If your CO2 monitor is showing higher levels than seem healthy, you may consider one or more of the following:

• Reducing the number of people in the building or room

• Opening windows and doors where the safety of occupants won’t be jeopardized and the function of the HVAC system won’t be affected. Even a small window opening can make quite a difference

• If you are in a vehicle, be sure to use Fresh air setting, NOT Recirculate. CO2 levels rise very quickly in a car, no matter how many occupants, if you recirculate the air. Try it for yourself!

• Avoiding strenuous activities like singing, dancing, and shouting or exercising

• Servicing or upgrading your HVAC system. Consider using HEPA or MERV 13 filters in your HVAC system to reduce particles in the air that may contain viruses or bacteria

• Increasing the amount of outdoor air being drawn into your HVAC system, to decrease the recirculation of ‘stale’ air (turning just the fan on can be useful, depending on outdoor temperature)

• Placing portable air filtration systems throughout the house or building (click for Corsi-Rosenthal Box information, affordable and effective DIY filtration unit)

• Installing screens so that windows and doors can be opened without the risk of pests (e.g. flies) coming in

• Adjusting the humidity of your space; 40 to 60% is generally considered most effective. Colder seasons often require supplementation with humidifiers.

  • As Dr. Jeff Gilchrist has noted, "Dry air also allows virus laden aerosols to evaporate more, become smaller, and float in the air longer increasing the chance that others might breathe them in and become infected" (twitter link).