Use a CO2 meter to see whether rooms get enough fresh air
A CO2 meter shows when a room needs airing; Flemish indoor-air rules give a guideline of about 900 ppm, and care-sector guidance treats 1,200 ppm as the upper limit.
Do it yourself
Sources checked on .
A CO2 meter does not detect harmful substances, but it shows whether a room gets enough fresh air. Choose one with an NDIR sensor that measures real CO2, put it at about 1.5 m high away from windows, vents and people, and check that it reads about 400 to 500 ppm outdoors.
Flanders' indoor environment decree, which also covers homes, gives a guideline value for CO2 of less than 500 ppm above outdoor air, which is about 900 ppm when outdoor air is around 400 ppm. It is a guideline, not an enforceable limit. Flemish guidance for care facilities treats 1,200 ppm as the upper limit for acceptable indoor air.
When the reading is high, ventilate more: turn up the ventilation system, open windows, or air across the home. In cold weather the meter also helps you avoid airing longer than needed.
Details
| Impact | Indirect · This saves no energy by itself: it is a rule, a service, a contract, or a health or safety item. How we rate impact |
|---|---|
| Estimated saving | Mainly healthier air; in cold weather the meter also helps you avoid airing longer than needed. (confidence: low) |
| Who acts | You (tenant) |
| Needs landlord's agreement | No |
| Type | Action |
| Constant or subject to change | Constant · Good practice that barely changes with new laws, prices or services. |
Do this together with
Sources
- Geniet van gezonde lucht (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid, departement Leefmilieu, Natuur en Energie (official source) · checked on
- Kwaliteitshandboek: ventilatie in woonzorgcentra (in Dutch) · Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid en VIPA (official source) · checked on
- Ventilatie in voorzieningen voor personen met een handicap (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid, departement Zorg (official source) · checked on
- Binnenmilieubesluit (besluit van de Vlaamse Regering van 11 juni 2004) (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid (Vlaamse Codex) (official source) · checked on
- Luchtkwaliteit zorginfrastructuur (in Dutch) · Vlaamse overheid, departement Zorg (official source) · checked on