Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is one of the most significant inventions of modern history. They helped make summer blockbusters, wartime planes and other equipment possible.
However cooling puts a huge burden on electrical systems and generates huge amounts of pollution. This particular IEA report raises awareness about the impact of this demand and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is among the most important factors when choosing a new cooling system. Upgrade to a more efficient air conditioner and you will reduce your energy costs and also reduce your environmental impact. Air conditioning units are rated with several different energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings tell you how much a unit can cool in a given amount of energy consumed. The higher the score, the more efficient the unit. The SEER rating of the system can be found on the yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
When looking for an air conditioner for the first time pick one with a high rating. This rating reveals how the unit performs in normal conditions during a particular season. A higher SEER rating will lower your energy costs and consumption in the event that you replace an older model.
Other factors can impact energy efficiency in air conditioning systems, too. For instance, high indoor humidity levels, lack of maintenance, and duct leaks can all make your system work harder and consume more energy. Routine maintenance and sealing ducts leaks are easy 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 packaged or split-compressors and huge pipe networks to provide cooling throughout the building. They may also have steam systems, that require special maintenance to ensure that the pipes do not become blocked.
Many of these systems can also be controlled with a Building Automation System, which connects the cooling and heating systems into a single central system. Verde has assisted clients in optimizing the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning recommendations that typically provide quick paybacks and incentives for implementation.
Energy efficiency in air conditioning and cooling is a major component of global efforts to mitigate climate change. In the end, we must ensure that manufacturers bring super-efficient cooling equipment to market, and consumers demand these appliances. In the meantime, there are a variety of steps we can take to help cut our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A large portion of people live their lives in buildings and these structures could pose significant health threats in the event that their indoor air quality is not as good. There are fortunately numerous ways to improve IAQ that can help be a solution to common ailments like asthma, allergies, and fatigue.
Particulate matter (PM) as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide are the three main sources for pollution in modern workplaces and homes. These pollutants are released into the air due to various activities, including cooking, cleaning, and smoking cigarettes, and can lead to respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
High levels of humidity can also wreak havoc on air quality. The humid air encourages the development of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory issues. Monitoring humidity and keeping the humidity low is key to preventing these problems. This can be done by regularly cleaning and vacuuming, washing bedding, soft furnishings and making use of a humidifier or dehumidifier using a hygrometer.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ It can also increase the comfort in your home. A home that has high levels of air pollutants such as radon, for instance, can smell musty. It can also trigger irritation to eyes, itchy skin, and a stuffy feeling. Installing an air purifier and maintaining the HVAC system can help keep these issues from happening. Also, ensure that you open windows and doors for ventilation whenever you need to.
The symptoms of poor air quality can be a variety of symptoms and can include headaches, difficulty in concentrating, and general malaise. These symptoms may improve after leaving the space however, prolonged exposure to poor quality air could exacerbate existing health issues or even cause serious illness.
Ventilation is the primary factor that affects IAQ. This is affected by the weather, room occupancy rate and the design. There are a few easy methods to improve IAQ. This can be done by introducing plants in the house, opening the doors and windows as often as possible, and making sure that the HVAC system is operating effectively. If you’re looking to take it a one step further, we suggest you consult a Comfort Specialist about an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
While heat pumps and central air conditioners do a great job of filtering out the majority of biological contaminants, like bacteria, molds, pet dander, and pollen, they are not designed to remove smoke particles. Wildfire smoke contains microscopic particles that can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eye congestion, runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and worsen chronic lung and heart problems. The fine particles that are invisible in smoke can clog your lung, triggering a range of health effects such as aggravated asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your lungs and heart.
The smoke that blanketed New York City last week was caused by forest fires that are burning in Canada. It can also cause dangerous air quality conditions across most of the south and north of the United States. The thick fog of smoke reduces visibility and can cause respiratory stress for anyone who has to be outdoors.
There is no way to stop smoke from entering your home through your windows and doors particularly in older homes with a lot of drafts and cracks. You can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke that enters your home or business.
Keep all windows and doors closed when it’s smoky outside. This can cut down on the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30%. If possible, place wet towels around the door frames and cracks to stop the movement of smoky air into your home or office.
If your HVAC system has the recirculation feature, make sure to turn off the recirculation mode during smoke conditions. This will allow your HVAC to expel the smokey indoor air instead of recirculating it. If your building has ducts that connect to areas where contamination is likely to be high, such as parking garages or loading docks You should make sure that the ducts are separated from the rest.
The EPA recommends that you change your HVAC filters more often during smokey conditions in order to ensure that they are removing pollutants from the air in your home. Choose a filter with an efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or greater, as these filters are designed to eliminate smoke and other gaseous air pollutants.
Supercooling
Supercooling is an energy-saving trend that has become more popular in recent years. It’s based on the idea that electricity isn’t priced the same amount at any given time of the day. Most energy companies offer “time of use” plans that offer different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling allows homeowners cool their homes in advance during off-peak hours, so they don’t have to run air conditioners during the expensive summer peak hours.
This method requires a programmable thermostat that can adjust automatically. Even so homeowners should be aware of their patterns of usage of electricity to determine when their air conditioner will be most cost-effective. This could save you as much as 25 percent off your energy bill.
To supercool the home homeowners should set their air conditioner at a lower temperature the next morning and maintain it for a few more hours. The home’s walls are cooled by the cooling furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures, as well as the inside air. When the energy costs are at their peak homeowners, they increase the temperature of the air conditioner and leave it on until the next time it is turned off.
This strategy works because cooling isn’t just about making the air inside the home cool. It’s important to prevent heat from getting into your home through windows, doors, and other leaky points. This is why homeowners must ensure that their home is constructed and insulated, and also cover any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use window coverings to block out sun particularly those that receive bright direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Also it is important to ensure that all doors and windows are sealed to prevent air from getting out during cooling cycles. They should also consider using smart thermostats to assist them remember when to start and stop cooling. This allows homeowners to keep their energy bills low without worrying about forgetting to turn the system off or on.
