The relationship between indoor air quality (IAQ) and perceived air quality (PAQ) – a review and case analysis of Chinese residential environment

•Summary and comparison of different perceived air quality (PAQ) evaluation methods.•The effect of indoor environment parameters on PAQ is summarized.•The status of indoor air quality in Chinese residential buildings is reviewed.•The influence of indoor air quality in Chinese residence on its PAQ is discussed. Due to the majority of time people spent indoors, indoor air quality is not only critical to people's health, comfort, but can also significantly influence occupants perception on indoor environment. Air quality is closely related to many factors including thermal parameters, pollutant concentrations, and ventilation performance. However, the current building indoor air quality evaluation method is based the objective measurement of indoor parameters, without considering occupants’ subjective perception. This paper is aimed at summarizing a profound review on the PAQ evaluation method. Comparisons among various PAQ evaluating methods with advantages, similarities and differences were conducted. Analysis of literatures about indoor air quality in Chinese residential buildings field is also summarized, and discussion on the subjective influence of temperature and relative humidity, ventilation performance, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentration, and particulate matters on perceived air quality is carried out. [Display omitted]