Ventilation

All our buildings are ventilated, but for most of us ventilation isn’t something we think about—it’s something that just happens. Without ventilation, the air inside our buildings would become stale, CO₂ levels would rise (from us breathing), and eventually we would become drowsy. Moisture levels will also increase and potentially cause damp problems (as explained in another document in this series on moisture in buildings).

Buildings need to be ventilated if they are to be healthy and usable spaces. Keeping ventilation in mind is especially important when making changes (such as increased insulation) to help with energy efficiency.

Learner Level: Intermediate