Why is proper ventilation important in HVAC systems?

Proper ventilation in HVAC systems is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality and overall comfort. It ensures a consistent supply of fresh air while effectively removing indoor pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and moisture. These pollutants can accumulate from various sources, including cooking, cleaning products, and human activities.

By facilitating the exchange of stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, proper ventilation helps reduce health risks associated with poor air quality, such as respiratory issues and allergies. Additionally, it contributes to the overall climate control by balancing humidity levels, preventing mold growth, and enhancing occupant comfort.

This function is at the core of ventilation's role within HVAC systems, highlighting its necessity for a safe and comfortable indoor environment. While reducing energy consumption and filtering noise may also be concerns in building design, they do not directly capture the primary importance of ventilation as defined in this context.