In air conditioning, what does a decrease in fan speed typically lead to?

A decrease in fan speed in an air conditioning system primarily reduces the airflow through the system. This change can significantly impact the cooling efficiency. When the fan operates at lower speeds, the volume of air passing over the evaporator coil decreases, leading to less heat exchange and reduced cooling capacity. As the system struggles to maintain the desired temperature, it may not effectively mitigate the indoor heat load, resulting in a lower overall cooling efficiency.

In addition to cooling efficiency, the decrease in air velocity can also cause other issues such as increased humidity levels in the space. However, the fundamental and immediate effect of reducing the fan speed is finding a decrease in cooling efficiency, as air conditioning systems depend on optimal airflow to transfer heat effectively.