoo sensor worked for you?
  - dbsmith83 5y ago
    So, I bought one and it was great, but then randomly the CO2 sensor seemed to stop working after a few weeks. It stayed at the exact same ppm level without changing for a while. I sent an email to customer support and they shipped me a new one for free, and didn't even require me to send back the old one. Haven't had any issues since. I'm pretty happy with it.
sparker72678 5y ago
Not the OP, but I've been using a model by Awair for a while now (looks like they've released a new product that's a bit more expensive since I got mine). I work in a very small office shed, and if I leave the door and window closed tight it will quickly get over 2000 ppm (45-60 min). At that point I'm typically feeling more tired, and a bit foggy. By keeping the window cracked I can keep the readings down in the 800-1100 range, and I feel much better.
- Aspos 5y ago
  You may want to look into wall mounted recuperators. They provide decent ventilation while not loosing too much heat.
- BackBlast 5y ago
  Get some plants?
  - Aspos 5y ago
    Office plants can't absorb 1kg of CO2 per day
xyzzy_plugh 5y ago
Yes. I feel much more alert, but oddly I have a much harder time falling asleep. I've since started regular low-dose melatonin which helps a lot. In particular I find I am much less groggy in the mornings, and stepping outside doesn't feel like a breath of fresh air. The changes I made are not options for most. I have an industrial rooftop HVAC unit for a space about 5x larger than my home. The fans run continually and there is no fresh air exchange per se but part of the return duct runs through the attic which is not air-tight, more of an open cavity. I change the air filter every 3 months and keep the returns clean by vacuuming regularly. I try not to close doors to encourage circulation, and my bedroom door had an vent to the hall above it -- not sound or light proof, but doesn't restrict airflow. The key that I've found is airflow. A closed room and a bunch of fans won't help you, but circulating the air of your entire home will make a big difference. It's important that your home breathes. An airtight home is actually very unhealthy, though heating/cooling is more efficient. Lastly, cooking is the worst offender for poor air quality. Having a stove-top exhaust hood that actually filters and vents outside is so important. Cooking without exhaust or fresh air can easily bring the kitchen and surrounding areas near 1000ppm in under an hour. I keep my exhaust vent on more often than not and it makes a big difference. Negative air pressure is good: air is pulled in from outside.

Have you felt benefits from getting your levels lower? What steps did you take? Do you have a sensor you recommend?

by nolroz 5y ago

Have you felt benefits from getting your levels lower? What steps did you take? Do you have a sensor you recommend?

tailspin2019 5y ago

Also interested in the answer to this!

dbsmith83 5y ago

You can just open a window and circulate air in the home to lower CO2 levels. I use a uHoo sensor https://getuhoo.com/ https://getuhoo.com/

vkat 5y ago
How has the uHoo sensor worked for you?
- dbsmith83 5y ago
  So, I bought one and it was great, but then randomly the CO2 sensor seemed to stop working after a few weeks. It stayed at the exact same ppm level without changing for a while. I sent an email to customer support and they shipped me a new one for free, and didn't even require me to send back the old one. Haven't had any issues since. I'm pretty happy with it.

sparker72678 5y ago

Not the OP, but I've been using a model by Awair for a while now (looks like they've released a new product that's a bit more expensive since I got mine). I work in a very small office shed, and if I leave the door and window closed tight it will quickly get over 2000 ppm (45-60 min). At that point I'm typically feeling more tired, and a bit foggy. By keeping the window cracked I can keep the readings down in the 800-1100 range, and I feel much better.

Aspos 5y ago
You may want to look into wall mounted recuperators. They provide decent ventilation while not loosing too much heat.
BackBlast 5y ago
Get some plants?
- Aspos 5y ago
  Office plants can't absorb 1kg of CO2 per day

xyzzy_plugh 5y ago

Yes. I feel much more alert, but oddly I have a much harder time falling asleep. I've since started regular low-dose melatonin which helps a lot. In particular I find I am much less groggy in the mornings, and stepping outside doesn't feel like a breath of fresh air. The changes I made are not options for most. I have an industrial rooftop HVAC unit for a space about 5x larger than my home. The fans run continually and there is no fresh air exchange per se but part of the return duct runs through the attic which is not air-tight, more of an open cavity. I change the air filter every 3 months and keep the returns clean by vacuuming regularly. I try not to close doors to encourage circulation, and my bedroom door had an vent to the hall above it -- not sound or light proof, but doesn't restrict airflow. The key that I've found is airflow. A closed room and a bunch of fans won't help you, but circulating the air of your entire home will make a big difference. It's important that your home breathes. An airtight home is actually very unhealthy, though heating/cooling is more efficient. Lastly, cooking is the worst offender for poor air quality. Having a stove-top exhaust hood that actually filters and vents outside is so important. Cooking without exhaust or fresh air can easily bring the kitchen and surrounding areas near 1000ppm in under an hour. I keep my exhaust vent on more often than not and it makes a big difference. Negative air pressure is good: air is pulled in from outside.