Gaming conventions and LAN parties bring together hundreds of passionate gamers in enclosed spaces for hours of intense competition and camaraderie. But what happens to indoor air quality when you pack that many high-performance gaming PCs, energy drinks, and enthusiastic people into one venue? Apollo Automation set out to answer that question at LANWAR 75 in Louisville, Kentucky, and we're bringing our air quality monitoring expertise to WhaleLAN in British Columbia this February.
Air Quality Monitoring at LANWAR: The Data Behind the Gaming
LANWAR 75 (January 15-18, 2026) gave us the perfect opportunity to deploy our AIR-1 air quality sensors throughout the University of Louisville Student Activities Center. As one of North America's longest-running LAN parties, LANWAR attracts hundreds of gamers for a full weekend of BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) gaming, tournaments, and community building.
We strategically placed multiple AIR-1 sensors throughout the venue to track key air quality parameters in real time:
What We Measured
Using the Sensirion SEN55 sensor at the heart of the AIR-1, we monitored:
- PM1, PM2.5, PM4, and PM10 (particulate matter from dust, electronics, and general activity)
- VOC Index (volatile organic compounds from electronics, food, and energy drinks)
- NOx Index (nitrogen oxides from various sources)
- Temperature and humidity (critical for both comfort and hardware performance)
- CO2 levels (via optional SCD40 module, tracking ventilation effectiveness)
The data we collected at LANWAR provides valuable insights into indoor air quality at large gaming events. High concentrations of gaming PCs generate heat and can impact air quality, while hundreds of attendees in a shared space affect CO2 levels and overall ventilation needs. Understanding these patterns helps event organizers make informed decisions about HVAC systems, ventilation strategies, and participant comfort.
Integration with Home Assistant and ESPHome
All our AIR-1 sensors operate locally via Wi-Fi using ESPHome firmware, feeding data directly into Home Assistant dashboards. This allowed us to monitor air quality trends throughout the weekend without relying on cloud services or subscriptions. The local control and privacy-first approach resonated perfectly with the tech-savvy LANWAR community, many of whom already run Home Assistant in their own homes.
The LANWAR Experience: More Than Just Data
Beyond the air quality monitoring, LANWAR 75 was an incredible experience for our team. The gaming community's passion and technical expertise align perfectly with Apollo Automation's values. We met builders, tinkerers, and smart home enthusiasts who appreciate locally-controlled devices and open-source development.
The event featured tournaments, Game of the Hour (GOTH) community sessions, board games, and the kind of late-night gaming marathons that make LAN parties legendary. Being part of this 26-year tradition (LANWAR was founded in 1998) reminded us why we love building sensors for technical communities.
Coming Soon: Air Quality Monitoring at WhaleLAN
We're excited to announce that Apollo Automation will be attending WhaleLAN on February 21-22, 2026, in British Columbia, Canada. Organized by the team behind Linus Tech Tips and LTX, WhaleLAN represents another premier BYOC gaming event where we'll deploy our air quality monitoring systems.
What to Expect at WhaleLAN
At WhaleLAN, we'll be bringing:
- Air quality monitoring stations throughout the venue using AIR-1 sensors
- Free swag and giveaways from Apollo Automation
- Free devices and swag from our partners at Nabu Casa/Home Assistant
- Free swag from our friends at Homey
- Live air quality dashboards showing real-time data from the event
- Hands-on demos of Apollo sensors and Home Assistant integration
If you're attending WhaleLAN, stop by to learn about indoor air quality monitoring, pick up some free swag, and see how our sensors work in real-world environments. Whether you're interested in smart home automation, air quality tracking, or just want to grab some cool gear from Apollo, Nabu Casa, and Homey, we'd love to meet you.
The Methane Question: Adding a "Flatulence Counter" Feature?
Here's where things get interesting (and slightly ridiculous). The AIR-1 includes an optional MiCS-4514 gas sensor that can detect various gases including methane, CO, ammonia, ethanol, and hydrogen. While this sensor is typically used for detecting cooking fumes, potential gas leaks, or general air quality changes, the internet has other ideas.
We've received more than a few requests to add a "flatulence counter" feature to the AIR-1, leveraging its methane detection capabilities. Technically speaking, the MiCS-4514 sensor can detect methane spikes, which are indeed present in flatulence. Would it work? Probably. Should we do it? That's debatable.
The reality is that the MiCS-4514 sensor experiences cross-sensitivity and can spike from various sources, making it more of a presence indicator than a precise PPM measurement tool. So while you could theoretically track methane fluctuations at a gaming convention (and let's be honest, with hundreds of gamers fueled by pizza, energy drinks, and questionable dietary choices, there would be data), the scientific validity would be... questionable.
