Why Measuring PM2.5, tVOC, and CO2 Is So Important

• PM2.5: One of the biggest killers in the world, with 99% of the population breathing dangerous levels. Even moderate levels are shown to cause cancer and heart disease.
• tVOC: Dangerous gases, such as formaldehyde, can irritate our organs and cause cancer.
• CO2: High CO2 levels can result in drowsiness, headaches, high blood pressure, and more.

If levels are high, a combination of HEPA air purifiers and improved ventilation can help lower levels

The QP Air Monitors are sent via Royal Mail - 3 to 5 working days. All orders arriving before 11am (Mon-Fri) will be shipped out on the same day.

Product Manual

Quick set-up guide  

Brochure    

Lite vs Pro

My QP Pro has arrived, what do I do?

To set up your QP air monitor, please follow these quick instructions:

• Download the Qingping+ (basic) or Qingping IoT (advanced) app onto your phone and connect your monitor so you can access additional monitor settings
• Go to the settings screen and check the firmware to see if any recent updates are needed on your monitor

Our monitors are set to auto calibrate CO2. We recommend going through the settings to check all the defaults are right for you.

• Auto calibrate: As long as the device is exposed to around 400-500ppm CO2 for a few hours every month, you shouldn’t need to calibrate it. This can be done by taking the device outside or placing it next to an open window. If the device isn't getting enough exposure to outdoor levels, the sensors may drift over time. If this happens, you can reset the CO2 sensors in the Settings accessed via the app.

I am sensitive to EMFs and want to reduce them while measuring air quality. Do the Smart Air monitors produce EMFs?

The manufacturer has confirmed that it may be difficult for the air monitors to be set to airplane mode or block the surrounding signal. The good news is such device is essentially a signal receiver, which means as long as it is not actually connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it will only emit negligible EMF in comparison to a router or smartphone. A device picking up your monitor doesn’t mean they are connected and you can ask smart devices, such as TV or smartphones, to ignore your air monitor to avoid any unwanted connections. It isn’t easy to shut down the connection, or cut off the signal, on monitors as they are mainly operated via Apps, as are most monitors on the market.

Why can't I connect to the Wi-Fi?

The QP Air Monitors don’t support Wi-Fi that requires authentication to be completed on a web page or information to be entered in a special login client. Please check the network signal before purchasing as the monitor currently only supports 2.4GHz or 2.4GHz/5GHz networks. It will not work on a 5GHz network.

Do I have to be connected to the Internet to use the monitor?

No. The air monitoring function works well without an internet connection. However, when not connected to the Internet the time, weather conditions and remote viewing functions are unavailable.

How long is historical data kept? Does it support the export of historical data?

Hourly data from the past 24 hours is available. The highest and lowest readings per day in the past 7 days is also available for viewing. The Qingping IoT app has an 'export historical data' function.

How long is the battery life?

When not connected to a USB power source, the QP Pro Air Monitor will automatically shut down when the battery falls to 5%. The monitor can last on standby for about 4 hours from fully charged to automatic shut down. However, it is recommended that you keep the monitor connected to a power supply. The QP Pro Air Monitor has a built-in power management function similar to that of a laptop, which does not damage the battery.

Can I use any USB charger with this and why doesn’t it come with a plug?

To keep costs down, we only provide the ubiquitous USB power cable. Plug this into your laptop or a USB plug to charge the device.

The 5v USB-C to USB-A cable should be paired with a plug that has a USB-A port. Laptop cables are too powerful for the QP air monitors and may cause them to overheat. Always check the voltage before using any substitute cables, you should only use a 5v cable.

What sensors are used?

The QP Air Monitors use the following sensors:

• Grandway sensor - Built-in laser scattering PM2.5 sensor with high precision
• Built-in Swiss Sensirion sensor for temperature and humidity, with high precision
• Built-in SGP30 gas sensor by Sensirion for measuring tVOC. Multi-pixel technology, good accuracy and high consistency with unparalleled siloxane resistance, long-term stability and low drift
• Built-in SenseAir CO2 Sensor S8 - Nondispersive infrared (NDIR) spectrum analysis from the world's largest manufacturer of CO2 sensors. High stability, consistency, precision, excellent anti-interference and sensitivity.

What is the measuring accuracy?

