According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. That means the air quality of their indoor environments — from schools to offices to bedrooms — should be a priority. The past 18+ months have seen a focus on removing airborne viruses from the air, which is a smart move during a pandemic, but carbon dioxide is far more concerning in the long run.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colorless, odorless gas that’s most commonly produced simply by exhaling the air you breathe. In small quantities, CO₂ is harmless. But with higher concentrations and prolonged exposure, carbon dioxide can be unhealthy for building occupants, causing headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, tiredness and more. Poor indoor air quality in an office or school setting can also negatively impact performance and attendance, not to mention drive up healthcare and energy costs.

The top benefits of reducing CO₂ levels in your building include:

1. Improved cognitive function. Brain fog, sluggishness and a general lack of motivation are all common signs of intaking too much CO₂. That’s often why taking a quick walk in the fresh air wakes us up — that extra shot of oxygen to the brain boosts concentration and makes our brain function more efficiently.
2. Improved immune health. Breathing in too much CO₂ means less oxygen in our bloodstream, which compromises our immune system. Our bodies need oxygen to help fight off and kill the daily germs and viruses we encounter, and even a seemingly minor change in oxygen levels can have positive impacts on physical well-being.
3. Reduced energy bills. According to an Environmental Health Perspectives study, CO₂ based air control can result in up to 34% energy savings if you compare it to a fixed ventilation strategy. Whether your HVAC system is top-of-the-line or could use a little tender loving care, investing in a portable air quality sensor that can measure CO₂ concentration in a room or building is a good place to start.

Combat the build-up of harmful CO₂ levels in your building with a CO₂ monitor and by ensuring your ventilation system is operating in peak condition.