Airflow fluctuation is an important factor affecting indoor thermal environments and human thermal response. In this study, dynamic airflows with different fluctuation characteristics were generated by a dynamic air supply terminal. The influence of three different kinds of airflows, constant airflow, simulated natural airflow and sinusoidal airflow, on thermal comfort was studied. Subjective experiments indicated that a dynamic airflow can cause a stronger cold sensation, and that air movement with 1/f fluctuations similar to natural wind is more acceptable than other dynamic airflows in warm environments. Moreover, the impact of draughts in dynamic airflows on human thermal response is different in neutral-warm (30 degrees C) and cool-neutral (26 degrees C) thermal environments.
Practical implications: By means of a dynamic air supply terminal it is possible to generate artificial airflows that simulate natural wind indoors. This kind of airflow with higher velocity is more comfortable and causes less draught sensation than the constant airflows supplied by conventional fans. While the cooling effect of this airflow is utilized in the built environment, the design temperature of air-conditioning system can be increased and the amount of energy consumption can be reduced dramatically.