How can temperature influence indoor air quality?

Temperature significantly influences indoor air quality by affecting how occupants perceive their environment and how air pollutants behave within that environment. Extreme temperatures—whether too hot or too cold—can lead to discomfort for the occupants, which may alter their perceptions of the air quality. For instance, when temperatures are excessively high, people may feel stuffy and overheat, which can lead to an increase in the perception of stale air or inadequate ventilation, even if the actual air quality metrics might be acceptable.

Moreover, extreme temperatures can also affect the operation and efficiency of HVAC systems, making it more challenging to maintain optimal air circulation and control humidity levels, thereby potentially worsening air quality. Consequently, discomfort due to temperature extremes can diminish overall satisfaction with indoor environments and contribute to issues such as irritability, reduced productivity, and adverse health effects.

In contrast, temperature's impact on air quality is nuanced, meaning that it is not simply a matter of lower temperatures always ensuring better air quality or being completely irrelevant to IAQ. Understanding this relationship is crucial for managing indoor environments effectively.