moldventilationwindows
I am considering renting a 2 bedroom apartment with all the windows on one side(south). But I am concerned about the overall air circulation in the apartment and eventually moisture and mold problems.
Is ventilation greatly compromised by this layout? Is it possible to retrofit a ventilation system?
Start by removing the trim from around the window, this will give you a good look at the problem. Once you have the trim removed you'll be looking at something similar to this...
You may notice gaps between the window frame and the wood frame or between the wood frame and the wall, these are the areas you'll want to fill to stop the draft.
Get a can spray foam (like GreatStuff they make some specifically for this purpose, which is "low pressure" so it will not bow the window frame), fill any gaps (be careful not to use too much, this stuff can expand quite a bit). Once the foam has hardened (about an hour), use a sharp knife to trim the excess foam so it's flush with the window frame. Reinstall the window trim, and your done.
Mold needs three (or really four) things to grow: Stagnant air, moisture/humidity, and dim or dark areas with organic 'food'. The solution you're looking for probably involves using a permanent waterproof barrier (either a paint product -- which would be an industrial coating -- or a foundation product) in order to largely remove the humidity from the equation. Those coatings would need to be installed by a professional. As a cheaper and DIY solution, you might also consider 6mil plastic vapor barrier on the back side of the wallboard.
Best Answer
You can easily circulate air in this scenario with forced circulation / pressurization, AKA a box fan. A fan in the bathroom and partially open windows in the other rooms will achieve suitable circulation.
I used to make use of a whole house window fan (~$200) in an apartment I lived in years ago that could push 3,560 CFM, or put another way enough to dump all the air in the entire apartment in less than five minutes. I'd leave the AC off during the day and vent the apartment in the evening rather than (or before) turning the AC on at night.