Airthings Wave Plus, Your Comprehensive Guide to Indoor Air Quality Monitoring and Radon Detection
by Samuel Kalenga on Aug 15, 2024
These days, with us spending roughly 90 per cent of our lives inside, not only do we inhale more pollution, but what we breathe indoors can also cause respiratory issues and trigger allergies and other health problems. Yet individuals can be exposed to allergens such as dust mites and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – chemicals such as formaldehyde – without being aware of them due to their mark of invisibility.
Radon is another hidden danger; an odourless, tasteless and invisible gas, it is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can penetrate homes and buildings. Radon is responsible for some 20,000 deaths annually in the EU – more than slaughterhouses and firearms, combined – and its impact varies by locality. In my village, for instance, radon levels in homes are on average beyond the recommended action threshold set by the European authorities. The Airthings Wave Plus is a beacon of awareness and protection This test revealed to me, to what extent I could – and now will – have control over my living space, improving its quality in every conceivable way.
Diving Deeper into the Airthings Wave Plus: Features and Benefits
The Airthings Wave Plus keeps an eye on your home's air quality – on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The essential information it gathers about the quality of your home air not only equips you but also empowers you to take action and make the most informed decisions possible that can impact not only your own health but the health of your family. Here's a closer look at its features and benefits:Radon Detection: A Silent but Serious Threat
- Radon: the invisible killer Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that creeps into your home from the earth. It cannot be seen, tasted or smelled if it is not being detected by specialised devices. Being exposed in the long run to high radon levels substantially increases the risk of lung cancer, even for never-smokers. Airthings Wave Plus has the most sensitive radon tracker that measures radon levels in your home. It gives you instant feedback if levels exceed safe thresholds.
- Early Detection, Early Action: Catching radon early allows you to take steps to mitigate its presence, lowering your risk. A qualified radon mitigation professional can make improvements to your home to help to keep radon levels as low as reasonably possible. Common mitigation measures can provide significant reductions in radon exposure, including sealing foundation cracks and using a radon venting system.
- Rest Easy: If you live in a radon-prone area, this is a source of ongoing worry because long-term exposure to radon increases your risk of developing lung cancer. The data provided by the Wave Plus gives you the peace of mind for which there has not previously been a reliable foundation. Thanks to the Wave Plus, you can know exactly what needs to be done to ensure your family’s continued wellbeing.
VOC Monitoring: Identifying Potential Indoor Air Pollutants
- VOCs: A Silent Toxin That is Killing Us Indoors VOCs are the hitherto unknown indoor toxin emanating from everything from paint and cleaning products to furniture and even your personal care products. Even the healthier VOCs can irritate the eye and lung area. Many cause disorientation: dizziness, confusion, fatigue, headaches and general bodily malaise, which can progress to more serious forms of respiratory distress such as weakened lungs, blood poisoning in internal organs and tissues.
- Identification and intervention: Continuous monitoring of VOC levels with the Airthings Wave Plus, for example, can help you identify and periodically pinpoint pollution sources in your home so that you can intervene – for example, by providing ventilation, switching to low-VOC products or moving, or removing offending items. For example, if you notice a peak in VOC levels after using a new cleaning product, you can discontinue its use and switch to a more eco-friendly cleaning product.
- Creating a Healthier Indoor Environment Identifying and reducing sources of VOCs will create an air-quality environment that will relieve the toxic load on you and your family, making your home feel even more pleasant.
Humidity and Temperature Sensing: For Optimal Comfort and Energy Efficiency
- Humidity: Is Your House Comfortable To Live In?Keeping your home at an optimal humidity is crucial. Too much humidity is nasty for your health – it can cause or make worse allergies and respiratory issues as it fosters the growth of mould. On the other side of the spectrum, too little humidity is problematic to the lungs, dries out your skin and causes static electricity in your house. The Wave Plus keeps track of the humidity of your air, giving you feedback about the moisture content of your air. Box:
- Temperature: It’s about balance – we want to create a living environment that feels comfortable but isn’t overly extreme. Wave Plus measures the temperature reading in real time, which can be used to help you control your heating and cooling systems. By knowing the actual conditions in your home, you can avoid unnecessary heating or cooling, which can save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.
- HVAC System Optimisation: The data collected on humidity and temperature from the Wave Plus can be used to set your HVAC system to the optimum point of comfort and efficiency – ultimately cutting down on excess energy usage for you and your HVAC provider. That means lower energy bills.
Beyond the Basics: User-Friendly Features and Design
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: The Wave Plus connects to the internet via Wi-Fi in your home, so you can view your air quality data (past, present and future) on your smartphone or tablet using the Airthings app. Data visualisations are clear, and notifications will alert you when you set your personal parameters.
- Long Battery Life: Once you have your Wave Plus installed, you won’t have to worry about changing the battery for probably up to two years. That means the device in your home will be truly low maintenance, leaving you free to benefit from a healthier indoor environment.
- Sleek and modern design: Sleek, rounded edges show a modern design that matches almost any home décor.Compact and understated in size, your household air quality monitor will stay out of sight.
- Wave Plus Smart Home Integration: Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice-controlled monitoring and notifications. Ask your voice assistant to check pollutants and get customised alerts for when levels reach set thresholds.
Who Should Consider the Airthings Wave Plus?
