A variable speed air handling system for cooling and/or heating a room and a method of controlling the system. The system includes a fan assembly to transport air from the system into the room, the fan assembly having a substantially continuously adjustable speed within a range of speeds defined by a predetermined upper limit and a predetermined lower limit. A user interface transmits a signal in response to a desired speed of the fan assembly input by an operator via the user interface. The system further includes a control unit to substantially continuously adjust the speed of the fan assembly to a speed in the range of speeds in response to the signal transmitted by the user interface, and a climate control unit for heating and/or cooling the air to be transported from the air conditioner by the fan assembly.