CO2 Sensor Improves Energy Efficiency in HVAC

August 08, 2023

HVAC and CO2 Applications

What is a CO2 sensor in HVAC?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in homes, schools and office buildings commonly use carbon dioxide sensors to monitor and control indoor air quality.

CO2 gas sensors measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the air to monitor the performance of the HVAC system and insure the proper amount of fresh air is available for safety and comfort..

In addition to CO2 sensors, other HVAC sensors used monitor indoor air include:

Temperature sensors for monitoring temperature
Humidity sensors for monitoring humidity levels
Pressure sensors to monitor air flow between zones
Position sensors to open or close ducts
Flow switches to provide feedback on air flow in ductwork
Vibration sensors used in commercial cooling towers
Gas sensors to monitor levels of specific gases like oxygen, carbon monoxide or combustible gases in the air

In addition, CO2 sensors are also used because guidelines continue to be issued for businesses to enhance ventilation and use carbon dioxide sensors to mitigate the transmission of air-borne illnesses.

Why do we need CO2 sensors?

Controlling and monitoring indoor levels of carbon dioxide is essential for human health, safety, and even energy efficiency in buildings. Ambient outdoor air is composed of approximately, 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 0.04% carbon dioxide. Indoors, a lack of proper air circulation can dramatically alter the gas concentrations from being balanced and healthy, resulting in air full of pathogens.

Every home, classroom, or office building requires a constant flow of fresh, conditioned air to make it fit and comfortable for the people who work, learn, and live inside these environments. In the past, fresh air was not a problem because most buildings were porous, i.e. outdoor air “leaked” into the building around windows and under doors. Everyone has experienced a cold draft in an old house or building.

While “leaky” buildings ensure fresh air, they are also expensive to heat and cool. As energy prices have risen dramatically over the last few decades architects started designing new buildings that minimized energy loss - they call it "closing the envelope."

For example, throughout the 1970's many schools and office buildings were designed with permanently sealed windows. While this saved energy, it had the unexpected consequence of sealing in mold, bacteria, and potentially harmful gases like radon, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and CO2. It had the additional unintended impact of creating fewer exits during dangerous school events.

What CO2 sensors are used in HVAC systems?

CO2 sensors measure CO2 levels from 400ppm (fresh air) to over 3,000ppm (stuffy office) are used for indoor air quality. Therefore, CO2 sensors that measure in the range of 400ppm to 10,000ppm are typically used in HVAC applications.

For example, the K30 10,000ppm CO2 Sensor is commonly used to measure the air composition in ventilation units to monitor the performance of HVAC systems in offices and commercial buildings.

To combat sick building syndrome, HVAC designers and installers developed systems to provide a constant flow of fresh, outdoor air into buildings. The idea was that wasting energy to condition outdoor air was the price you had to pay to provide fresh air indoors. In some cases, these HVAC systems either provided non-stop fresh air, or they were set on timers that would open fresh air dampers when the building was occupied.

In many cases, the only solution to providing fresh air was to open a window.

In countries where energy is more expensive, an alternative method of providing fresh air was used. Instead of constantly providing fresh air, buildings used carbon dioxide sensors to “sense” when the buildings were occupied. When enough people enter a room, the CO2 level rises because of the CO2 from their exhaled breath, and the HVAC system begins to bring in the fresh air. When the people leave, the CO2 level drops because they are no longer breathing in the room, and the fresh air dampers close.

Because most common uses for carbon dioxide in HVAC applications were due to saving energy, this also often correlated to leading to higher productivity rates and healthier overall environments for individuals. In addition, compliance also served as a second benefactor as many architects and building owners needed to rely on CO2 measurements in pursuing certifications that required the use of demand control ventilation.

Research now tells us that sustainably designed buildings and DCV systems cost less to operate. According to a report by the US Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory government facilities with sustainable HVAC practices cost 19 percent less to maintain.

CO2 Sensors in HVAC applications

An example of CO2 monitoring and energy efficiency in HVAC is the Empire State Building. This skyscraper built in the 1930's had an energy-savings retrofit in 2011 including VAV systems controlled by CO2 transmitters. Building management reports that they had surpassed the energy savings originally guaranteed by the HVAC contractor for years. The third year the property lowered its energy costs by 15.9 percent, saving $2.8 million. Over the past few years, the program has generated approximately $7.5 million in savings.

This system of using CO2 monitoring devices to trigger/control HVAC systems is continuing across much of the U.S. Many commercial buildings are now designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications. LEED was designed and is administrated by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) and the testing and certification of the program is conducted by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI).

The LEED program provides a rating system for energy-efficient building design that correlates to cost savings for the buildings owners. Included in LEED are specifications for utilizing CO2 monitors and sensors to control fresh air circulation.

A CO2 monitor designed specifically for HVAC applications is the CO2, Temp, and RH Indoor Air Quality Monitor. This device allows occupants to easily monitor and control CO2 levels specific for smart homes, classrooms, offices and commercial buildings. In addition, it uses a 3-color backlit LCD display, provides user-selectable configurations, and meets the latest LEED certifications.

Also note that the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendation for not exceeding 1,000 ppm of CO2 in office buildings still applies, as well as current ASHRAE workplace safety limits.

In addition, for those users that wish to design their own installation many customers stand by the next generation of low power CO2 sensors like the LP8. These low-power sensors are already being designed into OEM Devices with long-life batteries and WiFi so they can easily be installed in every room. They can report back to the HVAC system to modify the environment or confined space in real-time.

What is the difference between a CO2 and VOC Sensor?

One of the main questions we receive regarding CO2 sensors in HVAC, is the question, "What's the difference between a CO2 and VOC sensor?".

While CO2 sensors are vital in HVAC applications, VOC sensors are also used in order to monitor air quality but detect different types of pollutants and serve a different purpose.

When it comes to VOC sensors they typically are used to detect volatile organic compounds. This helps identify potential sources of indoor air pollution and are also essential in maintaining a good indoor air environment.

For more information on VOC sensors, read this article "CO2 Sensors vs. VOC Sensors" by CO2Meter.

For more information on selecting the proper indoor air quality solution or technology contact us.

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Tags: HVAC

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