Multidimensional Psychological Evaluation of Air Conditioner Sounds and Prediction via Correlation Parameters

Abstract

Air conditioners are regarded as a major source of noise in built environments. Although noise control technology has reduced the sound produced by air conditioners to a comparatively low level, some people may still feel that certain aspects of the sound quality lead to discomfort. Indeed, both the sound level and the sound quality of an air conditioner can affect user’s acoustic comfort. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that significantly influence the subjective response to the sound of air conditioners. We assessed the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (LAeq) and factors extracted from the autocorrelation function (ACF) and interaural cross-correlation (IACF). Subjective loudness, sharpness, and annoyance were evaluated using a paired comparison method. Multiple regression analyses were performed using a linear combination of LAeq, the ACF factors, IACF factors, and assessment of their standard deviations. The multiple regression analyses indicated that LAeq, the delay time of the first maximum peak, the width of the first decay of the ACF, and the magnitude and width of the IACF could predict subjective responses to air conditioner sounds.