Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is among the most important inventions of modern history. They made summer movie blockbusters possible and helped boost production for wartime supplies and airplanes.
Cooling, however, puts an enormous strain on the power system and creates huge amounts of pollution. This particular IEA Report raises awareness of the impact and suggests solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing an air conditioner energy efficiency is an important factor. Making the switch to a more efficient air cooling system will lower your energy costs and also reduce environmental impacts. Air conditioning units are rated with several different energy efficiency ratings, including SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings indicate how much a unit is able to cool for a given amount of power consumed. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. The SEER rating of the system can be found on its yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
When shopping for a new air conditioning unit, look for one with a good SEER rating. This rating indicates how efficiently the unit performs during the course of a season in normal conditions. If you’re replacing an older model with a higher SEER rating, it will greatly reduce your energy consumption and costs.
Other factors can impact the efficiency of air conditioning systems too. For instance high levels of humidity in the indoor as well as a lack of maintenance and duct leaks can make your system work harder and use more energy. Making sure you are keeping up with routine maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are simple steps to increase your system’s energy efficiency.
Commercial cooling systems are also subject to energy efficiency issues. These systems often utilize a combination of split or packaged compressors with huge pipe networks to deliver cooling throughout the building. They might also have steam systems that require special maintenance to prevent the pipes from becoming blocked.
In addition the majority of these massive systems are controlled by a system known as a Building Automation System (BAS) which connects all cooling and heating systems in the building into one central system. Verde has been able to improve the performance of these systems by providing retrocommissioning strategies that offer quick paybacks.
Energy efficiency in cooling and air conditioning is a key element of global efforts to mitigate climate change. 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 ways we can help cut 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 cause serious health risks in the event that the indoor air quality is not as good. There are many ways to improve IAQ and avoid common ailments like allergies, asthma fatigue, asthma, etc.
Particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three most frequent pollutants in modern homes and offices. These pollutants are released into the air through various activities, including cooking, cleaning, and smoking cigarettes, and can lead to respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
A high level of moisture may also have a negative effect on the quality of air. Mold and mildew can grow in moist air, which can cause respiratory problems. Monitoring humidity and keeping the moisture low is key to preventing these issues. This can be achieved by regularly cleaning and vacuuming, washing bedding, cushions and using a dehumidifier or humidifier based on the hygrometer.
Aside from the obvious health benefits in improving IAQ can increase comfort in the home. A home that has high levels of air pollutants, for example, can smell musty. It can also trigger irritated eyes or itchy eyes, as well as a stuffy sensation. This can be addressed by installing an air purifier, maintaining the HVAC system, and making sure that doors and windows are open for ventilation as needed.
The symptoms of poor air quality are varied and can include headaches, difficulty concentrating, and even general feeling of malaise. While these symptoms can disappear after leaving the space, prolonged exposure can worsen existing health issues and can even result in serious illness.
The most important factor that influences IAQ is the speed at which fresh air replaces the old air, a process known as ventilation. This can be affected by the weather, room occupancy rates, as well as the design of the structure. There are a few easy methods to improve IAQ. This can be done by introducing plants in the house, opening the windows and doors whenever feasible, and making sure that the HVAC system works correctly. If you’d prefer an even more comprehensive approach, it is recommended to consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are effective in removing biological pollutants such as bacteria, molds pollen, pet dander and mold. However, they do not remove smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires is a source of microscopic particles which can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eye congestion, runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to the lungs and exacerbate heart and lung conditions that are chronic. Smoke particles can trigger a variety health effects, including bronchitis and aggravated asthma.
The smoke blanketing New York City this week was caused by forest fires in Canada, and it is causing dangerous air quality conditions across much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick smoky fog can reduce visibility and can cause respiratory stress to anyone who is required to be outside.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely block smoke from entering your business or home through windows and doors particularly older homes with lots of drafts and cracks. However you can make steps to limit the amount of smoke entering your building.
Close all windows and doors when it’s smoky. This can cut down on the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30%. If possible, place wet towels on the door frames and cracks in order to slow the flow of smoke into your business or home.
If your HVAC system features a recirculation function, make sure to turn it off when the air is smokey. This will allow your HVAC system to exhaust the smoky indoor air outside instead of recirculating it. If your building has ducts that connect to areas where contaminants are likely to be high, like loading docks or parking garages it is important to ensure that these ducts are kept away from the rest.
The EPA recommends that you change your HVAC filters more often during smokey conditions in order to ensure that they are eliminating contaminants from indoor air. Select a filter that has a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or greater, as these filters are specifically designed to remove smoke and other gaseous air pollutants.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has become a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based on the notion that electricity isn’t priced the same amount at any given time of the day. In fact, many electricity companies offer “time-of-use” plans that provide different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling lets homeowners pre-cool their homes in off-peak hours so they don’t have to run their air conditioners during high-cost summer peak times.
This method requires a thermostat with programmable settings that can adjust automatically. Even with this homeowners must take the time to analyze their patterns of usage of electricity to determine when their air conditioner will be the most efficient. This can save you up to 25 percent on your energy bills.
To keep the home cool homeowners should set their air conditioner at a lower temperature the next morning and then 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 the energy costs are at their peak, the homeowner will increase the temperature of the air conditioner and leave it on until the next time it’s turned off.
This method works because cooling isn’t only about making the air inside the home cool. It’s also about stopping heat from entering the home through doors, windows and other leak points. It’s important that homeowners double-check the insulation of their home and cover any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use window coverings to block the sun’s rays particularly in areas that get bright direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. They should also make sure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to prevent air from escaping when cooling cycles. They should also think about using smart thermostats to help them remember when to begin and stop cooling. This makes it easier for homeowners to keep their energy bills at a minimum without having to remember to turn off the system or on.