Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are one of the most significant inventions of the past century. They made summer blockbusters, wartime planes and other supplies possible.
Cooling, however, puts an enormous strain on the power system and produces huge quantities of pollution. This particular IEA Report raises awareness of the issue and suggests solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing the right cooling system energy efficiency is a key factor. Upgrading to an efficient air cooling system will lower your energy bills and reduce environmental impacts. Air conditioning units are rated with several different energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings show how much a unit can cool for a given amount of electricity consumed. The higher the score, the more efficient the unit is. You can find the SEER rating of a system on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” online.
When shopping for a new air conditioning unit, look for one with a high SEER rating. This rating reveals how well the unit performs under normal conditions during a given season. A higher SEER rating could lower 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. For example high levels of indoor humidity as well as a lack of maintenance and duct leaks can all make your system work harder and consume more energy. Regular maintenance and sealing leaks in the ducts are a simple way to increase the energy efficiency of your system.
Commercial cooling systems are also subject to energy efficiency concerns. These systems often use the combination of split or packaged compressors that have huge pipe networks to deliver cooling throughout the building. They may also incorporate steam systems that require specific maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from becoming blocked.
Many of these systems can also be controlled with an Building Automation System, which integrates the cooling and heating systems into a single centralized system. Verde has assisted in optimizing the performance of systems by providing retrocommissioning suggestions that have quick paybacks.
The global effort to combat the impact of climate change is largely dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air-conditioning. We need to ensure that cooling equipment is efficient and that consumers are demanding these appliances. In the meantime we can take additional measures to reduce our energy use and greenhouse gases emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Many people spend much of their lives in buildings, and these structures could be a major health risk when their indoor air quality isn’t good enough. There are a variety of ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems such as asthma, allergies fatigue, allergies, etc.
Particulate matter (PM) as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide are the three most frequent sources for pollution in modern offices and homes. These pollutants can be released into the air through a variety of actions such as cleaning, cooking and smoking. They can cause allergies and respiratory issues.
The presence of excessive moisture can also have a negative impact on the quality of air. Mildew and mold can thrive in humid air, and can lead to respiratory problems. Monitoring humidity and keeping the moisture level low is key to preventing these problems. This can be accomplished by regularly cleaning and vacuuming, washing bedding, furniture and using a humidifier or dehumidifier based on the humidifier or hygrometer.
Aside from the obvious health benefits, improving IAQ can improve the comfort of homes. A home that has high levels of air pollution for instance, may smell musty. It can also trigger itchy skin, irritated eyes, and a stuffy feeling. These issues can be prevented by installing an air purifier, maintaining the HVAC system, and ensuring that windows and doors are open for ventilation as required.
Poor air quality can cause headaches, difficulty concentrating and a general feeling of unwellness. Although these symptoms may resolve themselves after leaving a space, prolonged exposure to air pollution can cause health problems that are already present and could lead to serious illness.
Ventilation is the main factor that affects IAQ. This is influenced by the weather, occupancy rates, and also the design of the building. However, simple steps can be taken to enhance IAQ by introduction of plants into the home, opening windows and doors as much as possible and making sure that the HVAC system is operating properly. For those who would like to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is recommended to consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
While central air conditioners do an excellent job of filtering out the majority of biological pollutants, such as molds, bacteria, pet dander, and pollen, they’re not designed to eliminate smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires contains microscopic particles which can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eye congested nasal, runny nose and coughing. They can also irritate your lungs and cause worsening of chronic heart and lung conditions. Smoke particles can trigger a range of health issues, including bronchitis and aggravated asthma.
The smoke that has blanketed New York City this week is the result of forest fires in Canada and is causing hazardous air quality conditions across much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick smoky haze decreases visibility and creates respiratory stress for anyone who must be outdoors.
There is no way to prevent smoke from getting into your home through doors and windows especially in older houses with a lot of drafts and cracks. However you can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke entering your home or business.
Close all doors and windows when it’s smokey. This will reduce the amount of smoky air by 30 percent. Put wet towels in cracks of door frames and around them to slow down the flow of smoke.
If your HVAC system has an recirculation feature, make sure to turn it off when the air is smokey. This allows your HVAC system to take the smokey indoor air outside, rather than recirculating it. If your structure has ducts that connect to areas where contamination is likely to be high, such as loading docks or parking garages it is important to ensure that these ducts are isolated from the rest of.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more often in the event of smoke to ensure they are effectively taking out the toxins in the indoor air. Select a filter that has a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or greater, as these filters are designed to remove smoke and other gaseous air pollutants.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has become an increasingly popular method of reducing energy consumption. It’s based on the idea that electricity doesn’t cost the same amount at any time of the day. In fact, most energy companies offer “time-of-use” plans that feature different off-peak and peak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners to cool their homes in advance during off-peak hours, so they don’t require air conditioners during the expensive summer peak hours.
This requires a thermostat that can adjust automatically. However, homeowners still need to examine their usage patterns for electricity to determine the time when their air conditioner is most cost-effective. Many people save about 25% or more off their energy bills using this method.
To cool the house, the homeowner should set their air conditioner at an lower temperature the following morning and keep it there for a few more hours. This cools the home’s walls furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures, as well as the inside air. Then, when the peak energy-cost hours arrive, the homeowner turns the air conditioning up and runs it until it’s off for several hours.
This strategy works because cooling isn’t just about making the air inside the home cool. It’s crucial to prevent heat from entering your home through doors, windows and other points that leak. It is crucial that homeowners double-check their home’s insulation and insulate any leaky or drafty areas. It is also recommended to make use of window shades to block out sunlight, particularly in areas that receive direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. They should also ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to stop air from getting out during cooling cycles occur. They should also think about installing smart thermostats to help them remember when to start and stop cooling. This allows homeowners to reduce their energy costs without worrying about forgetting to turn on or off the system.
