Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Cooling and air conditioning are one of the most significant inventions of modern history. They were instrumental in making summer blockbusters, wartime planes and supplies possible.
Cooling, however, puts enormous strain on the electricity system and generates massive quantities of pollution. This particular IEA report raises awareness about the impact of this demand, and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Efficiency in energy is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new cooling system. Making the switch to a more efficient air conditioner will help you save on energy costs and also reduce environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated using a variety of energy efficiency ratings, including SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings show how much an air conditioner can cool using a specific amount of electricity. The higher the rating is, the more efficient the unit. You can find the SEER rating of a system on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” online.
When looking for a new air conditioner, choose one with a high rating. This rating reveals how efficiently the unit performs in normal conditions. A higher SEER rating could reduce the cost of energy and consumption if you are replacing an older model.
Other factors can impact energy efficiency in air conditioning systems, too. For instance, high indoor humidity levels as well as a lack of maintenance and duct leaks can all make your system more efficient and consume more energy. Maintaining your system with regular maintenance and sealing duct leaks are easy ways to improve the efficiency of your system.
Commercial cooling systems are also subject to energy efficiency concerns. They typically use an array of packaged or split compressors with huge pipes to distribute cooling throughout the building. They may also have steam systems which require specialized maintenance to keep the pipes from becoming blocked.
Many of these systems can also be controlled by an Building Automation System, which integrates the cooling and heating systems into a single central system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning suggestions that usually have quick paybacks and incentives for implementation.
Energy efficiency in air conditioning and cooling is a major component of global efforts to mitigate climate change. In the end, we must ensure that manufacturers bring super-efficient cooling equipment to market, and that consumers demand them. In the meantime we can take additional steps to cut down on 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 time in buildings. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to improve IAQ that can help be a solution to common ailments like asthma, allergies, and fatigue.
Particulate matter and volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most frequent sources of pollution in modern homes and office buildings. These pollutants are released into the air through many different activities, including cooking, cleaning, and smoking, and they could cause respiratory problems as well as allergic reactions.
The high levels of humidity can also create destruction on the air quality. Mildew and mold can thrive in moist air, which can lead to respiratory problems. To prevent this from happening, it is important to keep an eye on humidity levels and keep the moisture level at a low level. This can be accomplished by regularly vacuuming and dusting, cleaning bedding, furniture and using a dehumidifier or humidifier using a humidity gauge.
Apart from the obvious health benefits, improving IAQ can increase comfort in the home. A home with high levels of air pollution for instance, may smell musty. It can also cause irritated or itchy eyes and a swollen sensation. Installing an air purifier and maintaining the HVAC system can help to keep these issues from happening. Also, ensure that you open doors and windows for ventilation whenever you need to.
The signs of poor air quality can be a variety of symptoms and include headaches, difficulty concentrating, and even general malaise. The symptoms can resolve after leaving the space however prolonged exposure to poor air quality could exacerbate existing health issues or even trigger serious illnesses.
Ventilation is the most important factor that affects IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rates, as well as the design of the structure. There are a few easy ways to improve IAQ. This includes introducing plants in the home, opening the windows and doors whenever possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is working properly. If you’d prefer to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is suggested to consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are effective at removing biological contaminants like bacteria, molds, pet dander and pollen. However they are not able to remove smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires is a source of microscopic particles that can cause symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congested nasal, runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and worsen chronic lung and heart conditions. Smoke particles can trigger a variety health effects like bronchitis, as well as aggravation of asthma.
The smoke blanketing New York City this week is the result of forest fires in Canada, and it is causing dangerous air quality conditions across a large portion of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick smoky haze decreases visibility and can cause respiratory stress for anyone who must be outdoors.
There is no way to prevent smoke from entering your home through your windows and doors, especially in older homes with many cracks and drafts. However you can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke that enters your home or business.
Close all doors and windows when it’s smoky. This will reduce the amount of smoky air by 30 percent. Place wet towels in the cracks of door frames and around them to stop the flow of smoky air.
If your HVAC system has a recirculation mode, be sure to switch it off during smoky conditions. This will allow the system eliminate the smoke outside rather than recirculating it inside. If you have ducts within your building that connect to areas that can generate high levels of contaminants, such as parking garages with attached loading docks, be sure to have those ducts separate from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more frequently during smokey conditions to ensure that they are effective in eliminating the toxins from the air inside. Choose a filter that has a minimum reporting value (MERV) that is 13 or more. These filters are designed to remove the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has been a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based on the notion that electricity prices are different at different times of the day. In reality, the majority of power companies offer “time-of-use” plans that offer different peak and off-peak rates. Supercooling lets homeowners pre-cool their homes at off-peak hours so they don’t have to run their air conditioners during high-cost summer peak times.
This method requires an automated thermostat that can be programmed. However even with this, homeowners must be aware of and examine their electricity usage patterns and figure out the most cost-effective time to run their air cooling system. This could save you up to 25 percent off your energy bill.
To make the house super cool homeowners, they set their air conditioner to lower temperatures in the morning, and then keeps it at the same setting for a few hours. This cools the walls furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures, as well as the interior air. When peak energy-cost hours arrive the homeowner, he or she turns the air conditioner up and runs it until it is turned off for several hours again.
This method works because cooling isn’t only about making the air inside the house cool. It is essential to stop heat from getting into your home through doors, windows and other leaky areas. This is why homeowners must ensure that their home is properly sealed and make sure to insulate any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to make use of window shades to block out sun, particularly in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. It is also important to make sure that all windows and doors are tightly sealed to prevent air from getting out during cooling cycles. They should also think about using smart thermostats to help them remember when to begin and stop cooling. This allows homeowners to reduce their energy bills without worrying about forgetting when to turn off or on the system.