Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is among the most important inventions of the modern age. They made summer blockbusters possible and also helped boost production for wartime supplies as well as airplanes.
Cooling, however puts enormous strain on the electricity system and generates massive quantities of pollution. This special IEA report raises awareness about the impact of this demand and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing a new cooling system, energy efficiency is a key aspect. Making the switch to a more efficient air conditioner will save on your energy costs and also reduce the environmental impact. Air conditioners 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 the more efficient the unit. You can find a SEER rating on the yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” online.
If you are in the market for a new air conditioner pick one with a high rating. This rating reveals how the unit performs in normal conditions in a given season. A higher SEER rating will lower your energy costs and consumption if you are replacing an older model.
Air conditioning systems can be affected by other causes too. High indoor humidity, insufficient maintenance and leaks in ducts, for instance, could all make your system be more demanding and consume more energy. Routine maintenance and sealing leaks in the ducts are a simple way to improve the efficiency of your system.
Commercial cooling systems are also subject to energy efficiency issues. These systems use a combination packaged or split-compressors and huge pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. They may also incorporate steam systems that require specialized maintenance to prevent the pipes from becoming blocked.
Many of these systems can also be controlled by the use of a Building Automation System, which integrates the cooling and heating systems into a single centralized system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning guidelines that typically have quick paybacks and incentives to implement.
The global effort to combat the effects of climate change is heavily dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air-conditioning. We need to ensure that cooling devices are efficient and that consumers are demanding these appliances. In the meantime, there are other ways we can reduce 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 can pose significant health threats if their indoor air quality is poor. There are a variety of ways to improve IAQ and avoid common ailments such as asthma, allergies fatigue, asthma, etc.
Particulate matter and volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most frequent sources of pollution in modern office and home buildings. These pollutants are released into the air by many different activities, such as cooking, cleaning, or smoking, and they can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
High levels of humidity can also wreak destruction on the air quality. The humid air encourages the development of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory problems. To prevent these issues it is essential to monitor humidity and keep the moisture level at a minimum. This can be accomplished by regularly vacuuming and dusting, cleaning bedding, soft furnishings and using a humidifier or dehumidifier that is based on the hygrometer.
Apart from the obvious health benefits in improving IAQ can improve the comfort of homes. A home that has high levels of air pollution, for example, can smell musty. It can also cause itchy skin, irritated eyes, and a stuffy feeling. 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 needed.
The symptoms of poor air quality can be varied and can include headaches, difficulty in concentrating, and general feeling of malaise. The symptoms can resolve after leaving the area, but prolonged exposure to poor air quality could exacerbate existing health issues or even trigger serious health issues.
The most important factor that influences IAQ is the rate that fresh air replaces old air, a process known as ventilation. This is affected by the weather, room occupancy rate and the design. There are simple ways to improve IAQ. This can be done by installing plants in the home, opening doors and windows whenever possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system works properly. For those who would prefer to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is recommended to speak with a Comfort Specialist about an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are excellent at removing biological pollutants such as bacteria, molds, pet dander and pollen. However they cannot remove smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires is a source of microscopic particles which can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eye congested nasal, runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and cause worsening of the severity of heart and lung problems. Smoke particles can cause a variety health effects, including bronchitis and aggravated asthma.
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 issues across large parts of the south and north of the United States. The thick smoky fog can reduce visibility and may cause respiratory stress to anyone who is required to be outdoors.
There is no way to stop smoke from getting into your home through windows and doors particularly in older homes with a lot of drafts and cracks. You can take steps to lessen the amount of smoke entering your building.
Keep all doors and windows closed when it is smoky outside. This will reduce the amount of smoky outside air by 30%. Place wet towels in the cracks of door frames and around them to reduce the flow of smoke.
If your HVAC system has the recirculation feature, make sure to turn off the recirculation mode during smoke conditions. This allows your HVAC system to take the smokey indoor air to the outside, rather than returning it. If your building has ducts connecting to areas where contamination is likely to be high, for instance parking garages or loading docks it is important to ensure that these ducts are kept away from the rest.
The EPA suggests that you change your HVAC filters more often when you are in a smokey environment to ensure that they are removing toxins from indoor air. Choose a filter that has the minimum reporting value (MERV), which is 13 or higher. These filters are designed to remove the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
Supercooling is a trend to save energy that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s based on the idea that electricity prices vary at different times of the day. In fact, many power companies offer “time-of-use” plans that feature different off-peak and peak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners cool their homes in advance during off-peak hours, meaning they don’t require air conditioners during the expensive summer peak hours.
This method requires a thermostat that can adjust automatically. However homeowners should be aware of their usage patterns for electricity to determine the time when their air conditioner is the most efficient. Many homeowners save around 25% or more off their energy bills through 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 few hours. The home’s walls are cooled by the cooling furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures, as well as the air inside. When peak energy costs hit, the homeowner will increase the temperature of the air conditioner and leave it on until the next time it is shut off.
This strategy works because cooling isn’t only about keeping the air inside the home cool. It is essential to stop heat from getting into your home through your windows, doors and other leaky areas. This is why homeowners should ensure that their home is properly constructed and insulated, and also cover any drafty or leaky areas. Also, they should consider using blinds to block the sun’s rays, especially those that get bright direct sunlight in the hottest times of the day. Also it is important to ensure that all doors and windows are tightly sealed to stop 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 allows homeowners to reduce their energy bills without worrying about forgetting when to switch on or off the system.