What does negative pressure in a building typically indicate?

Negative pressure in a building typically indicates improper ventilation configuration. When a building experiences negative pressure, it means that the air pressure inside the building is lower than the air pressure outside. This condition often arises when mechanical ventilation systems, like exhaust fans, remove air from the building without an adequate supply of replacement air.

As a result, outside air is drawn into the building through unintentional gaps, cracks, or openings. This can lead to a variety of issues, such as potential backdrafting of combustion appliances, which can compromise safety, and negatively impact indoor air quality. Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining a balanced indoor environment; therefore, recognizing the signs of negative pressure can help in diagnosing and correcting ventilation problems.

The other options do not accurately describe the implications of negative pressure. Excessive air supply would imply a positive pressure situation, while high energy efficiency does not correlate to pressure conditions directly. Inadequate heating could be a separate issue, but it would not solely indicate negative pressure.