Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is one of the most important inventions of our time. They helped make summer blockbusters, wartime planes and other equipment possible.
However cooling puts a huge demand on electric systems and generates huge amounts of pollution. This special IEA Report raises awareness of the issue and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When you are choosing the right cooling system energy efficiency is a key factor. Upgrading to an efficient air conditioner will save on your energy costs and also reduce environmental impact. Air conditioning units are rated with several different energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings indicate how the air conditioner is able to cool with a certain amount of electricity. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit is. You can find a SEER rating of a system on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” online.
When looking for an air conditioner for the first time look for one that has an A+ rating. This rating reveals how efficiently the unit will perform during the course of a season in normal conditions. If you’re replacing a model that’s older with a higher SEER rating will greatly reduce your energy use and costs.
Other factors can impact the efficiency of energy in air conditioning systems, too. Insufficient humidity in the indoors, the absence of maintenance and leaks in ducts, for instance, could all make your system be more demanding and consume more energy. Regular maintenance and sealing of leaks in ducts are simple ways to increase the efficiency of your system.
Large commercial cooling systems come with particular energy efficiency considerations also. They use a combination of packaged or split-compressors and huge pipe networks to provide cooling throughout the building. These systems may also include steam systems that require special maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from getting blocked.
A lot of these huge systems can also be controlled by the use of a Building Automation System, which connects the cooling and heating systems into a single centralized system. Verde has been able to improve the efficiency of systems by providing retrocommissioning strategies that offer quick paybacks.
Energy efficiency in air conditioning and cooling is a major component of global efforts to combat climate change. We must ensure that cooling devices are super-efficient and that consumers demand them. In the meantime, there are a variety of ways we can help reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A lot of people spend the majority of their lives in buildings, and these structures can cause serious health risks in the event that their indoor air quality is not as good. There are many ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems like asthma, allergies, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide are the three most frequent sources of pollution in modern offices and homes. These pollutants can be released into the air by a number of activities like cooking, cleaning, and smoking. They can cause respiratory issues and allergies.
High levels of humidity can also create havoc on the quality of air. The humid air encourages the development of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory problems. To prevent this from happening, it is important to keep an eye on humidity levels and keep the moisture level at a low level. The best method to do this is to regularly dust and vacuuming, washing furniture and bedding, and using an air dehumidifier and humidifier if required based on readings from hygrometers.
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 for instance, may smell musty. It can also cause irritation to the eyes, itchy skin and a snoring feeling. These issues can be prevented by installing an air purifier, maintaining the HVAC system, and making sure that doors and windows are kept open to let in air as needed.
Poor air quality can trigger headaches, problems with concentration and general unwellness. While these symptoms will disappear after leaving the space, prolonged exposure can worsen existing health issues and could lead to serious illness.
Ventilation is the most important aspect that influences IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rate of rooms and the design. There are a few easy ways to improve IAQ. This can be done by introducing plants in the home, opening windows and doors whenever possible, and making sure that the HVAC system is operating effectively. For those who would like to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is suggested to speak with a Comfort Specialist regarding an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are effective in removing biological pollutants such as molds, bacteria pollen, pet dander, and mold. However, they do not remove smoke particles. The microscopic particles in wildfire smoke are very dangerous, and they can easily enter your nose, eyes and throat, causing 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. Smoke particles can cause a variety of health problems such as bronchitis and aggravation of asthma.
The haze that engulfed New York City last week was caused by forest fires burning in Canada. It is also causing dangerous air quality conditions across most of the south and north of the United States. The thick smoky haze decreases visibility and causes breathing problems for those who has to be outdoors.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely stop smoke from entering your business or home through doors and windows particularly older homes with lots of cracks and drafts. However, you can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke entering your building.
Close all windows and doors when it’s smoky. This will reduce the amount of smoke by 30 percent. Place wet towels in the cracks of door frames and around them to reduce the flow of smoky air.
If your HVAC system features the ability to recirculate air, be sure you switch it off when the air is smoky. This will allow your HVAC to expel the smokey indoor air to the outside, rather than returning it. If you have ducts within your building connected to areas that may generate high levels of pollutants, like parking garages with attached loading docks, you should be certain to have these ducts separate from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA suggests changing your HVAC filters much more often during smokey conditions to ensure they’re effectively removing the toxins from the air inside. Select a filter with an efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or greater, as these filters are specially designed to eliminate gases and smoke pollutants.
Supercooling
In recent years, supercooling has become an energy-saving method that is popular. It’s based on the notion that electricity costs different amounts at different times of the day. The majority of power companies offer “time of use” plans with different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling lets homeowners pre-cool their homes at off-peak hours so they don’t need to run their air conditioners during high-cost summer peak periods.
This method requires a programmable thermostat that is able to adjust itself automatically. However, homeowners still need to be aware of their usage patterns for electricity to determine when their air conditioner will be the most efficient. Many people save about 25% or more off their energy bills using this method.
To keep the home cool the home, the homeowner set their AC to lower temperatures in the morning and maintains it at the same setting for a couple of hours. This cools the home’s walls, floors, furnishings and fixtures as well as the air inside. When peak energy-cost hours arrive the homeowner cranks the air conditioning up and runs it until it is turned off for several hours again.
This method is effective because cooling isn’t just about keeping the air inside the house cool. It’s also about preventing heat from getting into the house through windows, doors and other leak points. It is essential that homeowners check the insulation of their home and cover any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to cover windows to block the sun, particularly in areas that get direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. It is also important to ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to prevent air from escape during cooling cycles are in progress. Additionally, they should think about installing smart thermostats that will assist them in ensuring that they start and stop cooling at the most optimal times of the day. This makes it easier for homeowners to keep their energy bills at a minimum without having to remember to turn off the system or on.