Why is proper ventilation vital in a high-performance building?

Proper ventilation is essential in high-performance buildings primarily because it ensures healthy indoor air quality while maintaining efficiency. Well-designed ventilation systems help to provide a continuous supply of fresh air, thereby diluting and removing indoor pollutants, allergens, and moisture that can adversely affect the health and comfort of occupants. This is especially critical in environments where building materials and activities can generate harmful substances, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

In addition to the health benefits, effective ventilation also complements the overall building performance by working in conjunction with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. By maintaining appropriate air exchange rates, proper ventilation can help in optimizing energy usage, ensuring that HVAC systems don’t have to work harder than necessary to maintain desired temperature and humidity levels. Consequently, this can enhance energy efficiency without sacrificing indoor air quality.

The other options do not capture the primary role of ventilation in high-performance buildings. Increasing energy costs is an undesirable outcome; aesthetic appeal is secondary to functionality when considering ventilation; and while minimizing HVAC system size can be a benefit of proper ventilation, it is not the core reason ventilation is prioritized in building design and operation.