Monitor and Improve Indoor Air Quality with WAQI

S.C.O.R.E. → Safety → Security

Overview

The World Air Quality Index (WAQI) provides real-time air quality data, helping homeowners understand their indoor and outdoor air conditions. By integrating this capability, families can take proactive measures to ensure a healthier living environment.

Benefits

• Informed decisions about ventilation and air purification based on real-time air quality data.
• Enhanced safety for sensitive individuals, such as children and the elderly, by minimizing exposure to poor air quality.
• Ability to automate HVAC systems and air purifiers based on air quality readings.

Intent

The purpose of the WAQI integration is to give homeowners access to real-time air quality metrics, enabling them to monitor pollutants and make informed decisions about their environment. This capability ultimately enhances the safety and comfort of the home.

Preconditions

• Home Assistant setup with WAQI integration enabled.
• Compatible air quality sensors installed at home.
• Internet connection to access real-time data.
• Home Assistant installed and configured.
• Integration available and authenticated: Zigbee2MQTT.
• Device installed and reachable: Smoke Detector and Alarm Trigger.

Actors

• Homeowner monitoring air quality levels
• Family members adjusting home environment based on data
• Guests being informed of air quality status

Trigger

Air quality data is updated, either through scheduled intervals or when significant changes in pollution levels are detected.

Workflow Diagram

flowchart TD
    A[Air Quality Data Update] -->|check| B{{Is Air Quality Poor?}}
    B -->|Yes| C[Send Alert to Homeowner]
    C --> D[Activate Air Purifier]
    B -->|No| E[Monitor Status]

Workflow Description

1. Fetch Air Quality Data

The system retrieves the latest air quality metrics from the WAQI API.

2. Evaluate Air Quality Levels

The system analyzes the data to determine if pollutants exceed safe levels.

3. Notify Homeowner of Poor Air Quality

If air quality is poor, an alert is sent to the homeowner’s devices.

4. Automatically Adjust Air Purification

The system activates connected air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.

5. Log Air Quality Changes

All air quality changes are recorded for future reference and analysis.

Postconditions

Indoor air quality is improved, and homeowners are notified of any ongoing issues or changes in air quality.

Optional Enhancements

• Integrate with smart blinds to reduce outdoor air pollution entry.
• Add historical air quality trends for better decision-making.
• Enable voice alerts through smart speakers for immediate notifications.

Recommended Components

Source Examples

• 2026.1: Home is where the dashboard is ?? – Home Assistant (homeassistant)