Why does air conditioning make the air feel colder than the temperature would seem to indicate?

Answer 1

Air conditioning also removes the humidity from the air, which is what gives warmer air its oppressive feeling. So, even if the air conditioner doesn't drop the temperature much, it will feel cooler due to the drop in humidity. The lower humidity also allows you to sweat more easily and cool yourself more efficiently, which you can't do when it is higher.

Answer 2

When the aircondition is on the (colder than your body temperature) air is moving, even if you do not perceive it. When the air flows over your skin energy is flowing from you skin to the air (from the warmer to the colder), which you perceive as "cooling". It is the same reason you use fans or stand in the wind to cool down.

When you turn off the aircondition your perception is, that the temperature is increasing fast (even if the measured temperature is still low).

Humdity also plays a role but this only kicks in over a longer period (some hours).

Try it next summer: use a fan and sit close to it, you will be surprised how long you can feel comfortable without aircondition and how this reduces your energy bill.

Before aircondition was invented houses in hot areas were designed that the air would move in the summer (there is a natural windflow in our close environment) just with open windows. Even in Manhattan you have a natural windflow in summer between the Hudson nd East-River and the skyscrapers which you can use.

Answer 3

air from the airconditioning is colder than your skin
so it would feel cool because it is evaporating water on your skin
it takes longer for the temperature to change because it has to mix with the air in your house/car 1st