CO₂ for You
Nobody ever told me the importance of fresh air. I mean, they did, but I didn’t listen.
In every room I’ve been in (even with active fresh air in the HVAC system), the CO₂ reaches 800-900+ ppm.
In my apartment, it averages around 1200-1300 ppm.
Why is that bad?
From this research paper:
We found statistically significant declines in cognitive function scores when CO2 concentrations were increased to levels that are common in indoor spaces (approximately 950 ppm). In fact, this level of CO2 is considered acceptable because it would satisfy ASHRAE’s ventilation rate guidance for acceptable indoor air quality. Larger differences were seen when CO2 was raised to 1,400 ppm.
CO₂ concentration is measured in parts-per-million (ppm). Look at the concentration (x-axis) and see the Crisis Response, Information Usage, and Strategy charts.
500 ppm is low.
900+ ppm gets bad, fast.
High CO₂ concentration is poison for your brain. You are less effective the more CO₂ in your environment.
For months, I experienced malaise in my apartment. I could not work, could not motivate, could not think. Turns out, I was drowning in my own breath. My windows stay open now and the CO₂ levels are always around ~450ppm.
other important notes
CO₂ concentration also increases as people/animals do. At family gatherings, our home, normally 600-800ppm, reaches 1100+ ppm.
using recirculate when driving
I ran an experiment with recirculate while driving. I tested recirculate on vs. automatic vs. off. Automatic and off were equal; both hovered around 500-600ppm. Driving with recirculate on, however, was extremely bad.
Within 15 minutes, I saw CO₂ concentration jump to 1000 ppm. After 30 minutes, 1600 ppm. Concentration seemed to level out at this point, but I also ended the experiment after 45 minutes. It’s possible that concentration could reach 2000+ ppm after enough driving.
Regardless, the main takeaway here is that recirculate is really bad. Perhaps, it could explain why some reasonably smart people are terrible drivers?
old homes vs. new homes
In 1920s New York, engineers designed radiators with enough capacity to handle open windows during the winter. The engineers did this at the directive of the Board of Health, which recommended fresh air to ward off the Spanish Flu. Eventually, the radiator design became standard, as part of the Fresh Air Movement.
This standard remains today, meaning NYC renters/owners commonly complain that radiators get too hot, since most users aren’t leaving their windows open in the winter.
Modern homes are not necessarily designed with this in mind, but you’ll be surprised at your HVAC’s effectiveness despite fresh air entering the home via window. My apartment electricity bill went up only 7% on average. I only close my windows in the summer, during the hottest hours, but otherwise they remain open. Ironically, the older the apartment/home is, the more likely it was designed with fresh air in mind.
how to monitor CO₂
I have the older Temtop P1000 CO₂ Monitor.
Though, they have newer, cheaper offerings. Don’t waste money on anything >$100. Mine was $60 during Black Friday.