Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is one of the most significant inventions of the modern age. They made blockbuster summer movies possible and also helped boost production for wartime supplies and airplanes.
Cooling, however puts an enormous strain on the power system and generates massive amounts of pollution. This particular IEA Report raises awareness of the effects and suggests solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting a new cooling system, energy efficiency is a crucial aspect. Upgrade to a more efficient air conditioner and save money on energy bills and also reduce the environmental impact. The energy efficiency of air conditioners is assessed in various ways, including SEER and EER. These ratings indicate how much a unit is able to cool in a given amount of power consumed. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. You can locate a SEER rating of a system on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” on the internet.
When shopping for a new air conditioning unit, look for one with a good SEER rating. This rating indicates how well the unit can perform during a season under normal conditions. A higher SEER rating will reduce your energy costs and consumption in the event that you replace an older model.
Other factors can impact the efficiency of air conditioning systems, too. For instance, high indoor humidity levels as well as a lack of maintenance and duct leaks could all make your system more efficient and use more energy. Maintaining your system with regular maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are easy steps to improve your system’s energy efficiency.
Commercial cooling systems are also susceptible to concerns about energy efficiency. These systems often utilize a combination of split or packaged compressors with huge pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. They might also include steam systems, which require specialized maintenance to ensure that the pipes do not become blocked.
Additionally the majority of these massive systems are controlled by what’s called a Building Automation System (BAS), which integrates all heating and cooling systems in the building into one central system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning guidelines that typically offer quick paybacks as well as incentives for implementation.
Energy efficiency in air conditioning and cooling is a key element of global efforts to reduce climate change. We must ensure that cooling devices are super-efficient and that consumers demand these appliances. In the meantime, there are a variety of ways we can reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is a major health risk for those who spend a significant portion of their time in buildings. There are numerous ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems like allergies, asthma fatigue, asthma, etc.
Particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three most common sources for pollution in modern offices and homes. These pollutants can be released into the atmosphere through a variety of activities like cooking, cleaning and smoking. They can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.
High levels of humidity can also create destruction on the air quality. Moist air encourages the growth of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory issues. To prevent these issues it is essential to keep an eye on humidity levels and keep the moisture level at a minimum. The best way to achieve this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, washing bedding and soft furnishings, and using an air dehumidifier and humidifier if needed based on the readings of a hygrometer.
Aside from the obvious health benefits, improving IAQ can enhance the comfort in homes. For instance, a home with high air pollutants can turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also cause irritation to eyes, itchy skin and a snoring feeling. Installing an air purifier as well as maintaining the HVAC system can help to keep these issues from happening. Also, ensure that you open your windows and doors for ventilation whenever you need to.
The signs of poor air quality can be varied and can include headaches difficulties in concentrating, or a general malaise. The symptoms can resolve after leaving the space however prolonged exposure to poor quality air could exacerbate existing health issues or even trigger serious health issues.
Ventilation is the primary factor that affects IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, room occupancy rates, and also the design of the building. But, a few simple steps can be taken to enhance IAQ by introducing plants into the home, opening windows and doors as much as is possible and making sure that the HVAC system is functioning effectively. If you’re looking to go one step further, we recommend that you consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are great at removing biological pollutants such as molds, bacteria, pet dander and pollen. However, they do not remove smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires is a source of microscopic particles that can trigger symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congestion, runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and exacerbate heart and lung conditions that are chronic. The tiny particles of smoke can lodge deep into your lung, triggering a myriad of health effects such as an increase in asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your heart and lungs.
The haze that engulfed New York City last week was caused by forest fires that are burning in Canada. It is also causing dangerous air quality conditions throughout large parts of the south and north of the United States. The thick fog of smoke reduces visibility, and can cause respiratory distress for anyone who has to be outdoors.
Unfortunately there is no way to completely stop smoke from entering your home or business through doors and windows especially older houses with many cracks and drafts. However, you can take steps to minimize the amount of smoke entering your home or business.
Keep all doors and windows closed when it’s smoky outside. This can cut the amount of smoky air by 30 percent. If you can, place damp towels around the door frames and cracks to stop the movement of smoky air into your business or home.
If your HVAC system is in the recirculation feature, make sure to switch off the recirculation mode during smoke conditions. This allows your HVAC system to take the smokey indoor air instead of recirculating it. If you have ducts within your building connected to areas that can produce high concentrations of pollutants, like parking garages that are attached to the building and loading docks, make sure that those ducts are separated from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more often in the event of smoke to ensure that they are eliminating pollutants from the air in your home. Choose a filter that has a minimum reporting value (MERV), which is 13 or higher. These filters are designed to remove the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has become an increasingly popular method of reducing energy consumption. It’s based on the idea that electricity prices are different at different times of the day. In fact, many electricity companies offer “time-of-use” plans that provide different peak and off-peak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners to pre-cool their homes in off-peak hours so they don’t have to run their air conditioners during the high-cost summer peak periods.
This requires an automatic thermostat that can be programmed. However, homeowners still need to be aware of their patterns of usage of electricity to determine the time when their air conditioner is the most efficient. This method can save you up to 25 percent on your energy bills.
To make the house super cool, the homeowner sets their AC to lower temperatures in the morning and maintains it at the same setting for a couple of hours. This cools the walls, floors, furnishings and fixtures as well as the interior air. Then, when the peak energy-cost times arrive, the homeowner turns the air conditioning on and leaves it running until it shuts off for a few hours again.
This method works 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 points that leak. It’s important that homeowners double-check their home’s insulation and insulate any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use blinds to block the sun’s rays particularly those that receive bright direct sunlight during the hottest times of the daytime. Additionally, they should make sure that all doors and windows are sealed to prevent air from getting out during cooling cycles. Also, they should consider using smart thermostats that can assist them in ensuring that they start and stop cooling at the best times of the day. This will allow homeowners to cut down on their energy costs without worrying about forgetting to turn on or off the system.