Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are one of the most important inventions of modern history. They made summer movie blockbusters possible and helped boost production for wartime supplies as well as airplanes.
However, cooling puts a large strain on electricity systems and generates huge quantities of pollution. This particular IEA report aims to raise awareness of the effects of this demand, and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new cooling system. Upgrading to an efficient air cooling system will lower your energy costs and also reduce the environmental impact. The energy efficiency of air conditioning units is assessed in various ways that include SEER and EER. These ratings tell you how much an air conditioner can cool for a given amount of electricity consumed. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. You can find a SEER rating of a system on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” on the internet.
If you are in the market for an air conditioner for the first time, choose one with a high rating. This rating indicates how efficiently the unit performs in normal conditions. If you’re replacing a model that’s older with a higher SEER rating will drastically reduce your energy consumption and cost.
Other things can influence the efficiency of air conditioning systems, too. Insufficient humidity in the indoors, lack of maintenance and duct leaks for instance, can make your system be more demanding and consume more energy. Making sure you are keeping up with routine maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are easy steps to improve the efficiency of your system.
Large commercial cooling systems have their own energy efficiency concerns as well. They typically utilize the combination of split or packaged compressors and massive pipes to distribute cooling throughout the building. These systems could also incorporate steam systems that require special maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from getting blocked.
A lot of these huge systems can also be controlled by an Building Automation System, which integrates the heating and cooling systems into a single centralized system. Verde has helped optimize the efficiency of the systems by offering retrocommissioning suggestions that have rapid paybacks.
Energy efficiency in cooling and air conditioning is a major component of global efforts to reduce climate change. In the end, we must ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling devices to market, and that consumers want these appliances. In the meantime, there are other actions we can take to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A lot of people spend the majority of their lives in structures, and these structures can pose significant health threats in the event that the indoor air quality is poor. There are many ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems such as asthma, allergies, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter as well as volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most prevalent pollutants in modern homes and office buildings. These pollutants can be released into the air through a variety of activities such as cleaning, cooking, and smoking. They can cause allergies and respiratory problems.
A high level of humidity can also create havoc on the quality of air. Mold and mildew can grow in humid air, which can lead to respiratory issues. To prevent this from happening it is crucial to keep an eye on humidity levels and ensure that the moisture level remains at a low level. This can be achieved by regularly vacuuming and dusting, washing bedding, cushions and making use of a humidifier or dehumidifier based on the humidity gauge.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ in your home, it can increase the comfort in your home. A home that has high levels of air pollution such as radon, for instance, can smell musty. It can also trigger irritated or itchy eyes as well as a stuffy sensation. Installing an air purifier and maintaining the HVAC system can help keep these issues from happening. Also, ensure that you open windows and doors for ventilation whenever you need to.
The symptoms of poor air quality can be varied and include headaches, difficulty concentrating, and even general feeling of malaise. Although these symptoms may resolve themselves after leaving a space, prolonged exposure to air pollution can exacerbate existing health conditions and could lead to serious illness.
The most important factor that influences IAQ is the speed at which fresh air replaces old air, a process referred to as ventilation. This is influenced by the weather, occupancy rates, and also the design of the structure. But, a few simple steps can be taken to enhance IAQ, including introducing plants into the house and opening doors and windows as much as is possible and making sure that the HVAC system is operating properly. For those who would prefer to take a more thorough approach, it is suggested to speak with a Comfort Specialist about an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
While heat pumps and central air conditioners do a great job of filtering out most biological pollutants, such as bacteria, molds and pet dander pollen, they are not specifically designed to remove smoke particles. The tiny particles that make up wildfire smoke pose a risk and can easily get into your eyes, nose, and throat which can cause symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congestion, runny nose, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to the lungs and cause worsening of heart and lung conditions that are chronic. The invisible fine particles in smoke can clog your lung, triggering a myriad of health issues, including worsened asthma, bronchitis and damage to your lungs and heart.
The haze that covered New York City last week was caused by forest fires that are burning in Canada. It is also causing dangerous air quality conditions throughout much of the south and north of the United States. The thick smoky haze decreases visibility and can cause breathing difficulties for those who is outdoors.
Unfortunately there is no way to completely stop smoky air from entering your home or business through doors and windows especially older houses with lots of drafts and cracks. However you can make steps to limit the amount of smoke entering your building.
Keep all windows and doors closed when it is smoky outside. This can cut down on the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30%. If you can, place damp towels on the door frames and cracks to slow the movement of smoky air into your home or business.
If your HVAC system features a recirculation function, make sure you turn it off when the air is smoky. This will allow your HVAC system to take the smokey indoor air to the outside instead of recirculating it. If your building has ducts connecting to areas where contaminants are likely to be high, for instance parking garages or loading docks You should make sure 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. Select a filter with a minimum reporting value (MERV) which is 13 or more. These filters are designed to eliminate the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has become a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based on the idea that electricity costs different amounts at different times of the day. The majority of power companies offer “time of use” plans that offer different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling lets homeowners pre-cool their homes at off-peak hours, so they don’t have to use their air conditioners during high-cost summer peak hours.
This method requires an automatic thermostat that can be programmed. Even with this homeowners must examine their usage patterns for electricity to determine the time when their air conditioner is most cost-effective. Many homeowners save around 25% or more on their energy bills by using this method.
To keep the home cool homeowners should set their AC to an lower temperature the following morning and keep it there for a few more hours. This cools the walls, floors, furniture, and fixtures of the home as well as the air inside. When peak energy-cost hours hit the homeowner cranks the air conditioning on and runs it until it is turned off for several hours again.
This method is effective because cooling isn’t just about keeping the air inside the home cool. It’s important to prevent heat from entering your home through windows, doors and other leaky areas. 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. Also, they should consider using window shades to block out sun, especially those that get bright direct sunlight in the hottest hours of the daytime. It is also important to ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to prevent air from getting out during cooling cycles are in progress. 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 consumption without worrying about forgetting to switch on or off the system.