What’s the best device to measure CO2 in a bedroom?
Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
31–40 of 101 posts
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#32Buy a CO2 monitor.
Then keep a window open enough to keep the air fresh.
I find a few centimeters of gap is all that's needed.
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#33Not being snarky, but a window is one of the best options. Air conditioners can often be your worst option, as the air is recirculated more aggressively. We use a window fan that has multiple settings: circulate, ingress, egress. I find that no matter what setting you use, air is recirculated significantly well. On hot days, the fan is set on egress. This seems to do a really great job of removing excess CO2 while no…
> We also find that simply cracking the windows in the winter makes a large and measurable difference in CO2, but not with heat.
Have you maybe done measurements of what difference between the inside and outside temperature is enough to reduce CO2 without a fan?
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#34Do you have a CO2 monitor? I bought one during Covid to monitor the classroom I teach in. I was surprised by how bad it got: well over 1000 ppm. When I brought the monitor home, I was surprised all over again by 1000+ ppm levels with just a couple of people and a cat. All the efforts to seal the house for energy efficiency were in direct opposition to advice to lower CO2 levels. The only reasonably effective solution…
Another point in the "leaky" house's favor is that it doesn't get as dusty nearly as fast as one with an open window. Granted the severity of this issue depend on where you live :)
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#35In the UK, 'trickle vents' are mandated in new build houses. They're little vents placed above external facing windows and doors that can be opened and somewhat closed. The goal is to allow moisture to escape to prevent mould but they also obviously allow constant airflow. They don't really allow bugs to get in either. video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_2SdLEbHcM
In the UK, trickle vents above windows and doors were historically used for passive ventilation to prevent mould by allowing airflow. However, modern building practices and regulations, including stringent air tightness requirements mandated by Building Control, have shifted focus towards more efficient ventilation solutions like Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems. While trickle vents are still used in some cases, their prevalence has decreased compared to earlier practices
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#36Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is a common term (MVHR). Basically a fan but it tries to recover the heat lost in winter. Usually comes as a whole house system but there are some that do single rooms.
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#37Not being snarky, but a window is one of the best options. Air conditioners can often be your worst option, as the air is recirculated more aggressively. We use a window fan that has multiple settings: circulate, ingress, egress. I find that no matter what setting you use, air is recirculated significantly well. On hot days, the fan is set on egress. This seems to do a really great job of removing excess CO2 while no…
> We also find that simply cracking the windows in the winter makes a large and measurable difference in CO2, but not with heat. Have you maybe done measurements of what difference between the inside and outside temperature is enough to reduce CO2 without a fan?
This is a good question. Last fall I did some experimenting just trying to get the humidity out of my bathroom without a fan and it requires huge temperature differentials to do it in any reasonable amount of time. I bet CO2 is similar. A slight breeze fixes everything though.
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#38You could try to use plants and a growing lamp for them to do photosynthesis.
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#39Do you have a CO2 monitor? I bought one during Covid to monitor the classroom I teach in. I was surprised by how bad it got: well over 1000 ppm. When I brought the monitor home, I was surprised all over again by 1000+ ppm levels with just a couple of people and a cat. All the efforts to seal the house for energy efficiency were in direct opposition to advice to lower CO2 levels. The only reasonably effective solution…
If you have an airtight home, you need a separate ventilator for the reasons you state. New construction building code often requires these.
Re: Ask HN: Best way to remove CO2 in a bedroom?
#40Not being snarky, but a window is one of the best options. Air conditioners can often be your worst option, as the air is recirculated more aggressively. We use a window fan that has multiple settings: circulate, ingress, egress. I find that no matter what setting you use, air is recirculated significantly well. On hot days, the fan is set on egress. This seems to do a really great job of removing excess CO2 while no…
Also if you live in an area with low humidity look into getting a swamp cooler. It won’t make the air as cold as AC but I personally prefer it