Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are among the most important inventions of modern history. They made summer movie blockbusters possible and also helped boost production for wartime supplies and airplanes.
However cooling places a significant demand on electric systems and creates massive quantities of pollution. This special IEA report aims to raise awareness of the negative impact of this demand and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is among the most important factors to consider when selecting a new cooling system. The upgrade to a more efficient conditioner will help you save on energy bills and reduce the environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated using a variety of energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings tell you how much a unit can cool in a given amount of electricity consumed. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. The SEER rating of a unit can be found on the yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
If you are looking for an air conditioner that is new, choose one with an A+ rating. This rating indicates how efficiently the unit performs during a season under normal conditions. A higher SEER rating will reduce your energy consumption and costs in the event that you replace an older model.
Other things can influence energy efficiency in air conditioning systems, too. Insufficient humidity in the indoors, insufficient maintenance and duct leaks, for instance, can cause your system to work harder and consume additional energy. Maintaining your system with regular maintenance and sealing duct leaks are easy ways to improve your system’s energy efficiency.
Large commercial cooling systems come with particular energy efficiency considerations, too. They typically utilize a combination of split or packaged compressors and massive pipe networks to deliver cooling throughout the building. These systems may also include steam systems that require special maintenance to prevent the pipes from getting blocked.
Additionally, many of these large systems are controlled by something known as a Building Automation System (BAS) which connects all heating and cooling systems of the building into a single system. Verde has assisted clients in optimizing the performance of these systems by providing simple retrocommissioning suggestions that usually have quick paybacks and incentives for implementation.
Energy efficiency in air conditioning and cooling is a key component of global efforts to reduce climate change. Ultimately, we need to ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling equipment to market, and that consumers demand them. In the meantime, we can take other measures to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A large portion of people live their lives in buildings and these structures can cause serious health risks in the event that the indoor air quality isn’t good enough. There are fortunately many ways to improve IAQ and stop common issues like asthma as well as allergies and fatigue.
Particulate matter and volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most common sources of pollution in modern homes and office buildings. These pollutants can be released into the atmosphere through a variety of activities like cooking, cleaning, and smoking. They can trigger allergies and respiratory problems.
High levels of humidity can also cause havoc on air quality. Mildew and mold can thrive in humid air, which can lead to respiratory issues. To prevent this from happening it is essential to monitor humidity and keep the moisture level at a low level. The best way to accomplish this is to regularly dust and vacuuming, washing bedding and furniture, and using the dehumidifier or humidifier when needed based on the readings of a hygrometer.
Apart from the obvious health benefits in improving IAQ can improve the comfort of homes. For instance, a home with a lot of air pollution can turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also trigger irritated eyes or itchy eyes, as well as a stuffy sensation. Installing an air purifier and maintaining the HVAC system can help to avoid these issues. Also, ensure that you open windows and doors for ventilation when needed.
The symptoms of poor air quality can be a variety of symptoms and include headaches, difficulty in concentrating, and a general malaise. Although these symptoms may resolve themselves after leaving a space, prolonged exposure to air pollution can exacerbate existing health conditions and can even result in serious illness.
The primary factor that affects IAQ is the rate of fresh air replacing the old air, a process referred to as ventilation. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rates, as well as the design of the building. There are many methods to improve IAQ. This can be done by introducing plants in the home, opening windows and doors whenever feasible, and making sure that the HVAC system is working properly. If you’d prefer to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is recommended to speak with a Comfort Specialist regarding an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
While central air conditioners do an excellent job of removing the majority of biological contaminants, like molds, bacteria, pet dander, and pollen, they are not designed to eliminate smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires is a source of microscopic particles which can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eye, congestion, runny nasal, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to the lungs and exacerbate chronic lung and heart conditions. The invisible fine particles in smoke can get stuck in your lungs, triggering a variety of health effects such as aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your heart and lungs.
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 throughout much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick fog of smoke reduces visibility and may cause respiratory stress to anyone who is required to be outside.
Unfortunately there is no way to completely prevent smoky air from getting into your business or home through windows and doors, especially older homes with lots of cracks and drafts. You can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke entering your home or business.
Close all windows and doors when it’s smoky. This will reduce the amount of smoky air by 30 percent. Place wet towels in the cracks and around door frames to reduce the flow of smoke.
If your HVAC system has an recirculation mode, make sure to switch off the recirculation mode during smoke conditions. This will allow the system to eliminate the smoke outside, rather than returning it to inside. If you have ducts in your building which connect to areas that may generate high levels of contaminants, such as parking garages with attached loading docks, make sure that those ducts are separated from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA suggests changing your HVAC filters much more often in the event of smoke to ensure they are effectively removing the toxins from the air inside. Select a filter with the minimum reporting value (MERV), which is 13 or more. These filters are designed to remove smoke and gaseous air pollution.
Supercooling
In recent times, supercooling has become a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based off the idea that electricity prices are different 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 in off-peak hours, so they don’t need to run their air conditioners during high-cost summer peak times.
This requires a thermostat with programmable settings that can adjust automatically. However, homeowners still need to take the time to analyze their usage patterns for electricity to determine the time when their air conditioner is the most efficient. This method could save you as much as 25 percent off your energy bill.
To keep the home cool the home, the homeowner set their air conditioner to lower temperatures in the morning and maintains it at the same setting for a couple of hours. This cools the walls furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures as well as the interior air. When the energy costs are at their peak, the homeowner will turn the air conditioning up, and leave it running 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 crucial to prevent heat from entering your home through windows, doors and other leaky areas. That’s why homeowners should double-check that their home is insulated and insulate any leaky or drafty areas. They should also use window covers to block out the sun, particularly in areas that receive direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Additionally, they should make sure that all doors and windows are sealed to prevent air from escaping during cooling cycles. They should also think about using smart thermostats to help them remember when to start and stop cooling. This will allow homeowners to keep their energy costs at a minimum without having to remember to turn off the system or on.
