What Is an Air Quality Monitor?

What Is an Air Quality Monitor and How Does It Work?
An indoor air quality monitor (IAQM) is a device that detects the presence of gases and particulates — small solid and liquid particles — that may be dangerous to one’s health. Radon, carbon dioxide, VOCs, and other dangerous compounds and gases, as well as airborne dust, pollen, and mold, are typically measured using air quality monitors.

According to Dr. John McKeon, CEO and founder of Allergy Standards Ltd, whether you require an indoor air quality monitor is dependent on a few things. “Some patients, especially those with respiratory or other pertinent medical concerns,” he says, “could benefit from having a gadget that keeps them informed.” People in homes with established IAQ and those who aren’t troubled by indoor air pollution, he adds, aren’t affected.

What is the Function of an Air Quality Monitor?

Multiple sensors are installed in air quality monitors to detect various sorts of contaminants.

By decreasing oxygen and detecting its concentration through an electrode, an electrochemical sensor detects oxygen levels and the presence of hazardous gas. Particle detectors use a laser to search for dust, pollen, and mold in the air inside the sensor.

The monitor can determine the concentration of particles in the residence based on the strength and array of the beam. The monitor shows the current air quality in the space. To highlight danger levels, some utilize color-coded or numbered systems.

What Can Air Quality Monitors Tell You About?

Depending on the monitor, indoor air quality monitors can detect a variety of risks. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and radon are common examples. They also assess volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be found in building materials such as plywood and particleboard, as well as fuels, cleaning solutions, paint, and other typical home items.

Particle sensors in air quality monitors can detect particulate concentrations and notify you whether they’re dangerously high. However, they are unable to identify the particles. Mold, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander are all indistinguishable to them. Most monitors also measure the amount of oxygen in the air.

Air Quality Monitors’ Features

There are three types of indoor air quality monitors:

Models that measure the air around them and display a reading of current conditions on a tabletop or floor model.
“Smart” air quality monitors that are installed on the wall or ceiling and measure the air quality around them. These interact with a smartphone app and send the homeowner results or notifications.
Users can carry portable, handheld monitors from room to room. There is a display screen on these.

How to Select the Most Appropriate Air Quality Monitor for Your Residence

McKeon advises knowing what you want to track before buying for an indoor air quality monitor. If you reside in a region where radon gas is a concern, be sure you get a radon gas monitor – not all of them do. Make sure your monitor detects humidity and particles if you have mold allergies. Choose a monitor that detects smoke, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide if you live in a wildfire-prone area.

Installation, use, and safety of an air quality monitor

It’s as simple as plugging in an indoor air quality meter or downloading an app and connecting to the device that way. However, there are also other factors to consider.

Monitors, not correctors, are what they are. An air quality monitor will notify you of problems, but it will not solve them. It could be as simple as opening the windows more often, or it could be as complicated as radon gas or mold remediation.
Air quality monitors are only useful if you check their screens on a regular basis, unless you have a smart monitor that sends you notifications.
They simply take measurements of the air that surrounds them. Just because your monitor in the living room provides you a clear readout doesn’t mean there isn’t something harmful going on.