These Air Values Are Especially Important in Summer
In summer, not just high temperatures affect the indoor climate. CO₂, humidity, temperature, ozone, particulate matter, and VOC also affect the indoor climate — and why regular measurement makes sense for health, well-being, and performance.
When temperatures rise, conditions indoors also change. Rooms heat up faster, humidity fluctuates more, and many people ventilate less often during the day to keep the heat out. This can cause various air pollutants and burdens to accumulate, affecting well-being, sleep quality, and concentration.
Anyone who knows and keeps an eye on the most important air values can take timely countermeasures and ensure a pleasant and healthy indoor climate. But which readings are especially relevant in summer?
CO₂: an important indicator of air quality
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is produced wherever people breathe. In poorly ventilated rooms, concentration rises quickly, especially in offices, bedrooms, classrooms, or meeting rooms.
Guideline values for CO₂
| CO₂ concentration | Assessment |
|---|---|
| below 800 ppm | very good |
| 800 to 1,000 ppm | acceptable |
| 1,000 to 1,400 ppm | elevated exposure |
| above 1,400 ppm | critical |
Humidity: between a pleasant climate and mold risk
Relative humidity has a big influence on the indoor climate. In summer, it can rise significantly, especially after rainfall or on muggy days.
Recommended humidity
Values between 40 and 60 percent relative humidity are considered ideal in living and working spaces.
If humidity is permanently too high, the following problems can arise:
- mold formation
- growth of dust mites
- unpleasant odors
- damage to furniture and building materials
Air that's too dry, on the other hand, can irritate mucous membranes and impair well-being.
Temperature: more than just a matter of comfort
Room temperature affects not just personal well-being, but also concentration and performance.
Recommended temperatures:
- Living spaces: 20 to 24 °C
- Bedroom: 16 to 20 °C
- Offices: 20 to 26 °C
Temperatures above 26 °C can already impair concentration. This effect is often further intensified when combined with elevated CO₂ levels or high humidity.
Ozone: the summer burden from outdoor air
Ozone forms especially on sunny, hot days through chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Especially in urban areas, levels can rise significantly during the summer months.
Ozone can:
- irritate the airways
- cause coughing
- impair lung function
- worsen existing respiratory diseases
Anyone ventilating on hot days should therefore not just watch the temperature. Ozone levels are often significantly lower in the early morning hours than in the afternoon.
Particulate matter: also relevant in summer
Particulate matter is often associated with winter or road traffic. In fact, exposure can also be elevated in summer.
Possible sources are:
- road traffic
- construction sites
- wildfires and vegetation fires
- grill smoke
- pollen fragments
- Saharan dust events
The small particles of the PM2.5 and PM1 size ranges in particular can penetrate deep into the airways and burden health.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
VOC stands for "Volatile Organic Compounds." These substances are released by many everyday products.
Typical sources are:
- furniture
- paints and varnishes
- cleaning products
- flooring
- adhesives
- fragrances
In summer, emissions from many materials rise, since higher temperatures accelerate off-gassing. This can cause VOC concentrations to increase significantly, especially in poorly ventilated rooms.
Possible consequences are:
- headaches
- fatigue
- irritation of the eyes and airways
- unpleasant odors
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂): especially an issue in cities
Nitrogen dioxide is produced mainly by combustion processes, for example in road traffic or heating systems.
On busy roads, elevated NO₂ concentrations can also enter indoor spaces through open windows. This can be especially relevant for people with asthma or other respiratory diseases
Why many air problems go unnoticed
A common problem in assessing air quality: many exposures are invisible. While high temperatures or unpleasant odors are noticed immediately, elevated CO₂ levels, particulate matter, or ozone are hardly detectable without measurement.
Subjective perception is therefore not a reliable indicator of good air quality. Initial symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or concentration problems often only appear once exposure is already elevated.
Measuring and understanding air quality in summer
Anyone who wants to improve air quality long-term should continuously monitor the most important parameters. Modern air quality monitors make it possible to detect changes early and derive suitable measures.
Depending on the model, the air-Q measures a large number of relevant air parameters, including:
- CO₂
- temperature
- humidity
- particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10)
- VOC
- ozone
- nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
- carbon monoxide (CO)
- air pressure and other environmental parameters
The readings are captured in real time and visualized via app or browser. This lets you understand how ventilating, weather changes, or other influences affect air quality.
Conclusion
Air quality in summer is affected by far more factors than just outdoor temperature. CO₂, humidity, temperature, ozone, particulate matter, and VOC in particular can affect the indoor climate and thus health, well-being, and performance.
Anyone who knows and regularly checks these values can specifically ensure better air and detect potential problems early. Especially during the summer months, it's therefore worth taking a close look at air quality in your own home, in the office, or in public buildings.