Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Cooling and air conditioning are one of the most important inventions in the history of modern times. They made blockbuster summer movies possible and also helped boost production for wartime supplies and aircrafts.
However cooling places a significant strain on electricity systems and generates huge amounts of pollution. This particular IEA report aims to raise awareness of the impact of this demand and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Efficiency in energy is one of the most important factors when selecting a new cooling system. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner and save money on energy bills, as well as reduce the environmental impact. Air conditioning units are rated according to a variety of energy efficiency ratings, including SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings show how much a unit is able to cool with a certain amount of energy consumed. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. The SEER rating of a system can be found on the yellow Energy Guide Label or by searching “SEER ratings”.
When looking for a new air conditioner, choose one with a high rating. This rating indicates how well the unit will perform during the course of a season in normal conditions. If you’re replacing a model that’s older, a higher SEER rating will greatly reduce your energy use and expenses.
Other things can influence energy efficiency in air conditioning systems, too. High indoor humidity, insufficient maintenance and duct leaks, for instance, can cause your system to work harder and consume additional energy. Routine maintenance and sealing leaks in ducts are simple ways to increase the efficiency of your system.
Commercial cooling systems are also subject to energy efficiency issues. They typically make use of a combination of packaged or split compressors and massive pipe networks to deliver cooling throughout the building. They could also have steam systems, that require special maintenance to ensure that the pipes do not become blocked.
Many of these large systems can also be controlled by the use of a Building Automation System, which connects the cooling and heating systems into one centralized system. Verde has assisted in optimizing the performance of these systems by providing retrocommissioning suggestions that have quick paybacks.
The global effort to curb the effects of climate change is heavily dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air-conditioning. In the end, we must ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling appliances to market, and that consumers demand these appliances. In the meantime, there are other steps we can take to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be an important health issue for those who spend a substantial portion of their lives inside buildings. There are a variety of ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems like allergies, asthma, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter (PM), 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 atmosphere by a number of activities such as cooking, cleaning, and smoking. They can trigger allergies and respiratory issues.
A high level of moisture may have a negative impact on the quality of air. Mold and mildew can grow in humid air, and can lead to respiratory problems. To prevent this from happening it is essential to monitor humidity and keep the moisture level at a low level. The best way to achieve this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, cleaning furniture and bedding, and using an air dehumidifier and humidifier if needed based on the readings of a hygrometer.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ, it can also increase comfort in your home. For example, a home that is contaminated by air pollutants could turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also trigger irritated or itchy eyes and a swollen sensation. This can be addressed by installing an air purifier, keeping the HVAC system, and ensuring that doors and windows are open for ventilation as required.
Poor air quality can lead to headaches, difficulty concentrating, and a general feeling of ill-health. While these symptoms can resolve themselves after leaving a space, prolonged exposure to air pollution 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 is affected by the weather conditions, the occupancy rate of rooms, and the design. There are simple ways to improve IAQ. These include installing plants in the home, opening windows and doors whenever possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is working properly. If you’d prefer to take more of a thorough approach, it is recommended to consult a Comfort Specialist about an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
While central air conditioners do a fantastic job of filtering out most 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 congested nasal, runny nose and coughing. They can also irritate the lungs and worsen heart and lung conditions that are chronic. The invisible fine particles in smoke can get stuck in your lungs, triggering a variety of health issues, including an increase in asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your heart and lungs.
The smoke that has blanketed New York City this week was caused by forest fires in Canada, and it is causing dangerous air quality conditions across a large portion 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 outdoors.
There is no way to keep smoke from getting into your home through windows and doors particularly in older homes that have a lot of cracks and drafts. However you can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke entering your building.
Keep all doors and windows closed when it is smoky outside. This will reduce the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30%. If you can, put wet towels on the door frames and cracks in order to slow the flow of smoke into your home or business.
If your HVAC system has an recirculation mode, make sure to turn off the recirculation mode during smoke conditions. This allows your HVAC system to expel the smokey indoor air outside instead of returning it. If your building has ducts that connect to areas where contamination is likely to be high, for instance parking garages or loading docks it is important to ensure that the ducts are separated from the rest of.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more frequently during smokey conditions in order to ensure that they are eliminating toxins from indoor air. Choose a filter that has an MERV that is at least (MERV), which is 13 or greater. These filters are designed to eliminate smoke and gaseous air pollution.
Supercooling
Supercooling is a green trend that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s based on the notion that electricity isn’t priced the same amount at any given time of the day. In fact, many power companies offer “time-of-use” plans that offer different peak and off-peak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners to pre-cool their homes in off-peak hours so they don’t have to run their air conditioners during high-cost summer peak times.
This method requires a thermostat that can be adjusted automatically. However even with this, homeowners should be sure to study their electric usage patterns and figure out the most cost-effective time to run their air cooling system. Many homeowners save around 25% or more on their energy bills through this method.
To keep the home cool, the homeowner sets their air conditioner to lower temperatures in the morning and keeps it at that temperature for a few hours. This cools the home’s walls furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures as well as the inside air. When peak energy costs hit, the homeowner will increase the temperature of the air conditioner, and leave it running until the next time it’s shut off.
This strategy is effective since cooling doesn’t just refer to making the air in the home cooler. It is essential to stop heat from getting into your home through windows, doors, and other leaky points. That’s why homeowners should double-check that their home is constructed and insulated, and also cover any drafty or leaky areas. Also, they should consider using blinds to block out sun particularly in areas that get direct sunlight that is bright during the hottest times of the day. It is also important to make sure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to prevent air from escape during cooling cycles occur. They should also think about using smart thermostats to assist them remember when to begin and stop cooling. This will allow homeowners to keep their energy costs at a minimum without having to remember to switch off or on.
