Experimental investigation of CO2 level in the closed room including the effect of ventilation and use of snake plants

Recent studies have shown the effect of internally generated pollutants in closed rooms equipped with split air conditioners on human health. The split air conditioner does not filter the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and at the same time, the air conditioner recirculates the filtered air within the room itself when the rooms are closed. At nights the doors and windows are closed over 6 to 8 hours hence CO 2 levels tend to increase. This results in acute health condition known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The research proposes the methodology that partial opening of window will infiltrate outside air inside the room. This helps in reducing the levels well below the threshold value. Effect of varying occupancy in room and percent opening of window on CO 2 level is reported. The increase in CO 2 level is seen to be very less (55% rise) with 100% opening of the window in comparison with 0% ventilation (721% rise). However opening the window may lead to increase in energy consumption in case of air conditioned room. Therefore, an alternative method of using snake plants to reduce CO 2 levels in a closed room is also reported. The comparison study of snake plants proves its efficacy by reducing the percentage increment in CO 2 levels by the factor of 0.5.