Hi HN!
I’ve been working on the RoomYou, a sensor that monitors indoor environments to promote health and comfort. It measures CO₂, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and melanopic lux (M-EDI) in real time.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Tiny living spaces are increasingly common in urban areas, and I also live in a small, modern apartment in a hot/humid region. I can open my windows or use mechanical fans to ventilate, but without them, the CO₂ level can rise rapidly at night from my breath. Using the sensor helps me to understand CO₂ levels so I can manage it and I will sleep better. Research from Harvard shows that CO₂ levels above 1000 ppm can lead to a 15% drop in cognitive function, while levels above 1400 ppm can result in a 50% decline.
I also use the device to manage humidity. When the relative humidity is over 60%, I may feel drowsy, so I use a dehumidifier. When it’s below 30%, I use a humidifier to raise it.
The Importance of Light
Most of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors. While indoor lighting is often bright enough for visual tasks, it can be too dim to support a healthy circadian cycle. We added M-EDI to the RoomYou to measure circadian-supportive light throughout the day. This is particularly useful for those in older buildings that don’t meet newer standards like WELL and BREEAM.
A Professional and Accessible Tool
The RoomYou is a helpful tool for many environments, including care centers, offices, schools, and homes. It uses a self-calibrating non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor for CO₂ measurements.
The sensor is battery-powered and features an E-Ink screen for clear visibility without the nuisance of a screen glaring a night. Measurements are taken at 5-minute intervals, and you can export the data for analysis. The device helps satisfy the requirements of standards like WELL v2™ and ANSI/ASHRAE 62.1-2022.
An app is also available to save and export data, providing valuable insights and helping to meet reporting needs.
Here are some high-level references for more information:
* WHO Housing and Health Guidelines <https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550376>
* EPA Indoor Air Quality <https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guid…>
* Harvard Healthy Buildings <https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu>
I would love your feedback on the device, its features, and any potential use cases. And happy to answer any questions!
You can read more about the sensor here <https://www.luxbalance.com/products/roomyou1>
Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45511635
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