Show HN: RoomYou – A Sensor for Indoor Wellbeing
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters Tiny living spaces are increasingly common in urban areas, and I also live in a small, modern apartment in a hot/humid region. I can open my windows or use mechanical fans to ventilate, but without them, the CO₂ level can rise rapidly at night from my breath. Using the sensor helps me to understand CO₂ levels so I can manage it and I will sleep better. Research from Harvard shows that CO₂ levels above 1000 ppm can lead to a 15% drop in cognitive function, while levels above 1400 ppm can result in a 50% decline. I also use the device to manage humidity. When the relative humidity is over 60%, I may feel drowsy, so I use a dehumidifier. When it's below 30%, I use a humidifier to raise it.
The Importance of Light Most of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors. While indoor lighting is often bright enough for visual tasks, it can be too dim to support a healthy circadian cycle. We added M-EDI to the RoomYou to measure circadian-supportive light throughout the day. This is particularly useful for those in older buildings that don't meet newer standards like WELL and BREEAM.
A Professional and Accessible Tool The RoomYou is a helpful tool for many environments, including care centers, offices, schools, and homes. It uses a self-calibrating non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor for CO₂ measurements. The sensor is battery-powered and features an E-Ink screen for clear visibility without the nuisance of a screen glaring a night. Measurements are taken at 5-minute intervals, and you can export the data for analysis. The device helps satisfy the requirements of standards like WELL v2™ and ANSI/ASHRAE 62.1-2022.
An app is also available to save and export data, providing valuable insights and helping to meet reporting needs.
Here are some high-level references for more information: * WHO Housing and Health Guidelines <https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550376> * EPA Indoor Air Quality <https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guid...> * Harvard Healthy Buildings <https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu>
I would love your feedback on the device, its features, and any potential use cases. And happy to answer any questions!
You can read more about the sensor here <https://www.luxbalance.com/products/roomyou1>