Acal BFi supports Airios with the need for clean, fresh air in the home

Smart applications are also increasingly being used in homes apply. Think of home automation, with which the resident automates all kinds of processes in the house and makes it easier for himself. It is precisely that living comfort that Airios focuses on. The company from Veldhoven supplies specifically to manufacturers of ventilation systems. Whereby it also responds to the desire from the market to have insight into the CO2 content in the air in a home. A question of measuring, with CO2 sensors. Supplied by Acal BFi, which modifies the sensors in such a way that Airios can continue with it quickly.

'We are now moving through a certification process more quickly'

There is something intangible about the CO2 content in the air. You can't smell it. You can't see it. And yet that CO2 content - measured in parts per million (ppm) – how fresh the air in a home should be, says Christian van Gils, product marketing manager at Airios. 'A value between 600 and 800 ppm is ideal, it should not be more in a home. If that level deviates, there is a greater chance that all kinds of bad substances and virus particles will accumulate in the air.' In the meantime, corona has put the importance of a well-ventilated space higher on the agenda. But according to Van Gils, people should become more aware of what the correct CO2 level does. 'It prevents loss of concentration and also reduces the impact of allergies, for example.'

Supplying to OEMs
Clean, fresh air. That is what they are aiming for here in Veldhoven at Airios, says Van Gils. The core business of the company is the development and production of electronics and control systems for the ventilation of homes. Focused on the consumer, although they do supply to the OEMs – the manufacturers of ventilation systems. 'They do the mechanics, such as the fans and cabinets, we take care of the electronics', says Ivo Mols, product and project manager at Airios. 'We complement each other well.'

Rules lead to advantage

Mechanics and electronics are two separate worlds, says Mols. And according to him, that distinction is only getting bigger, now that the market is placing more and more demands on electronics and control systems. After all, they have to be smart. Provide insight. And thus contribute to more efficiency and energy-efficient ventilation. Mols remembers the tipping point. 'It must have been around the turn of the century. Until then, energy-efficient living mainly came down to insulating the house. Until that became more expensive than smart ventilation, which contributes just as much to energy-efficient living.'

'The ventilation market is very regulation-driven, especially in the Netherlands and Belgium'

The demand for smart ventilation systems arose and continued. As a result, regulations followed suit. And you can bet that this has an impact on the world of Airios, says Van Gils. 'The ventilation market is very regulation-driven, especially in the Netherlands and Belgium. That requires a continuous refinement of our products and ensures that we can also do well in Europe. With our plans for growth abroad, that gives us a head start.'

Insight comes with measurement

We build for comfort, is the slogan of Airios. But how does that same comfort contribute to the maximum possible savings for the consumer? Ultimately, insight stands or falls with measuring, which also applies to the CO2 sensors supplied by Acal BFi. Acal BFi is located in Eindhoven, is part of the DiscoverIE Group and can therefore rely on a wide network of manufacturers and suppliers. 'This allows us to quickly meet Airios' demand', says Robert Ermers, key account manager at Acal BFi. 'That speed is necessary: with smart adjustments to the sensor, we shorten the time-to-market for Airios. This allows the company to remain at the forefront in this era of digitalization.'

Acal BFi has been supplying the CO2 sensor to Airios for two or three years, says sales manager Rob Verbakel. 'During that period, the sensor was modified to what it is now. Fueled by questions from the market and Airios, but also by input from ourselves and our manufacturer.' The sensor has become more energy-efficient, says Verbakel. Flatter too. And even smaller. 'Less power consumption is important. But a suitable size for a small socket is just as good.'

Two variants
The Airios market is strongly cost-driven, says Mols. 'That's why we prefer to purchase high volumes, with not too much variation in the products themselves. That also applies to the CO2 sensor, of which we have chosen two variants from an admittedly larger range. We use one for a standard, wired system. The other is still in development, and will serve as an application in a battery-powered system. Acal BFi helps us with that, with the requirement from our side that the batteries of the sensors last at least five years. For a consumer product that is a long time, and also nice for a housing corporation. They only have to include the replacement of the batteries in the general, five-yearly maintenance. And in the meantime they don't have to worry about it.'

Piggybacking on volumes

In a field where developments are so fast, a short time-to-market of products is the goal for Airios. 'That's why we prefer not to have a completely own design of our product specifications', says Mols. 'Instead, we like to piggyback on the knowledge and volume of the parties we purchase from. With a small twist to the products, so that they can be quickly incorporated for us. Acal BFi offers us that customization, where you have to think of adjustments to a communication protocol in addition to modifications to a product. Partly because of that, we can go through a certification process faster.'

Anticipating wireless
Testing, evaluating, modifying: that is the collaboration between Airios and Acal BFi in a nutshell, as both parties outline. 'The thinking along with Acal BFi is very important to us', says Van Gils, 'ultimately that is where it starts.' And not for the short term, emphasizes Ermers on behalf of Acal BFi, but with the roadmap of Airios in mind. 'Where are the regulations going? What will the customer need be in a few years? Now there is a 230 volt system on the wall, soon it will be wireless. It is up to us to anticipate that, together with the customer.'

Would you like to know more about Acal BFi Netherlands and what we can do for you? Click here for more. 

We are happy to help you. You can reach my colleagues via:

e-mail: sales-nl@acalbfi.nl
telephone: +31 (0) 40-250 74 00

With kind regards,

Elsa Kamberi
Marcom Manager

Acal BFi Benelux