Accuracy of CO₂ sensors

Are the carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors in your demand controlled ventilation systems sufficiently accurate? The data from these sensors are used to automatically modulate minimum rates of outdoor air ventilation. The goal is to keep ventilation rates at or above design requirements while adjusting the ventilation rate with changes in occupancy in order to save energy. Studies of energy savings from demand controlled ventilation and of the relationship of indoor CO₂ concentrations with health and work performance provide a strong rationale for use of indoor CO₂ data to control minimum ventilation rates 1-7. However, this strategy will only be effective if, in practice, the CO₂ sensors have a reasonable accuracy. The objective of this study was; therefore, to determine if CO₂ sensor performance, in practice, is generally acceptable or problematic. This article provides a summary of study methods and findings – additional details are available in a paper in the proceedings of the ASHRAE IAQ'2007 Conference8.