LoRaWAN CO2 sensor for indoor air quality and BMS integration

VISTA WAVE: a LoRaWAN CO2 sensor for offices and schools

VISTA WAVE is a LoRaWAN CO2 sensor for facilities managers, building operators and systems integrators. It combines carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity measurements with PIR presence detection and light level measurement. This indoor air quality sensor helps teams understand conditions in occupied rooms and use the readings in a compatible monitoring platform.

For UK office, school and commercial building projects, one device provides five complementary inputs for indoor environmental monitoring. Facilities teams can review ventilation indicators, thermal comfort and room use together, rather than collecting each reading from a separate sensor.

VISTA WAVE transmits its readings over LoRaWAN and supports integration into a Building Management System (BMS) through suitable infrastructure.

An indoor air quality sensor for CO2 and ventilation monitoring

CO2 levels can help assess how effectively air is being renewed in occupied spaces. As an indoor air quality sensor, VISTA WAVE lets you follow changes in CO2 concentration alongside temperature and humidity in offices, meeting rooms, classrooms and hotel spaces.

A three-colour LED indicator provides an at-a-glance indication of CO2 levels on the device. Readings sent over LoRaWAN can also be reviewed remotely to identify periods when ventilation needs attention.

CO2 is one indicator of ventilation in occupied rooms. It is not a complete measure of indoor air quality, and VISTA WAVE does not measure every indoor pollutant. The sensor supports informed building management; it does not establish compliance with UK ventilation requirements on its own.

If you only need CO2, temperature and humidity measurements, explore the VISTA RISE LoRaWAN CO2 sensor.

A connected CO2 sensor for remote room monitoring

A connected CO2 sensor helps facilities teams compare readings from different rooms and review how conditions change during the working or school day. With compatible software, VISTA WAVE readings can inform ventilation reviews and help identify recurring periods of elevated CO2.

Remote monitoring requires LoRaWAN coverage, a gateway, a network server and a compatible application platform. Dashboards, historical records and alerts depend on the platform selected. VISTA WAVE supplies the readings; it does not control ventilation by itself.

Temperature and humidity monitoring for thermal comfort

VISTA WAVE measures room temperature and relative humidity to help operators understand changes in indoor conditions. These readings complement CO2 monitoring when reviewing comfort in offices, classrooms and shared spaces.

A compatible monitoring platform can bring the measurements together and help facilities teams identify rooms that need further investigation. Energy-saving outcomes depend on how the information is used and on the heating and ventilation systems installed.

Presence and light sensing for building use

The integrated passive infrared (PIR) sensor detects movement over a range of up to 6 metres with a 120° detection angle. Together with light level readings, it provides information about the use of indoor spaces.

Presence detection is based on movement; it is not an exact people-counting function. Compatible building systems can use these inputs in heating, lighting or ventilation strategies, depending on the controls and software in place.

For projects that do not need CO2 measurement, see the VISTA MOVE LoRaWAN presence sensor.

A CO2 sensor for BMS integration

When selecting a CO2 sensor for BMS projects, check the complete data path: LoRaWAN coverage, gateway, network server and the interface to your Building Management System. VISTA WAVE sends readings over LoRaWAN; BMS connectivity depends on the integration infrastructure.

Compatible gateways or middleware can make the readings available to systems using protocols such as BACnet or Modbus. The sensor does not communicate directly over BACnet or Modbus.

Using a CO2 sensor for BMS integration allows operators to bring environmental readings into their existing supervision tools. Any automatic ventilation or heating response must be configured in the compatible control system.

Explore NAVIXIS, the NEXELEC IoT monitoring platform, for device supervision and measurement visualisation.

L2D1 radio communication for local heating control

VISTA WAVE also supports L2D1 (Link to Device), a local radio connection between compatible NEXELEC devices. It can send room temperature readings directly to a compatible FLOW thermostatic radiator valve without a gateway or LoRaWAN network for that local exchange.

Measuring temperature away from the radiator can provide a more representative room reading for local heating regulation. The L2D1 link is separate from the LoRaWAN infrastructure used for remote monitoring.

See the FLOW PRO smart thermostatic radiator valve for compatible room heating applications.

NFC commissioning and FUOTA V2 firmware updates

Configure VISTA WAVE using NFC and the NEXELEC TOUCH smartphone app. Local configuration helps installers prepare devices and commission larger building deployments.

FUOTA V2 supports remote firmware updates through compatible LoRaWAN infrastructure. This can reduce the need to visit each device when updating firmware. NFC configuration alone does not provide the network connection required for remote monitoring.