Due to the wide variation in user environments and testing methods, we cannot guarantee accuracy. However, the accuracy range of our internal tests are as follows:

• Temperature: ±8℃ (the device needs to be turned on and placed in a windless environment for 30 min during the test)
• Humidity: ±8% (the device needs to be turned on and placed in a windless environment for 30 min during the test)
• PM2.5: ±10μg/m³ when the reading is less than 100μg/m³; ±10% when the reading is greater than 100μg/m³ (the laser type PM2.5 sensor is susceptible to ultrasonic type humidifiers, and it is recommended to turn off the humidifier for more accurate results)
• tVOC: ±20% (the tVOC sensor requires complete initialisation - see FAQ on initialisation)
• CO2: ±15% (CO2 in the air is not uniformly distributed so it is challenging for low cost sensors to be more accurate)

Can the QP Pro detect formaldehyde? Is tVOC equal to formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde cannot be monitored with the QP Pro. tVOC (total volatile organic compounds) contains thousands of compounds, such as formaldehyde and benzene, but it is NOT equal to formaldehyde. tVOC readings may increase significantly when there are more people in the room or during activities such as cooking, eating, cleaning or putting on make up. They then usually fall back down after the activity is finished or the room is ventilated. tVOC readings can also increase significantly when unsealed substances containing alcohol are present near the monitor. Indoor tVOC can also come from combustion products such as coal or natural gas, tobacco, materials used in construction and decoration, furniture, and household appliances. Some VOCs are harmful to humans, and by opening windows or turning on ventilation systems as well as identifying and eliminating the sources, you can effectively reduce tVOC concentrations.

How long does tVOC need to initialise after the device is powered on?

The first time you turn on the monitor, or after it has been turned off for more than 7 days, the tVOC initialisation will take at least 4 hours. If the monitor is off for less than 7 days, the initialisation times are approximately as follows:

• Off for less than 1 hour: 30 seconds
• 1 - 12 hours: 90 seconds
• 12 - 48 hours: 6 minutes
• 48 hours - 7 days: 12 minutes
• More than  7 days (or the first time the power is turned on): 4 hours

If the monitor is turned off or restarted during the initialisation process, then the unfinished initialisation process will start from the beginning again after the power is turned back on.

Does the QP Pro measure outdoor pollution from traffic?

Unfortunately not. The tVOC sensor in the QP Pro sensor uses metal oxide, detecting ethanol and hydrogen as its signature substances making it suitable for indoor readings. It is more stable and easier to use and more cost-effective for consumer use. For outdoor use, the sensor would need gas chromatography which takes it out of the consumer price range.

What smart home platforms are supported?

• Xiaomi Mijia

Is there a backlight function?

The screen comes with a backlight similar to a phone screen. You can manually turn off the screen, or enable “automatically turn off the screen after no operation for a period of time" in the settings.

Do I need to calibrate the CO2 sensors manually? (Short answer)

Our air monitors use auto-calibration and are calibrated at the factory. This means that you shouldn’t need to calibrate again as long as the device is exposed to around 400-500ppm for a few hours every month. This can be done by taking the device outside or placing it next to an open window. If the device isn't getting enough exposure to outdoor levels, the sensors may drift over time. If this happens, you can reset the CO2 sensors in the Settings accessed via the app.

If you are indoors in an environment like a school where the classroom is empty for around 10-16 hours a day then CO2 levels may drop to near outdoor levels and you won't have to take the device outside regularly. If your indoor environment is dusty, you may need to calibrate more frequently.

Do I need to calibrate the CO2 sensors manually? (Detailed answer)

CO2 sensors, like all sensors, can experience 'drift,' leading to minor deviations in readings over time. Traditionally, this was addressed through manual calibration. However, modern CO2 sensors come with an automatic calibration feature, activated when the CO2 concentration returns to the atmospheric background level (around 400 ppm)*. This makes the sensor virtually maintenance-free for most users.

In cases where CO2 levels don't return to atmospheric levels for an extended period, manual calibration may be needed. For users who require highly precise readings, a monthly manual calibration can be performed outdoors while keeping auto-calibration active.

* The auto-calibration feature requires the user's environment to be kept airy for a period of time every day. In an office, school or home environment there are usually long periods of time during the day when no one is around and the CO2 concentration drops to atmospheric background values, at which point the auto-calibration will function properly. It is recommended that CO2 concentration drops to atmospheric background values at least once a week to keep the auto-calibration functioning properly.