Center for the Built Environment

Air movement can provide comfort in warm environments in energy-efficient and cost-effective ways. However, there have been suggestions that people’s perception of air quality reduces with increased air temperature, which could preclude the air-movement approach to comfort control. We examined this issue in a human subject test in neutral (24.5ºC) to warm (28ºC, 30ºC) temperatures, with a range of air speeds provided from two sides into the face and breathing zone. Perceived air quality (PAQ) was significantly improved by airspeed. At 28ºC, re-circulated room air at 1 m/s airspeed produced PAQ equivalent to that found under the neutral condition. Mechanisms of how air movement affects PAQ are discussed. In warm environments, air movement can provide high levels of both thermal comfort and perceived air quality.