A wireless CO2 sensor with up to 10 years of battery life

VISTA WAVE is a wireless CO2 sensor powered by one replaceable CR123 lithium battery. Radio communication and battery power avoid the need to run a power or data cable to each sensor, making it suitable for retrofit projects in existing buildings.

Battery life is up to 10 years, depending on configuration and operating conditions. Before installing a wireless CO2 sensor across multiple rooms, check network coverage and plan the reporting settings and maintenance requirements.

The wall-mounted device can be secured using screws or adhesive. A lockable base and tamper detection support installations in shared spaces. White and black finishes are available.

A CO2 sensor for schools, offices and commercial buildings

As a CO2 sensor for schools, VISTA WAVE provides classroom CO2 readings alongside temperature, humidity, movement and light levels. These inputs help estates and facilities teams review indoor conditions across teaching spaces.

In offices, the same wireless CO2 sensor supports monitoring in meeting rooms and shared workspaces. Hotels, public buildings and communal residential areas can also use its environmental readings through a compatible monitoring system.

For fewer sensing functions, explore the VISTA FEEL temperature and humidity sensor or the VISTA SPACE presence and light sensor.

View the VISTA WAVE product overview and technical documentation for further information.

LoRaWAN CO2 sensor: frequently asked questions

How do I view readings from a connected CO2 sensor?

VISTA WAVE sends readings over LoRaWAN. A compatible gateway, network server and application platform are required to collect and view them remotely. The device does not connect directly to a Wi-Fi router.

Can a wireless CO2 sensor be installed in an existing building?

Yes. VISTA WAVE runs on a replaceable battery and mounts on a wall using screws or adhesive. No power or data cable is required at the sensor. Remote monitoring still requires suitable LoRaWAN coverage and infrastructure.

How does a CO2 sensor for BMS connect to the building system?

VISTA WAVE transmits data over LoRaWAN. A compatible gateway or integration layer makes the readings available to the BMS, including via BACnet or Modbus where supported by that infrastructure. It is not a direct wired BACnet or Modbus sensor.

Is VISTA WAVE suitable as a CO2 sensor for schools?

VISTA WAVE can monitor CO2 and indoor conditions in classrooms through a compatible LoRaWAN system. Selecting a CO2 sensor for schools also involves planning placement, coverage, data access and staff response to readings. Installing a sensor alone does not guarantee regulatory compliance.

What does this indoor air quality sensor measure?

VISTA WAVE measures CO2, temperature, relative humidity and light levels, and detects presence through PIR movement sensing. It does not count people or measure every indoor pollutant.

How long does the battery last?

VISTA WAVE offers up to 10 years of battery life using one replaceable CR123 lithium battery, depending on settings and operating conditions.

Can VISTA WAVE work with FLOW radiator valves?

Yes. The local L2D1 radio link can send room temperature readings to compatible FLOW thermostatic radiator valves. This local communication does not require a gateway or LoRaWAN network.

VISTA WAVE technical specifications

Integrated sensing functions

CO2: Carbon dioxide measurement with a three-colour LED indicator.
Temperature: Room temperature measurement for thermal comfort monitoring.
Relative humidity: Indoor humidity measurement.
Presence: PIR movement detection, up to 6 metres, 120° angle.
Light levels: Ambient light measurement.

Connectivity

LoRaWAN: Long-range, low-power wireless data transmission.
L2D1: Local radio link to compatible NEXELEC devices, including FLOW thermostatic radiator valves.
BMS: Integration through compatible LoRaWAN infrastructure and interfaces. BACnet or Modbus connectivity depends on the gateway or integration layer.

Configuration and maintenance

NFC: Smartphone configuration using the NEXELEC TOUCH app.
FUOTA V2: Remote firmware updates through compatible LoRaWAN infrastructure.

Power supply

Battery: One replaceable CR123 lithium battery.
Battery life: Up to 10 years, depending on settings and operating conditions.

Installation and protection

Mounting: Wall mounting using screws or adhesive.
Protection: Lockable base and tamper detection.
Colours: White or black.

Applications and ecosystem

Applications: Offices, schools, hotels, public and commercial buildings, and shared residential spaces.
Monitoring: Compatible LoRaWAN monitoring platforms and BMS integration infrastructure.
NEXELEC ecosystem: FLOW PRO for compatible local heating control and NAVIXIS for IoT supervision.

Explore VISTA WAVE features and technical documentation.