Airthings offers a premium line-up of air quality monitors, previously integrated with Home Assistant through ESPHome. While seasoned users navigated this with ease, many newcomers to Home Assistant sought a more straightforward setup. With the launch of Home Assistant Core Version 2022.11, integration has become more user-friendly, directly supporting three of Airthings' top multi-sensors. Leveraging the revamped Bluetooth integration, the Airthings BLE integration automatically discovers nearby Airthings sensors. You only need the device's ten-digit serial number, available under the magnetic plate or in the mobile app, to get started. Supported devices include the Airthings Wave, Wave Plus, and Wave Mini.
Contents
Features of Airthings Wave, Wave Plus, and Wave Mini
Once integrated with Home Assistant, you gain access to various informative sensors, depending on your model. The Wave Plus, Wave Mini, and Wave all share temperature and humidity sensors, but there are key differences among them:
- Airthings Wave Plus: Includes Radon, CO2, VOC, and pressure sensors.
- Airthings Wave Mini: Features a unique mould risk indicator, but lacks a Radon sensor.
- Airthings Wave: Omits CO2, VOC, and pressure sensors.
Wave Plus | Wave Mini | Wave | |
---|---|---|---|
Radon | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
CO2 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Relative humidity | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Temperature | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Airborn chemicals (VOCs) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Pressure | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Mould risk indicator | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Batteries | 2×AA | 2×AA | 3×AAA |
Battery Life and Management
A common feature among all these models is their impressive battery life, thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, similar to Zigbee and Z-Wave sensors. Here's a breakdown:
- Airthings Wave: Up to 18 months.
- Airthings Wave Plus: Up to 16 months.
- Airthings Wave Mini: Up to 24 months.
Home Assistant also monitors battery levels, alerting you when replacements are needed.
Importance of Monitoring Radon, CO2, and VOCs
Monitoring indoor air quality is essential for maintaining a healthy living environment. Radon, carbon dioxide (CO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are significant indoor pollutants that can affect health and comfort.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes, particularly in basements and lower levels. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. Monitoring radon levels in your home allows you to take necessary actions, such as improving ventilation or sealing cracks in floors and walls, to reduce radon exposure.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
CO2 is a natural component of the air we breathe, but elevated indoor levels can indicate poor ventilation and overcrowding. High CO2 levels can cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function. Monitoring CO2 levels helps ensure adequate ventilation, improving indoor air quality and overall comfort. Proper ventilation reduces CO2 levels and maintains a healthy indoor environment.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are a group of chemicals found in many household products, including paints, cleaning supplies, and furniture. Prolonged exposure to high levels of VOCs can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues. Some VOCs, like formaldehyde, are known carcinogens. Monitoring VOC levels enables you to identify sources of indoor air pollution and take steps to mitigate them, such as using low-VOC products and improving ventilation.
Summary
Integrating Airthings sensors with Home Assistant has become more accessible with the latest updates, eliminating the need for ESPHome. This straightforward setup leverages the improved Bluetooth integration, providing real-time air quality monitoring with minimal effort. The Airthings Wave, Wave Plus, and Wave Mini each offer unique features and long battery life, ensuring your home environment is continuously monitored and safe.
Thanks for the article. Do you know if the Airthings Hub is required to use the Home Assistant integration? If I’m reading this correctly, it is not required but I wanted to be sure before I made my purchase.
Hi Dan! Good news, the hub is not required!