Apple HomeKit-enabled workshop air quality monitor
After I built the cardboard stock sorting shelf, I had about a week of breathing issues as a result of poor ventilation from the sawdust and particulate in the air in my garage. Resolved to avoid another week of feeling crummy, I bought a beefy fan and have eventual plans to build a CR box based on The 3D Handyman’s very well-researched plans.
However, it’s very hard to change what isn’t measured, so I also put my go-sensors libraries to use on a Raspberry Pi and built an air quality monitor with Apple HomeKit support! I used the very excellent hap-nodejs library to integrate the rpi-sensor-exporter data for use with HomeKit. I already had a Raspberry Pi Zero W available, as well as several important sensors:
- Plantower PMS5003 for measuring particulate matter at 2.5 and 10 microns
- Sensiron SGP30 for measuring total volatile organic compounds (useful in a garage)
- Asair AHT20 for measuring temperature and humidity
I happened to have a reasonable plastic case that I scavenged from a broken air filter, so I placed the components and drilled a few quick holes. I did have to remove a little bit of the side wall to allow the Plantower PMS5003 to freely pass air through the sensor, but otherwise it was a comfortable fit. I mounted it on my battery charging wall because I already have a hefty USB charger. And now I have air quality readings available through HomeKit! (And also Prometheus, because that’s how rpi-sensor-exporter works.)