According to the Ontario building code, what is the recommended ventilation rate for a residential house?

The recommended ventilation rate for a residential house, according to the Ontario building code, is 0.3 air changes per hour (AC/HR). This rate is recognized as a reasonable balance between maintaining indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

Ventilation is crucial in residential buildings to help ensure the removal of indoor air pollutants, such as excessive moisture, odors, and chemical vapors, while promoting a healthy living environment. A rate of 0.3 AC/HR effectively allows for sufficient fresh air exchange to dilute these pollutants and maintain comfort for occupants.

Lower rates, such as 0.1 AC/HR, may not provide adequate ventilation, potentially leading to issues with air quality. Higher rates, like 0.5 AC/HR or 0.7 AC/HR, while beneficial in terms of air exchange, might increase heating and cooling loads unnecessarily, leading to higher energy consumption and costs. Thus, 0.3 AC/HR strikes an optimal balance between comfort, health, and energy considerations in residential ventilation.