What is the main goal of increasing ventilation rates in a building?

Increasing ventilation rates in a building primarily aims to reduce the accumulation of indoor air pollutants. When ventilation is improved, fresh outdoor air replaces stale indoor air, helping to dilute and remove various contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, and other harmful particulates. This process is essential for maintaining a healthy indoor environment, as stagnant air can lead to the concentration of pollutants that could negatively impact occupants' health and comfort.

While increasing ventilation can have effects on temperature and energy use, those are secondary considerations to the fundamental goal of enhancing air quality. Higher ventilation rates can raise indoor temperatures in colder climates or increase energy consumption if not managed efficiently. Moreover, promoting outdoor air pollution inside contradicts the objectives of improving indoor air quality, so those options do not align with the primary purpose of increased ventilation rates.