Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air cooling and conditioning is among the most significant inventions of our time. They helped make summer blockbusters, wartime planes and supplies possible.
However cooling places a significant strain on electricity systems and creates massive amounts of pollution. This special IEA report aims to raise awareness of the impact of this demand and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Efficiency in energy is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new cooling system. The upgrade to a more efficient conditioner will help you save on energy bills and reduce the environmental impact. The energy efficiency of air conditioning units is assessed in various ways that include SEER and EER. These ratings show how the air conditioner is able to cool using a specific amount of electricity. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. You can locate a SEER rating of a system on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” online.
When you are looking for a new air conditioning system, search for one that has a high SEER rating. This rating reveals how well the unit performs under normal conditions during a given season. A higher SEER rating could reduce the cost of energy and consumption in the event that you replace an older model.
Other factors can impact the efficiency of energy in air conditioning systems, too. High indoor humidity, insufficient maintenance and duct leaks, for example, can all make your system be more demanding and consume more energy. Routine maintenance and sealing leaks in ducts are simple ways to improve the efficiency of your system.
Commercial cooling systems are also susceptible to concerns about energy efficiency. They use a combination of packaged or split-compressors and huge pipe networks to provide cooling throughout the building. They could also include steam systems, that require special maintenance to keep the pipes from becoming blocked.
Additionally the majority of these massive systems are controlled by a system known as a Building Automation System (BAS) that integrates all heating and cooling systems of the building into one centralized system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems with simple retrocommissioning guidelines that typically have quick paybacks and incentives to implement.
The global effort to combat climate change is heavily dependent on the efficiency of cooling and air conditioning. We need to ensure that cooling devices are efficient and that consumers are demanding them. In the meantime we can also take other measures to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be a serious health concern for many people who spend a large part of their time in buildings. There are a variety of ways to improve IAQ and prevent common issues such as asthma, allergies fatigue, allergies, etc.
Particulate matter and volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most frequent sources of pollution in modern homes and office buildings. These pollutants are released into the air through various activities, like cooking, cleaning, or smoking, and they could lead to respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
High levels of moisture can also have a negative impact on air quality. Mildew and mold can flourish in humid air, and can lead to respiratory issues. Monitoring humidity and keeping the humidity at a minimum is crucial to avoid these problems. The best method to do this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, cleaning bedding and soft furnishings, and using an air dehumidifier and humidifier if required based on readings from hygrometers.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ, it can also increase comfort in your home. For instance, a home with a lot of air pollution can be stale and smell unpleasant. It can also cause irritation eyes or itchy eyes, and a swollen sensation. Installing an air purifier as well as maintaining the HVAC system can help avoid these issues. Also, ensure that you open doors and windows for ventilation when needed.
Poor air quality can cause headaches, problems with concentration, and a general feeling of ill-health. These symptoms may improve after leaving the space however prolonged exposure to poor air quality can aggravate existing health issues or cause serious health issues.
The main factor that affects IAQ is the rate of fresh air replacing old air, a process referred to as ventilation. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rates, and the design of the structure. But, a few simple steps can be taken to improve IAQ, including introduction of plants into the home opening up windows and doors as much as possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is operating properly. If you want to go further, we recommend that you speak with a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are excellent at filtering out biological pollutants such as molds, bacteria pollen, pet dander and mold. However they are not able to remove smoke particles. The microscopic particles in wildfire smoke pose a risk, and they can easily enter your nose, eyes, and throat which can cause symptoms like burning eyes or itchy eyes, congestion, a runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to the lungs and exacerbate heart and lung conditions that are chronic. The fine particles that are invisible in smoke can get stuck in your lung, triggering a myriad of health issues, including aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your lungs and heart.
The haze that covered New York City last week was caused by forest fires raging in Canada. It can also cause dangerous air quality conditions throughout large parts of the north and south of the United States. The dense smoky fog reduces visibility, and can cause respiratory distress to anyone who is required to be outside.
There is no way to keep smoke from entering your home through doors and windows especially in older houses that have a lot of cracks and drafts. You can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke that enters your building.
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 around the door frames and cracks in order to slow the flow of smoke into your home or office.
If your HVAC system has a recirculation mode, be sure to switch off when you are in a smokey environment. This allows your HVAC system to expel the smokey indoor air instead of the air being recirculated. If you have ducts within your building which connect to areas that can generate high levels of pollutants, like parking garages with attached loading docks, make sure that those ducts are separate from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more often when you are in a smokey environment to ensure that they are effectively removing contaminants from indoor air. Select a filter with the minimum reporting value (MERV) that is 13 or more. These filters are designed to get rid of the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has been an increasingly popular method of reducing energy consumption. It’s based on the notion that electricity prices vary at different times of the day. Most energy companies offer “time of use” plans with different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling lets homeowners cool their homes ahead of off-peak hours, meaning they don’t require air conditioners during the expensive summer peak hours.
This requires an automatic thermostat that can be programmed. Even so, homeowners still need to take the time to analyze their electricity usage patterns to determine when their air conditioner is the most efficient. This method could save you up to 25 percent off your energy bill.
To supercool the home, the homeowner should set their AC to a lower temperature the next morning and then keep it there for a few hours. This cools the home’s walls, floors, furnishings and fixtures as well as the interior air. When peak energy-cost hours arrive the homeowner, he or she turns the air conditioning up and then leaves it running until it is turned off for several hours.
This method is efficient because it doesn’t only mean making the air in the house cooler. It’s crucial to prevent heat from entering your home through your windows, doors, and other leaky points. This is why homeowners should ensure that their home is insulated and cover any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use blinds to block sun light particularly in areas that get direct sunlight that is bright during the hottest times of the daytime. Also they should ensure that all windows and doors are tightly sealed to stop air from getting out during cooling cycles. They should also consider using smart thermostats to help them remember when to begin and stop cooling. This will allow homeowners to cut down on their energy costs without worrying about forgetting when to turn on or off the system.