The Airthings Wave Plus is a worthy investment for anyone concerned about keeping their indoor air clean and their living areas as comfortable and healthy as possible. This device will be of specific use to:
- Families with Children and Pets – Children and pets fall victim to bad air quality more so than adults because they spend more time indoors and can be more sensitive to allergens and pollution that can make them sick. Wave Plus will help you purify the air and create a better and safer environment.
- People with Allergies or Respiratory Issues: The Wave Plus can be a sensitive bad-air detector that can help you keep the air free of allergen and irritant triggers. You can see if you have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, furniture, personal-care products and other sources in your areas of interest, then decide what you want to do about it.
- Homeowners in Radon-prone Areas: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer for people. If you live in a radon-prone area, monitoring radon levels in your home is crucial to protect your health. Every minute counts to mitigate high radon levels – the Wave Plus early warning will help you take action and save your life. Less air pollution Overall air quality People who want a total air solution Wave Plus It tells you everything about your indoor air quality. You are breathing, all at once and all at the same time in the same place. If you want to know what is going on in your indoor space we have one word for that : Wave Plus. It gives you the full picture for you to be able to make your decision !
- Energy-efficiency minded: The Wave Plus uses humidity and temperature monitoring to help you reach new levels of energy efficiency by decreasing your heating and cooling system usage. You also save the planet by avoiding carbon emission.
Airthings Wave Plus vs. Airthings Wave: Understanding the Difference
The Wave Plus is essentially a more capable sibling of the most popular feature on the original Airthings Wave. Both maintain the established functions of an indoor air quality monitor, and the surge in Nest Protect orders back when they first came out show that we’re all concerned with indoor air quality. The Wave Plus adds the functionality of a radon detector, making it the better device for those actively worried about their radon levels, but if you’re more concerned with volatile organic compound (VOC), humidity and temperature ‘warnings’, the original Airthings Wave should suffice.Where to Buy the Airthings Wave Plus: Your Options
The Airthings Wave Plus is sold at major retailers and online. Here’s where to buy it:
- Amazon: Who doesn’t trust Amazon? You can buy the Airthings Wave Plus on Amazon.com or on the Amazon mobile app and you’ll probably get a good deal and fast shipping.
- Best Buy: You can also purchase your Wave Plus through Best Buy. Go to the company’s site or walk in to your local Best Buy, where you can see the device yourself, and you can also ask questions.
- Walmart: You can purchase the Airthings Wave Plus on Walmart.com or in store. Go and visit their website or walk into your nearest Walmart to check if it’s available.
- Airthings Website: This is your most likely source of purchase directly from Airthings and often compete or be priced-matched with big box retailers. It also offers exclusive sale prices, bundles, and promotions that may not be available at other retailers. If you have questions, customer support is just a click away.
- Other Online Retailers: The Airthings Wave Plus isn’t available only on the Airthings website. It’s available on places such as Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s both online and sometimes in stores, so you’ll have the option to not only get the best deal, but order from a location of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is the difference between the Airthings Wave Plus and the Airthings Wave?
The Airthings Wave Plus features a radon detector and the Airthings Wave does not. Both units have a VOC, humidity, and temperature sensor.Is the Airthings Wave Plus compatible with smart home systems?
Sure, this Airthings product interfaces with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant so you can query your air quality readings or set up alerts that ping you on your phone, tablet or smart speaker when some particular parameter crosses a threshold.How often should I calibrate the Airthings Wave Plus?
Obviously, the Airthings Wave Plus does not need calibrating on a regular basis. Its radon detector is calibrated automatically, and its other sensors are designed for long-term accuracy. Always consult the manual that comes with your device for specific information about calibration and maintenance.What is the warranty on the Airthings Wave Plus?
The Airthings Wave Plus is organised under a two-year warranty; the following is included: Airthings warrants that the Wave Plus is free of materials defects and workmanship under normal use and conditions for a period of two years from original purchase. During the warranty period, if your device fails to conform to this warranty, then you can contact us. When contacting us, include your two-year warranty claim.Are there any additional costs associated with using the Airthings Wave Plus?
The Airthings Wave Plus is a one-off purchase and you won’t pay anything extra for ongoing service, unlike several high-end C02 and air-quality monitors that offer a year of service before charging a subscription fee. However, you can also subscribe to the Airthings app for things such as data logging or customisable feedback based on your personal indoor-air comfort.What are some tips for improving indoor air quality?
Here are some tips for improving the air quality in your home:
- Ventilate your home Open windows and doors regularly to let in clean air and remove build-ups of chemicals. If you have an air-conditioning or heat-pump unit, set it to a low setting or switch vents to intake. Keeping humidity around 30 per cent will help manage airborne dust levels.
- Use a high-quality air purifier: Air purifiers can help remove airborne particles, allergens and other pollutants from the air. Make sure it has a HEPA filter. Protect your brain
- Use natural cleaning products when possible and steer clear of air fresheners, paint thinners and other strong chemical odours.
- Don’t smoke. Want to think more clearly? Here are some more tips. ✅ Keep your home clean: Vacuum, clean and dust surfaces with a damp cloth, and mop your floors regularly to remove dust mites, pet dander and other allergens.
- Monitor your home for mould: Mould can grow in moist areas. Check for mould regularly and address mould problems as soon as possible. test for radon): If you live in a radon-prone area, have your home tested for radon levels; look for radon testing kits in the hardware store.