What can excessive outdoor air intake lead to in an HVAC system?

Excessive outdoor air intake can significantly decrease the efficiency of an HVAC system. When an HVAC system is designed, it is engineered to handle a specific volume of air—both indoors and outdoors. Introducing too much outdoor air can overwhelm the system, making it work harder to condition that air to reach desired indoor temperature and humidity levels.

This increased workload translates into more energy consumption, driving up operational costs. Additionally, an HVAC system may struggle to maintain proper airflow patterns, leading to poor distribution of conditioned air throughout a space. The system could also be more susceptible to increased wear and tear, resulting in more frequent maintenance and potential breakdowns. All of these factors contribute to decreased system efficiency, making it a critical consideration in the design and operation of HVAC systems.