When indoor CO₂ levels rise, cognitive skills, like crisis response, information usage, and strategy, are decreased only to 20% in a 1,400 ppm concentration of CO₂ compared to the normal outdoor level of 400 ppm. Some of the more mechanical skills, like information seeking and task orientation, are not affected much. However, cognitive skills that require more advanced application of information, information is affected the most. Handling more advanced tasks becomes much more difficult when the carbon dioxide levels rise. Accurate measurements and better ventilation are vital to the cognitive abilities of people working in offices.

The European EN standard 13779: 2007 defines good IAQ as follows: “Indoor air quality can be categorized by CO₂ concentration.” This notion sets the foundations to operate Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) by measuring CO₂ and controlling ventilation accordingly. The standard also sets the normal expectation for indoor CO₂ levels at 400–600 ppm, which is slightly above the normal levels in outdoor air (400 ppm). Modern ventilation systems are built around this supposition to ensure a good enough climate indoors while remaining energy efficient.

In reality, though, this applies mostly to modern offices with modern ventilation systems. Field studies show that regular office conditions have a 1,500 ppm concentration of CO₂, which may seem a very high level, but the regulatory limit considered safe for people is even higher: 5,000 ppm of carbon dioxide over an eight-hour period.

High CO₂ levels also indicate that ventilation is not working as it should. Perhaps surprisingly, CO₂-based ventilation also saves energy: Demand-controlled ventilation systems with CO₂ concentration control can save more than 50% of energy use compared to a constant air volume system.

How you can ensure effective ventilation with trusted data? Watch our webinar about CO₂ for IAQ to learn more.

WATCH THE CO₂ for IAQ WEBINAR