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Business Devices: calibration
Business Devices: calibration

Find out which sensors need time to self-calibrate and how the calibration works

Updated over 3 months ago

Intro

Airthings for Business sensors are self-calibrating and do not need to be sent away for calibration and testing as may be the case with other monitors.

Which sensors need time to calibrate?

When you first set up your Space monitor, the following sensors need some time to self-calibrate:

  • VOC and CO2 sensors require 7 days to calibrate.

  • The radon sensor needs approximately 30 days to collect enough measurements for accurate readings.

This means the following sensors are ready to go:

  • PM

  • Temperature

  • Humidity

  • Air pressure

  • Noise

  • Light

Why do I need 7 days to calibrate the VOC and CO2 sensors?

The CO2 and VOC sensors require 7 days to calibrate and collect enough data to accurately adjust to their environment. Both sensors use Automatic Baseline Compensation (ABC) to account for aging and mechanical stress. This algorithm monitors the lowest readings over time and adjusts the baseline so that it matches the cleanest air detected during the calibration period.

For user calibration, you can expose the sensors to clean air. This exposure usually occurs naturally in well-ventilated buildings during unoccupied periods, such as at night.


What about radon?

We advise you to measure for at least 30 days, and ideally several months, before deciding whether any mitigation action is necessary. The radon sensor collects hourly air samples and is designed for long term measuring. This means the longer the measurement, the more data points, and the more accurate the long-term average becomes. Read more here on how we measure radon and how to respond to your radon levels.

Do I need to recalibrate my sensors over time?

In short: No. Airthings for Business sensors are designed to provide long-term stability, minimizing the need for manual recalibration. Here’s how specific sensors manage long-term accuracy:

  • CO2 Sensor:
    The CO2 sensor uses Automatic Baseline Compensation (ABC) to offset aging effects. It tracks the lowest CO2 reading over time and adjusts the baseline to match the typical outdoor level of 400 ppm, ensuring accuracy even as the sensor ages.

  • VOC Sensor:
    Like the CO2 sensor, the VOC sensor employs an ABC algorithm. It slowly adjusts the baseline to match the cleanest air detected in the last 4-5 days, ensuring consistent performance despite sensor aging or environmental changes.

  • Particulate Matter (PM) Sensor:
    This sensor uses a laser to detect particles in a flow of air that has a velocity, which is precisely controlled by a variable-speed fan. Over time, the fan speed can slow down, affecting measurements. To counteract this, the sensor monitors fan speed and adjusts its readings to maintain precision.

  • Radon Sensor:
    The radon sensor uses multiple sources of alpha particles to measure radon levels. Patented algorithms combine these measurements to correct sensor drift and aging, meaning that the sensor becomes more accurate over time.

Calibration Reports

Calibration reports for your Airthings for Business hardware are easily accessible through the Reports in the Airthings for Business Dashboard.

To find your calibration reports:

  1. Navigate to the Reports section: Locate the menu on the left side of your dashboard.

  2. Scroll down: Continue scrolling until you see the option for Calibration report.

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