An air moving appliance comprising an electric motor coupled to a fan, a control system for controlling the motor, the control system including monitoring means configured to monitor a motor load parameter; memory means configured to store a predetermined reference motor load parameter value; compensating means that determines a compensated reference motor load parameter value based on the predetermined reference motor load parameter value and a set of ambient environment input conditions; comparison means configured to compare the motor load parameter and the compensated reference motor load parameter value and trigger an operational event based on the result of the comparison. The invention also relates to a method of controlling an air moving appliance.