It has been known for years that high concentrations of CO2 cause drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, nausea and discomfort - as well as an inability to think, reason, retain information and respond.

Today’s buildings are better insulated, but often more poorly ventilated.
During these past thirty years, efforts to save energy by trapping heat and air conditioning may have backfired.

What may be good ventilation for a few could be terrible ventilation for a few more. The fact is that as occupancy numbers rise, so do the inevitable levels of CO2 and many areas of many buildings see occupancy rise regularly... without any corresponding increase in ventilation. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineer, Inc., recommends that indoor air CO2 levels be less than 700 ppm above the outdoor air concentration of CO2 (Aerias 2005).

A high Carbon Dioxide level along with other pollutants in the occupant area indicates signs of poor building ventilation. Research shows that proper demand control ventilation strategies along with CO2 monitoring will keep the indoor air clean and safe for occupant health and comfort. Increased levels of CO2 may contribute to 'Sick Building Syndrome' and symptoms such as hyperventilation, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath and drowsiness.

Carbon Dioxide monitoring is utilized in Demand Controlled Ventilation (DCV). The objective of CO2 monitoring in DCV is to satisfy the conflicting requirements for minimum energy consumption while simultaneously maintaining Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). A balance of both CO2 gas monitoring and energy demands can be maintained by introducing only as much outside "fresh" air as required to ensure a healthy workplace.

When ventilation is monitored and controlled automatically, based on prevailing CO2 levels at changing numbers of occupancy... energy savings can be high.
But there is more. Good ventilation saves in other ways too. Not only is lost productivity found, and not only are unnecessary energy costs saved, but direct health costs and downtime due to sickness can also be decreased.

The SHW2000 or SHW5000 fixed installation CO2 models, monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) and satisfie the requirements of this application with the relevant programmable outputs.

Areas of Application: Public Buildings, Commercial Buildings, Offices, Schools, Hospitals, Clean Rooms, Theaters, Indoor Sports Arenas, Indoor Area Quality, Residential Housing, Demand Controlled Ventilation.