Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are among the most significant inventions of the history of modern times. They made blockbuster summer movies possible and helped boost production for wartime supplies as well as airplanes.
Cooling, however, places enormous strain on the electricity system and creates huge quantities of pollution. This special IEA report raises awareness about the impact of this demand, and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Efficiency in energy is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a new cooling system. Upgrading to an efficient air conditioner will save on your energy costs and also reduce environmental impacts. The energy efficiency of air conditioning units is assessed in various ways such as SEER and EER. These ratings tell you how much a unit can cool for a given amount of power consumed. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit. You can find the SEER rating on the yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” online.
When looking for a new air conditioner look for one that has an A+ rating. This rating indicates how efficiently the unit can perform in normal conditions. If you’re replacing a model that’s older with a higher SEER rating will significantly reduce your energy consumption and cost.
Air conditioning systems can be affected by other elements as well. For example high levels of humidity in the indoor, lack of maintenance, and duct leaks could all make your system work harder and use more energy. Routine maintenance and sealing ducts leaks are easy ways to increase the energy efficiency of your system.
Commercial cooling systems are also susceptible to concerns about energy efficiency. These systems use a combination split or packaged compressors as well as massive pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. They may also incorporate steam systems that require specialized maintenance to keep the pipes from becoming blocked.
Additionally to that, many of these huge systems are controlled by a system called a Building Automation System (BAS) which connects all heating and cooling systems within the building into one centralized system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems with simple retrocommissioning recommendations that typically offer quick paybacks as well as incentives for implementation.
The global effort to curb climate change is heavily dependent on the efficiency of cooling and air-conditioning. In the end, we have to ensure that manufacturers bring super-efficient cooling devices to market, and consumers want them. In the meantime we can take additional steps to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
A lot of people spend the majority of their lives in buildings and these structures can pose significant health threats when the indoor air quality is not as good. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems such as asthma, allergies, and fatigue.
Particulate matter as well as volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide are three of the most common sources of pollution in modern homes and office buildings. These pollutants are released into the air due to various activities, such as cooking, cleaning, or smoking, and they could cause respiratory problems as well as allergic reactions.
The presence of excessive moisture can also have a negative effect on air quality. Moisture can encourage the growth of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory problems. Monitoring humidity and keeping the moisture level low is essential to avoid 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 humidifier or hygrometer.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ It can also increase the comfort in your home. For instance, a house with a lot of air pollution can turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also cause irritation or itchy eyes, as well as a stuffy sensation. Installing an air purifier and maintaining the HVAC system can help avoid these issues. Also, ensure that you open your windows and doors for ventilation whenever you need to.
Poor air quality can trigger headaches, concentration problems and a general feeling of feeling of ill-health. While these symptoms will disappear after leaving the space, prolonged exposure can cause health problems that are already present and could lead to serious illness.
The main factor that affects IAQ is the speed at which fresh air replaces stale air, a process referred to as ventilation. This is affected by the weather conditions, the room occupancy rate, and the design. There are many methods to improve IAQ. This includes installing plants in the home, opening the doors and windows as often as feasible, and making sure that the HVAC system works correctly. If you’d like to take an even more comprehensive approach, it is recommended to consult a Comfort Specialist about an indoor air quality assessment.
Smoke Pollution
While central air conditioners do an excellent job of removing the majority of biological pollutants, such as molds, bacteria, pet dander, and pollen, they are not designed to remove smoke particles. The tiny particles that make up smoke from wildfires are extremely dangerous, and they can easily enter your eyes, nose and throat, which can cause symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congestion, runny nose, and coughing. They can also irritate the lungs and exacerbate the severity of heart and lung problems. The invisible fine particles in smoke can clog your lung, triggering a range of health effects, including an increase in asthma, bronchitis, and damage to your heart and lungs.
The smoke blanketing New York City this week was caused by forest fires in Canada and is causing hazardous air quality conditions throughout much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick fog of smoke reduces visibility, and can cause respiratory stress for anyone who has to be outside.
There is no way to stop smoke from entering your home through windows and doors particularly in older homes with many cracks and drafts. However you can take steps to minimize the amount of smoke that enters your home or business.
Close all doors and windows when it’s smokey. This can cut down on the amount of smoky outside air by 30 percent. If possible, place wet towels on the door frames and cracks to slow the flow of smoke into your home or business.
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 exhaust the smoky air directly outside, rather than recirculating it inside. If you have ducts within your building which connect to areas that could generate high levels of contaminants, such as parking garages that are attached to the building and loading docks, be sure to have those ducts separate from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more often during smokey conditions in order to ensure that they are eliminating pollutants from the air in your home. Choose a filter with a minimum efficiency report value (MERV) of 13 or greater, as these filters are specially designed to remove gases and smoke contaminants.
Supercooling
Supercooling is an energy-saving trend that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s based on the notion that electricity costs don’t vary by amount at all times of the day. Most power companies offer “time of use” plans with different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling allows homeowners to pre-cool their homes during off-peak hours, so they don’t have to use their air conditioners during those high-cost summer peak hours.
This method requires an automated thermostat that can be programmed. However, even with this, homeowners should take the time to examine their electricity usage patterns and determine when it’s most cost-effective to run their air conditioning. Many homeowners save around 25% or more off their energy bills by using this method.
To cool the house homeowners should set their AC at an lower temperature the following morning and maintain it for a few more hours. This cools down the floors, walls furniture, fixtures and furniture of the home as well as the air inside. When peak energy-cost hours hit, the homeowner turns the air conditioning up and then leaves it running until it is turned off for several hours again.
This strategy is successful since cooling doesn’t just refer to making the air inside the home cooler. It’s also about preventing heat from entering the house through windows, doors and other leak points. That’s why homeowners should double-check that their homes are properly sealed and cover any drafty or leaky areas. They should also make use of window shades to block out the sun, especially in areas that get direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. They should also ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to stop air from escape during cooling cycles are in progress. They should also think about using smart thermostats to help them remember when to start and stop cooling. This helps homeowners cut their energy bills without having to remember when to switch on or off the system.