That said, if there's enough interest from the community, we might just add a tongue-in-cheek "atmospheric methane events" tracker to our WhaleLAN dashboard. After all, open-source development is about giving the people what they want, even if what they want is to gamify flatulence detection at a LAN party.
Why Air Quality Monitoring Matters at Gaming Events
Beyond the novelty of methane detection, there are legitimate reasons to monitor air quality at large gaming conventions:
1. Participant Health and Comfort
Poor air quality can cause headaches, fatigue, and reduced cognitive performance. For gamers competing in tournaments or marathon gaming sessions, maintaining good air quality directly impacts their experience and performance.
2. HVAC System Optimization
Real-time air quality data helps venue managers understand when and where additional ventilation is needed, optimizing energy use while maintaining comfort.
3. Hardware Performance
High temperatures and humidity can affect gaming PC performance. Monitoring environmental conditions helps identify hot spots and potential hardware issues before they become problems.
4. Community Awareness
Sharing air quality data with attendees raises awareness about indoor environmental quality and demonstrates the practical applications of smart home sensors in public spaces.
Technical Details: The AIR-1 for Event Monitoring
The AIR-1 is Apollo Automation's most compact and affordable air quality monitor, designed specifically for ESPHome and Home Assistant users. Key features for event monitoring include:
- Compact design (61 × 61 × 30 mm) for discreet placement throughout venues
- Wi-Fi connectivity for real-time data streaming to centralized dashboards
- RGB LED indicators for visual air quality status (configurable in ESPHome)
- Bluetooth tracking for presence detection and occupancy awareness
- Optional CO2 monitoring with SCD40 sensor for ventilation effectiveness
- 10-year sensor lifespan on the SEN55 for long-term deployment
- Local control with no cloud dependencies or subscriptions
For gaming events, we typically configure the AIR-1 to send data every 60 seconds, providing granular insights into air quality changes throughout the day and night. The ESPHome integration allows us to set custom thresholds for alerts and automate responses like changing LED colors when CO2 levels exceed comfortable ranges.
Join Us at WhaleLAN: Free Swag and Air Quality Insights
If you're attending WhaleLAN on February 21-22, 2026, come find the Apollo Automation booth. We'll have:
- Live air quality dashboards showing real-time data from throughout the venue
- Free Apollo Automation swag including stickers, shirts, and more
- Free Nabu Casa/Home Assistant swag and devices for the HA community
- Free Homey swag for smart home enthusiasts
- Product demos of the AIR-1, MSR-2, MTR-1, and other Apollo sensors
- Home Assistant integration tutorials for anyone interested in getting started
- Potentially a methane tracker if the community demands it
Whether you're a competitive gamer, a casual LAN party enthusiast, or a smart home tinkerer, we'd love to connect with you at WhaleLAN. And if you have strong opinions about fart counters, we definitely want to hear them.
The Intersection of Gaming and Smart Home Technology
Events like LANWAR and WhaleLAN perfectly demonstrate the overlap between gaming communities and smart home enthusiasts. Both groups appreciate:
- Technical depth and customization
- Local control and privacy
- Open-source development and community contributions
- Practical problem-solving with technology
- Hardware that respects user choice
Apollo Automation builds sensors for these communities because we are these communities. We understand the desire for devices that work offline, don't phone home to corporate servers, and integrate seamlessly with systems like Home Assistant and ESPHome.
Looking Forward: More Gaming Events in 2026
LANWAR and WhaleLAN are just the beginning. We're exploring opportunities to bring air quality monitoring to more gaming conventions, esports events, and community gatherings throughout 2026. If you're organizing a gaming event and interested in real-time air quality monitoring, reach out to us at support@apolloautomation.com.
Learn More
- LANWAR: https://lanwar.com/
- WhaleLAN: https://www.whalelan.com/
- Apollo AIR-1: https://apolloautomation.com/products/air-1
- Apollo Automation: https://apolloautomation.com
- Home Assistant: https://www.home-assistant.io/
- ESPHome: https://esphome.io/
We'll see you at WhaleLAN with fresh data, free swag, and possibly the world's first scientifically-questionable fart counter. Game on.
About Apollo Automation
Apollo Automation designs and manufactures privacy-first, locally-controlled smart home sensors in Versailles, Kentucky. All our devices operate via ESPHome and Home Assistant without cloud dependencies or subscriptions. We're proud partners of the Open Home Foundation and hold one of four board seats supporting the future of open-source smart home technology.
