Dyson air purifier and air-Q air measuring device standing on a white table against a dark background.
Air quality

Air purifier vs. air measuring device - do you really need both?

If you want to improve indoor air quality, you have to eliminate pollution caused by carbon monoxide and dioxide, particulatesor mould spores. Here, many people rely on air purifiers. But what do air purifiers really do? And: Do I need an air measuring device in addition to the air purifier to keep an eye on the air quality? We answer these questions.

Author:

Kati Huhn & Undine Jaehne

Date:

13.5.2022

What can an air purifier do? 

House dust, bacteria, viruses, mould spores and pollen are the things that should only be present in our ambient air in very small quantities. That is exactly what air purifiers are for. The devices filter the room air, remove pollutants and thus ensure clean air. Used correctly, air purifiers can alleviate the effects of dust or animal hair allergies and help with hay fever, for example. Sensors are integrated so that the devices can detect poor air quality and start cleaning the air. These react to particulates (PM₁ - PM₁₀) and volatile organic compounds VOC

What does an air meter do? 

Even before the Corona pandemic, we made a point of keeping the air in our rooms as fresh as possible. Every child knew that during breaks in the classroom, the window should be opened to let out the stale air. Indoor air measuring devices are first and foremost there to check the indoor air for pollutants exactly where people spend longer periods of time. 

Indoor air measuring devices can do much more than measure particulatesand VOC: they provide information about many other air components such as temperature, humidity and pollutants in a room. All these factors are important for the so-called "feel-good climate" of a room. However, this is not only important in public areas, but also in one's own four walls.

Air Meters & Smart Home Systems

With the possibility of integrating air meters into a smart home system, you also ensure a healthy and innovative home. Some air meters send their measured values to apps so that smart home systems from Apple, Google, Amazon, etc. can use them. The devices can then be controlled via voice commands and linked with other smart home devices. For example, query measured values via voice control or let your air measuring device use the data for your smart window openers, humidifiers and air cleaners, fans or even for smart radiator thermostats and underfloor heating. If you combine all these technical possibilities and provide the devices with a database thanks to the room air sensors, you set up an automatic system for controlling your room climate.

The air-Q sends its measured values to its smart centre, the air-Q smartphone app. On your personal dashboard you can see your health index, the performance index and receive information on the individual measured values: displayed in detail and easy to understand in diagrams. This makes it easy for you to keep track of the air quality in your rooms.

Note: If you do not pair your air meter to your smart home, you will still receive digital air quality alerts - on your smartphone or tablet.

An air purifier also has sensors to detect pollutants. Do I still need an air measuring device?

Our recommendation: Yes. The reason is obvious. Smart air purifiers also offer automatic control, but this is usually based on only one sensor value: VOC. However, there are considerably more air pollutants. Therefore, air measuring devices such as the air-Q examine a variety of measured values. This gives you detailed information about the air components and allows you to control your air purifier much better. Because you activate the air purification not only with regard to one, but many air pollutants.

Measured values that the air-Q air measuring device can check: 

When you combine an air purifier and air meter, you can respond comprehensively to poor indoor air and improve air quality more quickly. By optimally controlling the air purifier, you also reduce the usage time, which ideally leads to a longer lifetime of the filter.

Bright bedroom with pallet bed and nightstand in the background, in the foreground is an air purifier from which blue balls flow as graphics and the air meter air-Q
For high air quality, it is best to add an air purifier and an air measuring device such as the air-Q.

(Contributed image: Shutterstock/ Papin Lab; Image: Shutterstock/ 220 Selfmade studio & Canva edit)

References
Air purifier vs. air measuring device - do you really need both?
air-Q Air Quality Meter

Monitor air quality, all air components and environmental influences with the air-Q. For your health and performance.