FAQ
PuffiAir measures a wide range of indoor air quality parameters using high-grade sensors. Here's a breakdown:
| Parameter | Description | Sensor Used |
|---|---|---|
| CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) | Indicates ventilation and crowding level | SCD40 |
| Temperature | Ambient air temperature | SHT31 (with offset calibration) |
| Humidity | Relative humidity of air | SHT31 (with offset calibration) |
| Barometric Pressure | Used to compensate CO₂ readings | DPS310 |
| PM1.0 / PM2.5 / PM4.0 / PM10 | Particulate matter in different sizes (dust, smoke, etc.) | SPS30 |
| VOC Index | Volatile Organic Compounds – general chemical air quality | SGP41 |
| Gas Sensor (ADC value) | Measures flammable gas presence (e.g., alcohol, VOCs) | MICS5524 |
Great question! While many commercial air quality monitors offer a plug-and-play experience, they often hide calibration, sensor drift, and configuration limitations from the user — sometimes at the cost of long-term accuracy and transparency.
PuffiAir takes a different approach:
- ✅ Full control & visibility: You can see, adjust, and calibrate every sensor — just like professionals do.
- 📏 Precision over convenience: Sensors like SCD40 and SPS30 are sensitive and long-lasting, but may require occasional calibration (e.g., CO₂ every 1–2 years, temperature offset).
- 🛠️ No vendor lock-in: PuffiAir works with open protocols like MQTT and Home Assistant, without a cloud account or app dependency.
- 🔄 Custom firmware & updates: You can apply OTA firmware upgrades, upload your own audio alerts, or expand with I²C/GPIO headers on the PCB.
In short: PuffiAir is built for transparency, flexibility, and accuracy — making it ideal for power users, developers, makers, and anyone who wants full trust in their air data.
PuffiAir vs. Typical Consumer Air Monitors¶
| Feature / Category | PuffiAir 🧠 | Typical Devices 🧸 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor Transparency | ✅ Real-time values, calibration exposed | ❌ Hidden, locked-down readings |
| Calibration Options | ✅ Manual + MQTT/web control | ❌ Often not available |
| Sensor Quality | ✅ Industrial-grade (SCD40, SPS30, SGP41…) | ⚠️ Varies, often low-end or unlisted |
| Open Integration | ✅ MQTT + BLE + Home Assistant | ❌ Usually closed / cloud-only |
| Data Ownership | ✅ 100% local, no cloud needed | ❌ Data may go to vendor’s cloud |
| Firmware Updates | ✅ Web OTA + customization | ❌ Rarely updatable |
| Customization Flexibility | ✅ Full access to LED, sound, behavior | ❌ No customization |
| Usage Profile | 🧑🔧 Maker / Developer / Pro User | 👶 Plug-and-play consumer |
| Long-term Accuracy | ✅ Supports recalibration for multi-year use | ⚠️ Accuracy may degrade over time |
| Build Philosophy | 🧩 Transparent, repairable, hackable | 🔒 Sealed, closed design |
PuffiAir is designed with privacy and local control at its core, ensuring your data stays secure and never leaves your network.
🛡️ 1. No Cloud, No Account, No Tracking¶
- PuffiAir does not connect to any cloud servers.
- There is no registration, no telemetry, and no remote data collection of any kind.
📲 2. Private Mobile App – 100% Local¶
- The official PuffiAir App communicates with your device via Bluetooth (BLE).
- It requires no account, no internet, and stores all data locally on your phone.
- Historical sensor data is saved privately and can be exported manually (e.g., as CSV or graph images).
🔐 3. Secure MQTT Integration¶
- PuffiAir only communicates with your own MQTT broker, such as Home Assistant or Mosquitto.
- You control the broker location, credentials, and encryption.
- Supports username/password login and optional TLS/SSL encryption.
🌐 4. Local Web Interface¶
- All settings, calibrations, and firmware updates are performed via a local web interface.
