Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Cooling and air conditioning are one of the most important inventions in modern history. They made summer blockbusters, wartime planes and other supplies possible.
Cooling, however, places enormous strain on the electricity system and produces huge amounts of pollution. This special IEA report aims to raise awareness of the negative impact of this demand and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting a new cooling system energy efficiency is a crucial aspect. Making the switch to a more efficient air conditioner will help you save on energy bills and reduce environmental impact. The energy efficiency of air conditioners is rated in several ways such as SEER and EER. These ratings indicate how the air conditioner is able to cool using a specific amount of electricity. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit is. The SEER rating of a system can be found on the yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
If you are in the market for a new air conditioner look for one that has a high rating. This rating indicates how the unit performs in normal conditions during a particular season. If you’re replacing a model that’s older with a higher SEER rating will significantly reduce your energy use and costs.
Air conditioning systems can be affected by other causes too. For instance high levels of humidity in the indoor, lack of maintenance, and duct leaks can all make your system more efficient and consume more energy. Regular maintenance and sealing of leaks in the ducts are a simple way to increase the efficiency of your system.
Large commercial cooling systems have their own energy efficiency concerns, too. They usually use a combination of split or packaged compressors that have huge pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. They might also have steam systems that require special maintenance to ensure that the pipes do not become blocked.
A lot of these huge systems can also be controlled by a Building Automation System, which integrates the cooling and heating systems into a single central system. Verde has assisted clients in optimizing the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning suggestions that usually offer quick paybacks as well as incentives for their implementation.
The global effort to curb the impact of climate change is largely dependent on the efficiency of cooling and air conditioning. Ultimately, we need to ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling appliances to market, and that consumers want these appliances. In the meantime, there are a variety of steps we can take to help cut our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A lot of people spend the majority of their lives in buildings, and these structures could cause serious health risks if the indoor air quality is not as good. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to improve IAQ, which can prevent common problems such as asthma or allergies, as well as fatigue.
Particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide are three of the most frequent sources of pollution in modern office and home buildings. These pollutants can be released into the atmosphere by a number of activities like cooking, cleaning and smoking. They can cause allergies and respiratory issues.
High levels of humidity can also create havoc on air quality. Mildew and mold can thrive in humid air, which can lead to respiratory problems. To avoid these issues it is crucial to monitor humidity and keep the moisture level at a lower level. The best method to do this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, washing bedding and furniture and utilizing an air dehumidifier and humidifier if required based on readings from hygrometers.
In addition to the obvious health benefits in improving IAQ can increase comfort in homes. For instance, a house with a lot of air pollution can turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also cause irritation or itchy eyes and a swollen sensation. These issues can be avoided by installing an air purifier, maintaining the HVAC system, and making sure that doors and windows are open for ventilation as required.
The signs of poor air quality can be a variety of symptoms and include headaches, difficulty concentrating, and even a general feeling of malaise. These symptoms may improve after leaving the space, but prolonged exposure to poor air quality can worsen existing health conditions or even cause serious illnesses.
Ventilation is the main factor that impacts IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rates, and also the design of the structure. There are a few easy ways to improve IAQ. This includes introducing plants in the home, opening doors and windows whenever possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is working properly. If you’d like to take a more thorough approach, it is suggested to consult a Comfort Specialist about an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Central air conditioning systems are effective at filtering out biological pollutants such as molds, bacteria, pet dander and pollen. However they cannot remove smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires contains microscopic particles that can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eye congestion, runny nose, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and worsen chronic lung and heart conditions. The tiny particles of smoke can get stuck in your lung, triggering a range of health effects, including worsened asthma, bronchitis and damage to your heart and lungs.
The smoke that has blanketed New York City this week was caused by forest fires in Canada, and it is causing hazardous air quality conditions across a large portion of the northern US and southern Canada. The dense smoky fog reduces visibility and can cause respiratory stress to anyone who is required to be outdoors.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent smoky air from entering your home or business through windows and doors especially older houses with many drafts and cracks. However you can take steps to minimize the amount of smoke entering your home or business.
Keep all doors and windows shut when it’s smokey 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 reduce the flow of smoky air.
If your HVAC system has a recirculation mode, be sure to switch it off during smoky conditions. This allows the system to eliminate the smoke outside rather than recirculating it inside. If your structure has ducts that connect to areas where contamination is likely to be high, such as loading docks or parking garages it is important to ensure that the ducts are separated from the rest.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more frequently when you are in a smokey environment to ensure that they are eliminating contaminants from indoor air. Choose a filter that has the minimum reporting value (MERV) that is 13 or higher. These filters are designed to eliminate gaseous air pollution and smoke.
Supercooling
In recent times, supercooling has become an energy-saving method that is popular. It’s based off the idea that electricity prices vary at different times of the day. The majority of electricity companies offer “time of use” plans that offer different peak and offpeak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners cool their homes ahead of off-peak hours, meaning they don’t have to run air conditioners during the expensive summer peak hours.
This requires a thermostat that is able to adjust itself automatically. Even so homeowners must take the time to analyze their electricity usage patterns to determine when their air conditioner is most cost-effective. Many homeowners save around 25% or more on their energy bills through this method.
To cool the house homeowners should set their air conditioner at an lower temperature the following morning and maintain it for a few hours. This cools down the floors, walls, furniture, and fixtures of the house as well as the air inside. When energy costs are high the homeowner, he or she will turn the air conditioning up and leave it on until the next time it’s turned off.
This strategy works because cooling isn’t only about keeping the air inside the home cool. It’s important to prevent heat from entering your home through windows, doors and other points that leak. This is why homeowners must ensure that their home is constructed and insulated, and also make sure to insulate any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use blinds to block out sun, especially those that get bright direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Also, they should make sure that all doors and windows are sealed tightly to prevent air from escape during cooling cycles. Additionally, they should think about using smart thermostats to assist them in ensuring that they start and stop cooling at the best times of the day. This will allow homeowners to keep their energy bills at a minimum without having to remember to turn off the system or on.