Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are among the most important inventions of the history of modern times. They made blockbuster summer movies possible and helped boost production for wartime supplies as well as airplanes.
Cooling, however, places an enormous strain on the power system and creates huge quantities of pollution. This special IEA Report raises awareness of the impact and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing a new cooling system energy efficiency is a key aspect. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner and you’ll save money on energy bills, as well as reduce your environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated according to a variety of energy efficiency ratings, including SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings indicate how much an air conditioner can cool for a given amount of power consumed. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit is. You can find a system’s SEER rating on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” on the internet.
When looking for an air conditioner that is new look for one that has a high rating. This rating reveals how efficiently the unit can perform in normal conditions. If you’re replacing a model that’s older with a higher SEER rating will drastically reduce your energy consumption and expenses.
Other factors can impact the efficiency of energy in air conditioning systems, too. High indoor humidity, lack of maintenance and leaks in ducts, for instance, can make your system work harder and consume additional energy. Making sure you are keeping up with routine maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are easy steps to improve your system’s energy efficiency.
Large commercial cooling systems come with their own energy efficiency concerns, too. They use a combination of packaged or split-compressors and huge pipe networks to provide cooling throughout the building. These systems may also include steam systems that require specific maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from getting blocked.
Additionally the majority of these massive systems are controlled by something known as a Building Automation System (BAS) which connects all cooling and heating systems of the building into a single system. Verde has helped optimize the efficiency of the systems by offering retrocommissioning strategies that offer rapid paybacks.
The global effort to combat the impact of climate change is largely dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air-conditioning. In the end, we must ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling devices to market, and that consumers are demanding these appliances. In the meantime we can take additional measures to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is an important health issue for those who spend a large part of their lives inside buildings. There are a variety of ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems like allergies, asthma fatigue, allergies, etc.
Particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide are the three main pollutants in modern homes and offices. These pollutants can be released into the air through a variety of activities such as cooking, cleaning, and smoking. They can cause allergies and respiratory problems.
The presence of excessive moisture can also have a negative effect on the quality of air. Mold and mildew can grow in humid air, which can cause respiratory problems. Monitoring humidity and keeping the moisture at a minimum is crucial to avoid these problems. The best way to accomplish this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, cleaning furniture and bedding and using the dehumidifier or humidifier when required based on readings from hygrometers.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ It can also increase comfort in your home. A home with high levels of air pollutants for instance, may smell musty. It can also cause irritation to the eyes, itchy skin and a snoring feeling. Installing an air purifier as well as maintaining the HVAC system can help to keep these issues from happening. Also, ensure that you open windows and doors for ventilation when needed.
Poor air quality can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating, and a general feeling of ill-health. Although these symptoms may resolve themselves after leaving a space, prolonged exposure can worsen existing health issues and may lead to serious illness.
Ventilation is the primary factor that affects IAQ. This can be influenced by the weather, occupancy rates, and the design of the building. But, a few simple steps can be taken to improve IAQ, including introduction of plants into the house, opening windows and doors as much as is possible and making sure that the HVAC system is working properly. For those who would like to take a more thorough approach, it is suggested to speak with a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are great at filtering out biological pollutants such as molds, bacteria pollen, pet dander, and mold. However, they do not remove smoke particles. The tiny particles that make up wildfire smoke pose a risk and easily get into your nose, eyes and throat, which can cause symptoms like burning eyes or itchy eyes, congestion, a runny nose and coughing. They can also irritate the lungs and worsen the severity of heart and lung problems. The tiny particles of smoke can clog your lung, triggering a range of health effects, including aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your heart and lungs.
The smoke that has blanketed New York City this week has been caused by forest fires in Canada and is causing dangerous air quality conditions across a large portion of the northern US and southern Canada. The dense smoky fog reduces visibility and may cause respiratory stress to anyone who is required to be outside.
Unfortunately there is no way to completely stop smoke from entering your business or home through doors and windows particularly older homes with many drafts and cracks. You can make steps to decrease the amount of smoke that enters your home or business.
Keep all doors and windows closed when it is smoky outside. This can cut down on the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30 percent. If possible, place wet towels on the door frames and cracks to stop the movement of smoky air into your home or business.
If your HVAC system has a recirculation mode, be sure to switch off the recirculation mode during smoke conditions. This will allow your HVAC system to take the smokey indoor air to the outside, rather than returning it. If you have ducts within your building which connect to areas that can produce high concentrations of contaminants, such as attached parking garages and loading docks, make sure that those ducts are separate from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends that you change your HVAC filters more often during smokey conditions in order to ensure that they are removing contaminants from indoor air. Select a filter with an efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or more, since these filters are designed to eliminate the smoke and other gaseous air contaminants.
Supercooling
In recent times, supercooling has become a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based on the idea that electricity prices are different at different times of the day. Most power companies offer “time of use” plans that offer different peak and offpeak rates. Supercooling lets homeowners pre-cool their homes at off-peak hours so they don’t need to run their air conditioners during the high-cost summer peak times.
This requires a thermostat that can adjust automatically. However homeowners should examine their usage patterns for electricity to determine when their air conditioner will be most cost-effective. Many people save about 25% or more on their energy bills through this method.
To cool the house, the homeowner should set their AC at lower temperatures the next morning and maintain it for a few hours. This cools the home’s walls furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures as well as the air inside. When peak energy-cost times arrive the homeowner cranks the air conditioner up and runs it until it shuts off for a few hours.
This method works because cooling isn’t just about keeping the air inside the house cool. It’s also about stopping heat from entering the home through windows, doors and other leak points. This is why homeowners must ensure that their home is insulated and make sure to insulate any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to cover windows to block the sun, particularly in areas that get direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. It is also important to make sure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to stop air from escaping when cooling cycles occur. They should also think about installing smart thermostats to help them remember when to start and stop cooling. This makes it easier for homeowners to keep their energy costs low and not worry about forgetting to turn the system off or on.
