Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air cooling and conditioning is one of the most important inventions of the modern age. They made blockbuster summer movies possible and also helped boost production for wartime supplies and aircrafts.
Cooling, however, places an enormous strain on the power system and produces huge quantities of pollution. This special IEA Report raises awareness of the impact and suggests solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing the right cooling system energy efficiency is a crucial factor. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner and reduce your energy costs and also reduce the environmental impact. The energy efficiency of air conditioners is assessed in various ways that include SEER and EER. These ratings show how much an air conditioner can cool using a certain amount of electricity. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit. The SEER rating of the system can be found on its yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
When you are looking for a new air conditioning unit, look for one with a good SEER rating. This rating indicates how well the unit can perform in normal conditions. A higher SEER rating could lower the cost of energy and consumption when replacing an older model.
Other factors can affect the efficiency of energy in air conditioning systems too. Insufficient humidity in the indoors, insufficient maintenance and duct leaks for instance, can cause your system to perform more efficiently and consume more energy. Regular maintenance and sealing leaks in ducts are simple ways to increase the energy efficiency of your system.
Commercial cooling systems are also subject to energy efficiency issues. These systems make use of a combination of split- or packaged compressors, as well as huge pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. They could also have steam systems, which require specialized maintenance in order to ensure that the pipes do not become blocked.
In addition to that, many of these huge systems are controlled by a system known as a Building Automation System (BAS) that integrates all cooling and heating systems of the building into a single system. Verde has been able to improve the efficiency of the systems by offering retrocommissioning suggestions that have quick paybacks.
The global effort to curb the effects of climate change is heavily dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air conditioning. We need to ensure that cooling devices are super-efficient and that consumers demand them. In the meantime we can also take other measures to reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A lot of people spend the majority of their lives in buildings and these structures can cause serious health risks in the event that the indoor air quality is poor. There are numerous ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems like asthma, allergies, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three most common sources for pollution in modern homes and offices. These pollutants are released into the air through various activities, such as cooking, cleaning, or smoking, and they could cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
A high level of humidity can also cause havoc on the quality of air. The humid air encourages the development of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory problems. Monitoring humidity and keeping the moisture low is essential to avoid these issues. The best method to do this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, washing bedding and furniture, and using a dehumidifier or humidifier as required based on readings from hygrometers.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ, it can also improve the comfort of your home. For example, a home with high air pollutants can turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also trigger irritation to the eyes, itchy skin, and a stuffy feeling. Installing an air purifier and maintaining the HVAC system can help avoid these issues. Also, ensure that you open windows and doors to let air flow in when needed.
Poor air quality can trigger headaches, difficulty concentrating and a general feeling of malaise. These symptoms may resolve after leaving the space however prolonged exposure to poor quality air can worsen existing health conditions or even trigger serious health issues.
Ventilation is the primary factor that affects IAQ. This can be influenced by the weather, room occupancy rates, and the design of the structure. There are simple ways to improve IAQ. These include introducing plants in the home, opening the windows and doors whenever possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is operating effectively. If you’d like to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is recommended to speak with a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
While heat pumps and central air conditioners do a fantastic job of removing the majority of biological pollutants, including bacteria, molds and pet dander pollen, they are not designed to remove smoke particles. The microscopic particles in wildfire smoke are very dangerous and easily enter your eyes, nose and throat, causing symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congestion, runny nose, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and aggravate chronic heart and lung conditions. Smoke particles can cause a variety health effects, including bronchitis and aggravated asthma.
The smoke that has blanketed New York City this week is the result of forest fires in Canada, and it is causing hazardous air quality conditions across much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick smoke haze can reduce visibility and causes breathing difficulties for those who is outdoors.
There is no way to stop smoke from entering your home through doors and windows, especially in older homes with a lot of drafts and cracks. However, you can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke entering your home or business.
Close all windows and doors when it’s smokey. This can cut the amount of smoke by 30 percent. If you can, place damp towels on the door frames and cracks to slow the flow of smoke into your home or office.
If your HVAC system is in the recirculation feature, make sure to turn off the recirculation mode during smoke conditions. This allows the system to eliminate the smoke outside rather than the air being recirculated inside. If your structure has ducts that connect to areas where contaminants are likely to be high, such as parking garages or loading docks You should make sure that these ducts are isolated from the rest.
The EPA suggests that you change your HVAC filters more often during smokey conditions in order to ensure that they are effectively removing contaminants from indoor air. Choose a filter that has the minimum reporting value (MERV) that is 13 or more. These filters are designed to remove gaseous air pollution and smoke.
Supercooling
Supercooling is a green trend that has become more popular in recent years. It’s based on the idea that electricity doesn’t cost the same amount at any given time of the day. Most energy companies offer “time of use” plans that have different peak and offpeak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners to pre-cool their homes at off-peak hours, so they don’t need to run their air conditioners during those high-cost summer peak times.
This method requires an automated thermostat that can be programmed. However even with this, homeowners need to be sure to study their electric usage patterns and determine the most cost-effective time to run their air cooling system. Many people save about 25% or more on their energy bills by using this method.
To supercool the home, the homeowner should set their air conditioner at an lower temperature the following morning and keep it there for a few more hours. This cools the home’s walls, floors, furnishings and fixtures as well as the inside air. When peak energy-cost hours arrive the homeowner cranks the air conditioning on and leaves it running until it shuts off for a few hours.
This strategy is successful since cooling doesn’t just refer to making the air in the house cooler. It’s crucial to prevent heat from entering your home through doors, windows and other points that leak. It’s important that homeowners double-check their homes’ insulation and seal any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use window covers to block the sun, especially in areas that receive direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Also it is important to ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly 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.