What does "air turnover" indicate in HVAC terminology?

In HVAC terminology, "air turnover" refers to the rate at which air is replaced with fresh air within a given space or system. This process is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality, ensuring that stale air, pollutants, and humidity levels are adequately managed.

Understanding air turnover is essential for HVAC design and operation because it helps to ensure that the air within a building is refreshed adequately to prevent the buildup of contaminants and to support the overall comfort of occupants. High turnover rates can improve indoor air quality but may also lead to increased energy costs if not managed properly. Therefore, calculating the required turnover rate is critical for balancing air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency in HVAC systems.