Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is among the most important inventions of modern history. They were instrumental in making wartime and summer blockbusters and other supplies possible.
However cooling puts a huge burden on electrical systems and generates huge quantities of pollution. This special IEA report aims to raise awareness of the negative impact of this demand, and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is among the most important aspects when selecting a new cooling unit. Upgrade to an efficient air conditioner and reduce your energy costs and reduce the environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated using a variety of energy efficiency ratings, including SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings tell you how the air conditioner is able to cool using a certain amount of electricity. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit. You can find the 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 for the first time look for one that has an A+ rating. This rating indicates how efficiently the unit performs during the course of a season in normal conditions. A higher SEER rating will lower the cost of energy and consumption in the event that you replace an older model.
Other factors can impact energy efficiency in air conditioning systems, too. For instance high levels of humidity in the indoor and a lack of maintenance and duct leaks could all make your system more efficient and consume more energy. Maintaining your system with regular maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are simple steps to increase your system’s energy efficiency.
Commercial cooling systems are also susceptible to concerns about energy efficiency. These systems make use of a combination of split- or packaged compressors, as well as huge pipe networks to provide cooling throughout the building. They might also have steam systems that require special maintenance to prevent the pipes from becoming blocked.
Additionally to that, many of these huge systems are controlled by a system called a Building Automation System (BAS), which integrates all cooling and heating systems within the building into one centralized system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning guidelines that typically provide quick paybacks and incentives to implement.
The global effort to reduce climate change is heavily dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air-conditioning. Ultimately, we need to ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling appliances to market, and that consumers are demanding them. In the meantime we can also take other steps to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be a serious health concern for many people who spend a significant portion of their lives inside buildings. There are many ways to improve IAQ and prevent common issues like asthma, allergies fatigue, allergies, etc.
Particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three most frequent pollutants in modern offices and homes. These pollutants are released into the air by various activities, like cooking, cleaning, or smoking cigarettes, and can cause respiratory problems as well as allergic reactions.
The high levels of humidity can also wreak havoc on air quality. Moist air encourages the growth of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory issues. To avoid these issues it is crucial to monitor humidity and ensure that the moisture level remains at a low level. The best way to achieve this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, cleaning bedding and soft furnishings and utilizing an air dehumidifier and humidifier if required based on readings from hygrometers.
Aside from the obvious health benefits in improving IAQ can enhance the comfort in homes. For instance, a house that is contaminated by air pollutants could turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also cause irritated or itchy eyes as well as a stuffy sensation. Installing an air purifier and keeping the HVAC system can help to avoid these issues. Also, make sure that you open windows and doors to let air flow in when needed.
The symptoms of poor air quality can be varied and include headaches, difficulties in concentrating, or a general malaise. Although these symptoms may disappear after leaving the space, prolonged exposure can exacerbate existing health conditions and may lead to serious illness.
Ventilation is the primary factor that impacts IAQ. This is affected by the weather conditions, the room occupancy rate, and the design. However, simple steps can be taken to enhance IAQ by introduction of plants into the home, opening windows and doors whenever possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is functioning properly. If you’re looking to take it a further, we suggest you speak with a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Central air conditioning systems are effective in removing biological pollutants like molds, bacteria, pet dander and pollen. However, they do not remove smoke particles. Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles which can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eyes congestion, runny nose, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and cause worsening of chronic lung and heart problems. The fine particles that are invisible in smoke can lodge deep into your lung, triggering a range of health effects, including worsened asthma, bronchitis and damage to your lungs and heart.
The smoke blanketing New York City this week was caused by forest fires in Canada and has created hazardous air quality conditions across much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick fog of smoke reduces visibility and can cause respiratory distress to anyone who is required to be outdoors.
There is no way to keep smoke from entering your home through windows and doors, especially in older homes with a lot of drafts and cracks. You can take steps to lessen the amount of smoke entering your building.
Keep all windows and doors closed when it’s smoky outside. This can cut the amount of smoke by 30 percent. Place wet towels in the cracks around door frames and in the corners to stop the flow of smoky air.
If your HVAC system is in a recirculation mode, be sure to turn it off during smoky conditions. This allows your HVAC system to exhaust the smoky indoor air outside instead of the air being recirculated. If you have ducts within your building connected to areas that can have high concentrations of contaminants, such as attached parking garages and loading docks, be sure to have those ducts independently isolated from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more frequently when you are in a smokey environment to ensure that they are eliminating pollutants from the air in your home. Choose a filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or higher, as these filters are specifically designed to remove the smoke and other gaseous air pollutants.
Supercooling
Supercooling is an energy-saving trend that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s based on the notion that electricity costs different amounts at different times of the day. In fact, most energy companies offer “time-of-use” plans that feature different off-peak and peak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners to pre-cool their homes in off-peak hours, so they don’t need to run their air conditioners during the high-cost summer peak hours.
This requires a programmable thermostat that is able to adjust itself automatically. However homeowners must take the time to analyze their usage patterns for electricity to determine the time when their air conditioner is most cost-effective. This method could save you as much as 25% on your energy bills.
To keep the home cool, the homeowner sets their air conditioner to lower temperatures in the morning and keeps it at that setting for a couple of hours. This cools the floors, walls furniture, fixtures, and furniture of the home as well as the air inside. When the energy costs are at their peak the homeowner, he or she will increase the temperature of the air conditioner, and leave it running until the next time it is turned off.
This method is efficient because it doesn’t only mean making the air inside the home cooler. It is essential to stop heat from getting into your home through your windows, doors, and other leaky points. That’s why homeowners should double-check that their homes are properly constructed and insulated, and also make sure to insulate any drafty or leaky areas. They should also cover windows to block out sunlight, particularly in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Also, they should make sure that all doors and windows are sealed to prevent air from getting out during cooling cycles. They should also consider using smart thermostats to assist them remember when to begin and stop cooling. This will allow homeowners to cut down on their energy bills without worrying about forgetting to turn off or on the system.
