Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are one of the most important inventions in modern history. They made summer blockbusters and wartime planes and supplies possible.
However, cooling puts a large demand on electric systems and creates massive quantities of pollution. This special IEA Report raises awareness of the impact and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing an air conditioner energy efficiency is an important factor. Upgrade to an efficient air conditioner and you will reduce your energy costs and also reduce your environmental impact. Air conditioning units 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 using a certain amount of electricity. The higher the rating is, the more efficient the unit is. The SEER rating of a system can be found on its yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
If you are in the market for a new air conditioner pick one with an A+ rating. This rating reveals how efficiently the unit will perform during the course of a season in normal conditions. If you’re replacing a model that’s older with a higher SEER rating will drastically reduce your energy use and costs.
Air conditioning systems can be affected by other elements too. For instance, high indoor humidity levels, lack of maintenance, and duct leaks could all make your system work harder and consume more energy. Making sure you are keeping up with routine maintenance and sealing duct leaks are easy ways to improve the efficiency of your system.
Large commercial cooling systems have their own energy efficiency concerns also. They usually make use of an array of split or packaged compressors with huge pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. These systems could also incorporate steam systems that require specific maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from becoming blocked.
Additionally the majority of these massive systems are controlled by a system known as a Building Automation System (BAS) that integrates all heating and cooling systems within the building into one central system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems by providing simple retrocommissioning suggestions that usually provide quick paybacks and incentives for implementation.
Energy efficiency in air conditioning and cooling is a key component of global efforts to reduce climate change. In the end, we must ensure that manufacturers bring highly efficient cooling equipment to market, and consumers are demanding these appliances. In the meantime, there are other steps we can take to help cut our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be an important health issue for many people who spend a significant portion of their time in buildings. There are many ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems such as asthma, allergies, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three most common sources for pollution in modern workplaces and homes. These pollutants are released into the air due to a variety of activities, including cooking, cleaning, or smoking, and they can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
The presence of excessive moisture can also have a negative impact on the quality of air. Moist air encourages the growth of mildew and mold that can trigger respiratory issues. Monitoring humidity and keeping the moisture level at a minimum is crucial to avoid these problems. This can be achieved by regularly vacuuming and dusting, cleaning bedding, soft furnishings and making use of a humidifier or dehumidifier based on the humidifier or hygrometer.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ in your home, it can increase comfort in your home. For instance, a home with high air pollutants can become musty and smell unpleasant. It can also cause irritated or itchy eyes as well as a stuffy sensation. These issues can be prevented by installing an air purifier, keeping the HVAC system, and ensuring that windows and doors are opened to allow air circulation when needed.
Poor air quality can cause headaches, concentration problems, and a general feeling of ill-health. While these symptoms will disappear after leaving the area, prolonged exposure could exacerbate existing health conditions and may lead to serious health issues.
The most important factor that influences IAQ is the rate that fresh air replaces the old air, a process referred to as ventilation. This is influenced by the weather, occupancy rates, and the design of the structure. However, simple steps can be taken to enhance IAQ, including introducing plants into the home, opening windows and doors as much as possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is operating correctly. For those who would prefer to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is suggested to consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are excellent in removing biological pollutants like molds, bacteria, pet dander and pollen. However they cannot remove smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires contains microscopic particles which can cause symptoms like burning or itchy eyes, congestion, runny nasal, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to the lungs and worsen heart and lung conditions that are chronic. The tiny particles of smoke can get stuck in your lung, triggering a range of health effects such as aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your lung and heart.
The smoke that blanketed New York City last week was caused by forest fires burning in Canada. It is also causing dangerous air quality conditions throughout much of the south and north of the United States. The thick smoke haze can reduce visibility and creates breathing problems for those who is outdoors.
Unfortunately there is no way to completely stop smoky air from getting into your business or home through doors and windows, especially older homes with lots of drafts and cracks. However you can make steps to limit the amount of smoke entering your home or business.
Keep all windows and doors closed when it’s smoky outside. This can cut down on the amount of smoke from outside air by 30 percent. Put wet towels in cracks and around door frames to reduce the flow of smoky air.
If your HVAC system has an recirculation feature, make sure you switch it off when the air is smokey. This will allow the system exhaust the smoky air directly outside instead of the air being recirculated inside. If your building has ducts that connect to areas where contamination is likely to be high, such as parking garages or loading docks it is important to ensure that these ducts are isolated from the rest.
The EPA suggests changing your HVAC filters more often in the event of smoke to ensure that they are effective in eliminating the toxins from the air inside. Select a filter with an MERV that is at least (MERV) that is 13 or more. These filters are designed to get rid of smoke and gaseous air pollution.
Supercooling
In recent times, supercooling has become a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based on the idea that electricity isn’t priced the same amount at any time of the day. Most energy companies offer “time of use” plans with different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling allows homeowners to cool their homes ahead of off-peak hours, meaning they don’t require air conditioners during the expensive summer peak hours.
This requires a programmable thermostat that can adjust automatically. However homeowners must examine their electricity usage patterns to determine when their air conditioner will be the most efficient. Many people save about 25% or more on their energy bills by using this method.
To supercool, the homeowner sets their air conditioner to a lower temperature in the morning, and then keeps it at the same setting for a couple of hours. This cools the walls furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures, as well as the air inside. Then, when the peak energy-cost hours arrive, the homeowner turns the air conditioning on and runs it until it’s off for several hours again.
This method works because cooling isn’t only about making the air inside the house cool. It’s also about stopping heat from entering the home through doors, windows and other leak points. This is why homeowners should ensure that their homes are properly insulated and insulate any leaky or drafty areas. Also, they should cover windows to block out the sunlight, particularly in areas that get direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. They should also ensure that all doors and windows are sealed tightly to prevent air from getting out during cooling cycles occur. Additionally, they should think about using smart thermostats that can help them remember to start and stop cooling at the best times of the day. This allows homeowners to keep their energy bills low and not worry about forgetting to turn the system off or on.