What term refers to air that is removed from a conditioned space and either recirculated or exhausted?

The term that refers to air that is removed from a conditioned space and either recirculated or exhausted is return air. Return air is typically pulled from the occupied area of a building and sent back to the air handling unit where it can be reconditioned (cooled, heated, or dehumidified) before being distributed again. It plays a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality and temperature control by balancing the system’s airflow.

Fresh air refers to outside air that is brought into the conditioned space to improve air quality but does not refer to air that is already within the space itself. Exhaust air represents the air that is expelled from the conditioned space to manage excess heat and humidity but does not describe the air that is also recirculated back into the system. Recycled air could imply similar processes but is not a standard term used in HVAC terminology, which specifically distinguishes between fresh, return, and exhaust air.