Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are among the most important inventions in the history of modern times. They helped make wartime and summer blockbusters and other equipment possible.
However, cooling puts a large burden on electrical systems and generates huge amounts of pollution. This special IEA report aims to raise awareness of the effects of this demand and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing an air conditioner, energy efficiency is an important factor. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner and save money on energy bills, as well as reduce the environmental impact. The energy efficiency of air conditioners is rated in several ways such as SEER and EER. These ratings show how much a unit is able to cool with a certain amount of energy consumed. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. The SEER rating of a system can be found on its yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
When looking for a brand new air conditioning system, look for one that has a high SEER rating. This rating reveals how well the unit performs under normal conditions in a given season. A higher SEER rating will reduce the cost of energy and consumption in the event that you replace an older model.
Air conditioning systems can be affected by other causes as well. High indoor humidity, lack of maintenance and duct leaks, for instance, can make your system work harder and consume additional energy. Maintaining your system with regular maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are simple steps to increase your system’s energy efficiency.
Large commercial cooling systems come with particular energy efficiency considerations also. They typically make use of an array of packaged or split compressors and massive pipes to distribute cooling throughout the building. They might also have steam systems which require specialized maintenance in order 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 integrates all heating and cooling systems of the building into one centralized system. Verde has assisted in optimizing the efficiency of the systems by offering retrocommissioning strategies that offer quick paybacks.
The global effort to reduce the impact of climate change is largely dependent on the efficiency of energy used in cooling and air-conditioning. In the end, we have to ensure that manufacturers bring highly efficient cooling appliances to market, and that consumers are demanding them. In the meantime, there are other steps we can take to help reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be a serious health concern for many people who spend a significant portion of their lives in buildings. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to improve IAQ and be a solution to common ailments like asthma, allergies, and fatigue.
Particulate matter as well as volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most frequent sources of pollution in modern offices and homes. buildings. These pollutants can be released into the air by a number of activities such as cooking, cleaning, and smoking. They can trigger allergies and respiratory issues.
High levels of moisture can also have a negative effect on air quality. Moisture can encourage the growth of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory issues. To prevent these issues, it is important to keep an eye on humidity levels and ensure that the moisture level remains at a minimum. The best way to accomplish this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, washing furniture and bedding and using an air dehumidifier and humidifier if needed based on the readings of a hygrometer.
Apart from the obvious health benefits, improving IAQ can enhance the comfort in homes. For instance, a home that is contaminated by air pollutants could be stale and smell unpleasant. It can also cause irritation eyes or itchy eyes, and a swollen sensation. Installing an air purifier and maintaining the HVAC system can help to avoid these issues. Also, make sure that you open windows and doors to let air flow in when needed.
Poor air quality can lead to headaches, concentration problems and general unwellness. Although these symptoms may disappear after leaving the space, prolonged exposure can cause health problems that are already present and may lead to serious illness.
The primary factor that affects IAQ is the rate at which fresh air replaces old air, a process referred to as ventilation. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rates, and the design of the structure. However, simple steps can be taken to improve IAQ, including introduction of plants into the home opening up windows and doors as much as is possible and making sure that the HVAC system is operating effectively. For those who would like to take a more thorough approach, it is recommended to consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
Central air conditioning systems are excellent in removing biological pollutants like bacteria, molds, pet dander and pollen. However they are not able to remove smoke particles. Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles that can trigger symptoms like burning or itchy eye congested nasal, runny nose and coughing. They can also irritate your lungs and worsen chronic heart and lung conditions. Smoke particles can cause variety of health problems, including bronchitis and aggravated asthma.
The smoke blanketing New York City this week has been caused by forest fires in Canada and has created hazardous air quality conditions across much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick smoky fog can reduce visibility and may cause respiratory stress to anyone who is required to be outside.
Unfortunately there is no way to completely block smoky air from getting into your business or home through windows and doors, especially older homes with a lot of drafts and cracks. You can make steps to decrease the amount of smoke that enters your home or business.
Keep all windows and doors shut when it’s smokey outside. This can reduce the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30%. Place damp towels in the cracks of door frames and around them to slow down the flow of smoky ai.
If your HVAC system is in a recirculation mode, be sure to turn it off during smoky conditions. This will allow your HVAC system to expel the smokey indoor air outside instead of recirculating it. If you have ducts within your building that connect to areas that could have high concentrations of pollutants, like parking garages that are attached to the building and loading docks, make certain to have these ducts independently isolated from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA suggests that you change your HVAC filters more frequently in the event of smoke to ensure that they are eliminating pollutants from the air in your home. Select a filter with a minimum reporting value (MERV) which is 13 or more. These filters are designed to remove the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has been a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based on the notion that electricity costs different amounts at different times of the day. In reality, the majority of power companies offer “time-of-use” plans that provide different peak and off-peak rates. Supercooling lets homeowners pre-cool their homes during off-peak times so that they don’t have to run their air conditioners during those high-cost summer peak periods.
This method requires an automated thermostat that can be programmed. Even so homeowners must examine their usage patterns for electricity to determine when their air conditioner will be most cost-effective. This strategy could save you up to 25 percent on your energy bills.
To make the house super cool the home, the homeowner set their AC to lower temperatures in the morning and maintains it at that setting for a few hours. This cools the home’s walls as well as floors, furniture and fixtures, as well as the inside air. When peak energy costs hit, the homeowner will increase the temperature of the air conditioner and leave it on until the next time it’s shut off.
This method works because cooling isn’t only about making the air inside the house cool. It’s also about stopping heat from entering the house through windows, doors and other leak points. This is why homeowners should ensure that their home is insulated and cover any drafty or leaky areas. Also, they should use window covers to block out sun, especially in areas that get direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. They should also ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to prevent air from escaping when cooling cycles are in progress. They should also think about using smart thermostats to assist them remember when to begin and stop cooling. This will allow homeowners to keep their energy costs low and not worry about forgetting to turn the system off or on.
