Indoor Air Quality Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Test Prep

The stack effect in convective ventilation primarily refers to the natural movement of air within a building as a result of temperature differences between the indoor and outdoor environments. When warm air rises, it creates a pressure differential that helps to draw cooler outdoor air into the lower parts of a building. This process facilitates the exchange of indoor and outdoor air, which can improve air quality by introducing fresh air and expelling stale air.

This exchange is essential for maintaining indoor air quality as it helps to dilute indoor air pollutants, regulate humidity levels, and enhance overall comfort. As warm air escapes through openings at higher levels, cooler air is drawn in from the outside, effectively refreshing the indoor environment. Understanding this mechanism underlines the importance of proper building design that harnesses the stack effect for ongoing ventilation.