Since there are a wide variety of sensors available with air quality meters, the first step in renting a meter is to determine what you need to measure.  Air quality meters can measure gases and airborne particles.  Be sure to consider what you need to do with the data once you have gathered it, this will inform you of your data storage needs.

Air quality meters have two main features, the sensors and the display.  Some units are only capable of measuring the presence of one gas, usually carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide.  Other units contain multiple sensors and display more than one reading at a time.  Many outdoor air quality meters have interchangeable sensors since there are many possible air pollutants.  Some models have data storage or the ability to link to a computer.  They can also compile minimum, maximum, and average readings.

Air is drawn into the air quality meter and past various sensors.  These sensors test the air for airborne particles (examples: pollen, mold, bacteria), oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, humidity, and many other factors.  The two most common sensors types are electrochemical and infrared sensors.  Electrochemical sensors are used to test for oxygen and carbon monoxide; the sensor turns the gas into an electric current for measurement.  Infrared sensors send an infrared beam through the gas.

Air quality meters are used to test the air both indoors and outdoors.  Outdoor air quality is tested for air pollution.  Indoor air quality is tested to ensure the comfort and health of the people living and working in the space by controlling the temperature, humidity, and airborne allergens present.

• Businesses/Offices
• Agriculture
• Industrial
• Engineering
• Laboratory
• Household

• Aeroqual
• Amprobe
• Davis Instruments
• Extech
• Fluke