Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is one of the most important inventions of our time. They were instrumental in making summer blockbusters and wartime planes and other equipment possible.
However, cooling puts a large burden on electrical systems and generates huge quantities of pollution. This particular IEA Report aims to raise awareness of the issue and suggests solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing the right cooling system energy efficiency is a key factor. Upgrade to a more efficient air conditioner and reduce your energy costs and reduce your environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated with several different energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings tell you how the air conditioner is able to cool using a specific amount of electricity. The higher the rating is, 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” on the internet.
When you are looking for a new air conditioning system, look for one with a good SEER rating. This rating shows how the unit performs under normal conditions during a particular season. A higher SEER rating could reduce your energy costs and consumption in the event that you replace an older model.
Other factors can affect the efficiency of air conditioning systems, too. For example, high indoor humidity levels, lack of maintenance, and duct leaks can all make your system work harder and consume more energy. Regular maintenance and sealing of leaks in the ducts are a simple way to improve the efficiency of your system.
Large commercial cooling systems have their own energy efficiency concerns as well. These systems often make use of a combination of split or packaged compressors and massive pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. They could also have steam systems, which require specialized maintenance to prevent the pipes from becoming blocked.
In addition the majority of these massive systems are controlled by what’s called a Building Automation System (BAS), which integrates all heating and cooling systems of the building into one centralized system. Verde has assisted clients in optimizing the performance of these systems with simple retrocommissioning guidelines that typically have quick paybacks and incentives for their implementation.
Energy efficiency in cooling and air conditioning is a key component of global efforts to mitigate climate change. We must ensure that cooling equipment is super-efficient and that consumers demand them. In the meantime, there are other actions we can take to help reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A lot of people spend the majority of their lives in structures, and these structures can cause serious health risks in the event that their indoor air quality is not as good. There are numerous ways to improve IAQ and avoid common ailments like asthma, allergies, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter as well as volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most frequent pollutants in modern homes and office buildings. These pollutants are released into the air due to various activities, including cooking, cleaning, and smoking, and they can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
A high level of humidity can also cause destruction on the air quality. Mold and mildew can grow in humid air, which can lead to respiratory issues. To avoid these issues it is crucial to keep an eye on humidity levels and keep the moisture level at a lower level. This can be accomplished by regularly cleaning and vacuuming, washing bedding, furniture and using a dehumidifier or humidifier using a humidity gauge.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ in your home, it can improve the comfort of your home. For instance, a house with a lot of air pollution can turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also cause irritation to the eyes, itchy skin and a feeling of suffocation. These issues can be prevented by installing an air purifier, maintaining the HVAC system, and ensuring that windows and doors are opened to allow air circulation when needed.
Poor air quality can lead to headaches, concentration problems, and a general unwellness. Although these symptoms may resolve themselves after leaving a space, prolonged exposure can cause health problems that are already present and can even result in serious health issues.
Ventilation is the primary aspect that influences IAQ. This can be affected by the weather conditions, the room occupancy rate and the design. However, simple steps can be taken to enhance IAQ by introducing plants into the home opening up windows and doors as much as is possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is operating effectively. If you’re looking to take it a one step further, we suggest you speak with a Comfort Specialist about an indoor air assessment.
Smoke Pollution
While heat pumps and central air conditioners do a great job of removing the majority of biological pollutants, such as molds, bacteria and pet dander pollen, they are not designed to eliminate smoke particles. The tiny particles that make up smoke from wildfires are extremely dangerous and can easily enter your nose, eyes, and throat which can cause symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congestion, a runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to the lungs and cause worsening of heart and lung conditions that are chronic. The invisible fine particles in smoke can lodge deep into your lungs, triggering a variety of health issues, including worsened asthma, bronchitis and damage to your lungs and heart.
The smoke that blanketed New York City last week was caused by forest fires burning in Canada. It can also cause dangerous air quality issues across most of the south and north of the United States. The thick smoky fog can reduce visibility and can cause respiratory distress for anyone who has to be outdoors.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent smoky air from entering your home or business through doors and windows particularly older homes with many drafts and cracks. However you can take steps to minimize the amount of smoke entering your building.
Keep all doors and windows closed when it’s smoky outside. This can cut down on the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30 percent. Place damp towels in the cracks around door frames and in the corners to stop the flow of smoky ai.
If your HVAC system features the ability to recirculate air, be sure you switch it off when the air is smoky. This will allow the system to expel the smoke directly outside instead of returning it to inside. If you have ducts within your building connected to areas that can produce high concentrations of pollutants, like parking garages with attached loading docks, you should be sure that those ducts are separate from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA suggests changing your HVAC filters more often during smokey conditions to ensure they are effectively taking out the toxins in the indoor air. Select a filter with a minimum reporting value (MERV) which is 13 or higher. These filters are designed to remove smoke and gaseous air pollution.
Supercooling
Supercooling is an energy-saving trend that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s based on the notion that electricity doesn’t cost the same amount at any time of the day. The majority of electricity companies offer “time of use” plans with different peak and offpeak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners cool their homes in advance during off-peak times, so they don’t require air conditioners at those expensive summer peak hours.
This requires a thermostat that can adjust automatically. Even so homeowners should be aware of their electricity usage patterns to determine the time when their air conditioner is the most efficient. Many people save about 25% or more off their energy bills by using this method.
To cool the house, the homeowner should set their AC to a lower temperature the next morning and keep it there for a few more hours. The home’s walls are cooled by the cooling furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures, as well as the air inside. When the energy costs are at their peak homeowners, they turn the air conditioning up and leave it on until the next time it is turned off.
This method is efficient because cooling doesn’t just mean making the air inside the house cooler. It’s important to prevent heat from getting into your home through your windows, doors and other points that leak. It is essential that homeowners check the insulation of their home and cover any leaky or drafty areas. They should also use blinds to block out sun, especially those that get bright direct sunlight during the hottest times of the day. Also they should ensure that all doors and windows are sealed to prevent air from escaping during cooling cycles. Also, they should consider using smart thermostats that can help them remember to start and stop cooling at the ideal times of the day. This allows homeowners to reduce their energy consumption without worrying about forgetting when to switch on or off the system.
