Classroom air quality is crucial for children’s health, comfort, and cognitive performance. This study examines whether educational CO2 sensors displaying concentration levels and risk indicators encourage air renewal adjustments. CO2 monitors were installed in 48 classrooms across 24 schools, with continuous year-round monitoring with discrete sensors (no display) and two one-week periods of educational sensor use (with display) in summer and winter. Results show no significant CO2 levels during summer periods, likely due to naturally low CO2 levels (565 ppm on average) from frequent window openings. In winter, however, CO2 levels dropped within four weeks of educational sensor installation – from 1025 ppm to 880 ppm in naturally ventilated classrooms, and from 710 to 530 ppm in mechanically ventilated ones – suggesting increased awareness of ventilation needs. These findings indicate that educational CO2 sensors are associated with lower winter-time CO2 concentrations, and consequently, they have the potential to drive positive changes and have an effective role in indoor air quality management.