- This runs directly on the device (ESP32), no third-party involved.
⚙️ 5. Manual OTA Updates Only¶
- Firmware updates are uploaded manually through the web UI.
- No auto-updates, so no chance of hidden or unauthorized changes.
🚫 6. AP Mode Auto-Disables¶
- If Wi-Fi isn’t configured, PuffiAir enters a temporary AP mode for setup.
- After connecting to Wi-Fi, AP mode automatically turns off, reducing attack surface.
\ ✅ Summary:
- No cloud, no account, no tracking
- App works fully offline
- Your MQTT, your server, your rules
- All settings and firmware fully controlled by you
PuffiAir is ideal for users who care about data privacy and full ownership of their smart home environment.
PuffiAir is not a certified safety device.\ It is a consumer-grade environmental monitor designed for personal insight and wellness awareness — not for emergency detection.
⚠️ PuffiAir does not meet safety standards such as those defined by:
- NBIC (National Board Inspection Code)
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
- IFC (International Fire Code)
This means PuffiAir should not be used as a replacement for certified CO₂ alarms, smoke detectors, or gas leak sensors in critical environments like industrial sites, hospitals, or homes requiring regulatory compliance.
However, it can still help raise early awareness:
- Rising CO₂ may suggest poor ventilation
- Increased PM2.5 could indicate pollution or wildfire smoke
- Abnormal VOC or gas readings may prompt further investigation
For critical safety use, always pair PuffiAir with certified detection devices.
✅ Home Assistant
Thanks to MQTT Auto Discovery, PuffiAir can be integrated instantly into Home Assistant. All sensors (CO₂, PM2.5, VOC, temperature, etc.) appear automatically. You can also control functions like LED and mute switches from the dashboard.
✅ Other MQTT-compatible systems
Any platform that supports MQTT can receive real-time sensor data from PuffiAir. You’re free to use the data in:
- OpenHAB
- Node-RED
- Domoticz
- Your custom scripts or dashboards
✅ Klipper (3D printing)
PuffiAir can be used in Klipper firmware by feeding air quality data into virtual sensors, allowing you to:
- Pause prints on poor air quality
- Trigger enclosure fans
- Include environmental logs per print
✅ Companion Mobile App (Offline)
PuffiAir comes with a dedicated mobile app that connects via Bluetooth.
- No account required
- No cloud involved
- Full data access and historical graphing, all 100% local
❗Note: Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or Alexa are not supported natively.\ However, they can be bridged via Home Assistant if needed.
No. Just plug in the USB power, and access the setup page via Wi-Fi (AP mode) to configure your home Wi-Fi. No app or driver installation is required.
Yes. PuffiAir can run from any 5V USB power source, including portable power banks.\ However, some power banks do not automatically start power output when connecting to low-power devices like PuffiAir. Please make sure your power bank supports always-on or low-current mode.
Yes. Everything can be set up and used from the web interface. The mobile app is optional for visualization and historical data tracking.
PuffiAir uses high-quality sensors from reputable manufacturers such as Sensirion and Sensirion-certified modules—not low-cost chips often seen in cheaper devices.\ Combined with our custom-designed algorithms (including multi-sample smoothing, pressure compensation, and VOC signal conditioning), PuffiAir delivers stable and reliable readings suitable for advanced monitoring and automation.\ While not certified for industrial calibration, PuffiAir provides consistent and reliable readings that are sufficient for home, office, and educational monitoring purposes.
No. All data stays local unless you manually connect it to a public MQTT broker. Your information is not uploaded or shared.
Yes. All components used in PuffiAir, including sensors, PCBs, and soldering materials, are selected to meet RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standards.\ Our manufacturing process—such as PCB assembly and soldering—is carried out using lead-free, RoHS-compliant equipment and materials.
We are committed to environmentally responsible design, ensuring that PuffiAir contains no restricted substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, or hexavalent chromium.