Huge boom in demand for CO2 measuring instruments

Regular ventilation of closed rooms has taken on a whole new meaning in the Corona pandemic. To ensure they detect the right time for fresh air, more and more schools and companies in Switzerland are using CO₂ measuring instruments. These measure the concentration of CO₂ in a room and indicate when an aerosol density is too high. Rotronic is the leading Swiss supplier of CO₂ displays and is currently experiencing a huge boom in demand.

It has been clear, not only since the Corona pandemic, that regular ventilation ensures a good indoor climate and helps people to concentrate during lessons or a meeting. Airing has taken on a whole new significance since the pandemic broke out. Since viruses and bacteria are also transmitted by aerosols, ventilation is central to avoiding possible infection with the Corona virus. However, aerosols are difficult to measure. However, together with aerosols, we also breathe out CO₂, so too much CO₂ in a room also means a correspondingly high concentration of aerosols.

Huge demand for CO2 displays and sales increase of around 600%

Rotronic is the leading Swiss supplier of measuring instruments for relative humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide, differential pressure and water activity and has been manufacturing measuring instruments for over 55 years. It has experienced a real boom during the pandemic. Last year, for example, its sales of CO₂ measuring instruments increased sevenfold over the previous year (sales increase of around 600%), says CEO Andreas Gähwiler: “Our CO₂ displays are in great demand in schools in particular, also because CO₂ limits our ability to concentrate. Teachers now know exactly when the air in the room is bad and they need to ventilate. But the demand is also very high among companies, associations and municipalities.”

Critical value of 1,000 ppm

A person needs about 25 to 35 cubic meters of fresh air per hour for normal activities. If there is enough fresh air, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels remain below the critical level of about 1,000 ppm (ppm = parts per million as a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide in the air). However, by the time you notice without aids that the air consumption in small rooms or those with many people is too high, the CO2 and aerosol concentrations are already very high and the room should have been ventilated. The CO₂ measuring instruments from Rotronic provide a quick and uncomplicated remedy. They are available as a display, as a bench-top model (CL11) or as a handheld (CP 11).

Features of CO₂ measuring instruments:

– Measure and store CO2, relative humidity and temperature
– Accuracy ±2.5 %rh / ±0.3 K / ±30 ppm + 5% of measured value
– ROTRONIC HYGROMER® IN-1 humidity sensor
– 18,000 to 40,000 data point memory for CO2, humidity and temperature values
– Display of date and time
– Adjustable visual CO2 indicator
– Large, easy-to-read display
– Port for USB stick for data downloads
– The CL 11 and CP 11 measuring instruments have alarm functions