We spend most of our lives indoors – at home, in the office or out visiting shops, restaurants and other public venues. This means that having fresh air indoors is increasingly important – a fact which requires that buildings be properly ventilated.
CO2 levels have long been used as an indicator of indoor air quality, which is why many modern HVAC systems are equipped with CO2 sensors. However, in order for these sensors to be accurate, there are many factors that must be considered and addressed.
Below is a checklist developed by Belimo, a leading provider of sensors, valves and actuators (and a product line that CM3 deploys) to help facility managers understand CO2 and its role in ventilation.
Demand controlled ventilation
Extremes are never good, and this is also true for ventilation. HVAC systems that are constantly working at maximum capacity will lead to high energy consumption and, consequently, exorbitant electricity bills, especially during very hot or cold periods. It is therefore not a surprise that demand-controlled ventilation is currently seen as the gold standard for HVAC systems, and the CO2 concentration is often used as a control parameter, as it correlates closely with air quality. This application relies on sensors providing accurate information on CO2 levels, then activating the system when a specified limit has been reached. Although comfort norms vary around the world, there is a consensus that the CO2 levels should always be kept below 1,000 ppm and should not exceed 1,500 ppm for long periods. A good compromise is to measure and adjust the CO2 levels every 30 seconds, which keeps the air fresh while keeping energy bills low.
Dual detector approach
A common CO2 sensor design consists of a light source and two detectors. As light passes through the measurement chamber, filled with ambient indoor air, it is absorbed by the molecules present. One detector has a filter with a window at around 4.3 μm – which corresponds to a peak in the CO2 absorption spectra – meaning it only registers extinction of light due to the presence of CO2 molecules. In contrast, the reference detector measures the unfiltered light intensity, making it possible to determine the CO2 level by comparing the two measurements. The dual sensor design also helps to counter the drop in light intensity originating from light source degradation or small dust particles. To further enhance the robustness of the sensors, they should be fitted with a dust cover that stops particles from interfering with the detectors.
Long-term stability
Although the dual channel approach is considered to be accurate, it alone cannot guarantee stable long-term measurements, as the baseline can start to drift over time due to aging of sensor components. This can be fixed through automatic baseline correction (ABC), which constantly tracks the sensors lowest reading, and corrects for any drift that is detected. This approach works well for buildings that are unoccupied for periods of time such as offices that are closed during the weekend. However, this drift is not as easy to identify and address in venues that are occupied 24/7, such as hospital emergency rooms, logistic centers or factories. It is therefore crucial to use robust sensors that provide accurate long-term measurements without the need for constant calibration, allowing them to be used in all applications, regardless of occupancy patterns. Additional solutions include deploying a retro-commissioning specialist (like CM3!) to periodically monitor these sensors to ensure accuracy.
Under pressure
A room sensor also needs to be able to accurately measure CO2 levels under any conditions, which means it needs to have a good resistance to both gradual and acute changes in pressure, temperature and humidity.
The pressure differences at different altitudes also need to be accounted for, as even an elevation of 400 m above sea level results in a 70 ppm offset in the measured CO2 concentration. Considering that some regulatory bodies – for example several state governments in the USA – only allow a tolerance of ±75 ppm, this leaves almost no margin for error. Any high-performance CO2 sensor should therefore include absolute pressure compensation (CM3 deploys the Bellimo sensor for this reason!).
Testing and verification
Extended testing should be performed to ensure that the sensor can operate under various conditions in order to guarantee long-term stability and function. Sensors should therefore be tested for an extended period – spanning a number of weeks – covering all possible weather conditions and focusing on those known to put a lot of stress on the device. For example, non-condensing wet heat performance can be tested at 95% relative humidity and 35°C to ensure the sensor exhibits corrosion resistance and can maintain its performance. On the other hand, dry heat measurements should be performed at higher temperatures – 60- 70°C – to confirm that no drift occurs due to the difference in expansion coefficients of the materials. As internal temperature gradients can also play a role in the overall device performance, the sensor elements must be built in a way that minimizes self-heating.
Big Picture
As we spend more and more time indoors, many organizations are controlling indoor air quality by monitoring CO2 levels which then regulate airflow. And having reliable CO2 sensors is critical throughout this process. While most sensors are accurate initially, they can be unstable in the long run, requiring frequent re-calibration. Choosing robust sensors, adhering to maintenance schedules, and working with a professional HVAC company can ensure reliability and accuracy over time. With a range of HVAC, Mechanical and Retro-Commissioning services, CM3 can help.
