Minute Ventilation

Ventilation reduces pollutant concentration but can increase energy use because incoming air must be heated or cooled. The article favors smaller, better-ventilated homes with better materials over larger homes with weaker environmental controls. Minute ventilation is the total amount of air breathed per minute. Reduced minute ventilation means breathing less air overall. Poor ventilation can concentrate mold spores, VOCs, carbon dioxide, and odors indoors. The physiological effect of ujjayi breathing depends on tidal volume and respiratory rate. Smaller or shorter ujjayi breaths may reduce minute ventilation even if the respiratory rate is not especially slow. Airtight homes can become unhealthy if they lack adequate fresh-air exchange. Opening windows can help with VOCs and carbon dioxide, but wildfire smoke, outdoor pollution, and humidity can make ventilation inappropriate.