Imbalanced ventilation can lead to what indoor air quality issue?

Imbalanced ventilation can significantly contribute to increased humidity levels in a building's interior. When ventilation systems are not properly balanced, it can lead to inadequate air exchange, which traps moisture inside. This trapped humidity can create an environment that is conducive to mold growth as mold thrives in damp conditions.

Proper ventilation is essential for regulating indoor humidity levels and promoting healthy air quality. If the intake and exhaust of air are not balanced, excess moisture can accumulate, particularly in spaces like basements and bathrooms, which may already be prone to higher humidity levels. Over time, this situation can lead to serious indoor air quality issues, such as mold and mildew proliferation, which can have adverse health effects on occupants and structural impacts on the building itself.

In contrast, the other potential issues listed, while relevant in certain contexts, are typically not direct consequences of imbalanced ventilation in the same way that increased humidity and mold growth are. Odors may arise from various sources but are not a primary concern with imbalanced ventilation. Drafts usually result from air leaks rather than ventilation imbalances, and noise disturbances from outside, while possible with certain ventilation designs, do not directly stem from an imbalance in airflow.