Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are one of the most important inventions in the history of modern times. They helped make summer blockbusters and wartime planes and supplies possible.
However, cooling puts a large strain on electricity systems and causes huge amounts of pollution. This particular IEA report raises awareness about the negative impact of this demand, and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a new cooling unit. Making the switch to a more efficient air cooling system will lower your expenses for energy and reduce environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated according to a variety of energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings indicate how the air conditioner is able to cool using a specific amount of electricity. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. You can find a SEER rating on the yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” online.
If you are looking for an air conditioner that is new, choose one with an A+ rating. This rating reveals how the unit performs under normal conditions in a given season. A higher SEER rating could lower the cost of energy and consumption when replacing an older model.
Air conditioning systems can be affected by other elements too. Insufficient humidity in the indoors, the absence of maintenance and duct leaks, for instance, could all make your system work harder and consume additional energy. Regular maintenance and sealing ducts leaks are easy ways to increase the efficiency of your system.
Large commercial cooling systems come with their own energy efficiency considerations also. These systems make use of a combination of split- or packaged compressors, as well as huge pipe networks to distribute cooling throughout the building. They may also incorporate steam systems that require special maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from getting blocked.
In addition the majority of these massive systems are controlled by something called a Building Automation System (BAS) that integrates all heating and cooling systems of the building into a single system. Verde has helped clients improve the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning recommendations that typically have quick paybacks and incentives to implement.
The global effort to combat the effects of climate change is heavily dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air conditioning. We need to ensure that cooling appliances are super-efficient and that consumers demand them. In the meantime, there are other steps we can take to help reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be an important health issue for many people who spend a substantial portion of their lives inside buildings. There are many ways to improve IAQ and prevent common issues like asthma, allergies fatigue, allergies, etc.
Particulate matter and 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 by a variety of activities, including cooking, cleaning, and smoking, and they could cause respiratory problems as well as allergic reactions.
The presence of excessive moisture can also have a negative effect on the quality of air. Moist air encourages the growth of mold and mildew, which can trigger respiratory problems. To prevent this from happening it is essential to monitor humidity and ensure that the moisture level remains at a lower level. The best way to accomplish this is to regularly dust and vacuuming, cleaning bedding and soft furnishings, and using a dehumidifier or humidifier as necessary based on hygrometer readings.
In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ in your home, it can increase comfort in your home. A home with high levels of air pollution for instance, may smell musty. It can also trigger irritation to the eyes, itchy skin and a feeling of suffocation. Installing an air purifier as well as maintaining the HVAC system can help avoid these issues. Also, ensure that you open your windows and doors to let air flow in when needed.
Poor air quality can trigger headaches, difficulty concentrating, and a general feeling of ill-health. These symptoms may resolve when you leave the room however, prolonged exposure to poor air quality can aggravate existing health issues or even cause serious illnesses.
Ventilation is the primary aspect that influences IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, room occupancy rates, and the design of the building. There are a few easy methods to improve IAQ. This includes installing plants in the home, opening doors and windows as often as feasible, and making sure that the HVAC system is working properly. If you’re looking to take it a further, we suggest that you consult a Comfort Specialist about an indoor air assessment.
Smoke Pollution
While central air conditioners do a great job of removing the majority of biological contaminants, like bacteria, molds, pet dander, and pollen, they’re not designed to eliminate smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires is a source of microscopic particles that can cause symptoms such as burning or itchy eye, congestion, runny nasal, and coughing. They can also irritate the lungs and exacerbate heart and lung conditions that are chronic. Smoke particles can trigger a variety of health problems like bronchitis, as well as aggravation of asthma.
The smoke blanketing New York City this week was caused by forest fires in Canada, and it is causing hazardous air quality conditions throughout much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick smoky haze decreases visibility and causes respiratory stress for anyone who must be outdoors.
There is no way to prevent smoke from entering your home through doors and windows, especially in older homes with many cracks and drafts. You can take steps to lessen the amount of smoke entering your building.
Close all windows and doors when it’s smoky. This can reduce the amount of smoke from outside air by 30 percent. Place damp towels in the cracks around door frames and in the corners to slow down the flow of smoky ai.
If your HVAC system is in the recirculation feature, make sure to switch it off during smoky conditions. This allows your HVAC system to take the smokey indoor air, rather than the air being recirculated. If you have ducts within your building that connect to areas that can have high concentrations of pollutants, like parking garages that are attached to the building and loading docks, be certain to have these ducts separated from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends that you change your HVAC filters more frequently during smokey conditions in order to ensure that they are eliminating toxins from indoor air. Select a filter with a minimum reporting value (MERV) that is 13 or higher. These filters are designed to get rid of the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
Supercooling is a trend to save energy that’s become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s based on the idea that electricity costs don’t vary by amount at any given time of the day. In fact, many energy companies offer “time-of-use” plans that feature different rates for off-peak and peak times. Supercooling allows homeowners to pre-cool their homes during off-peak times so that they don’t have to use their air conditioners during those high-cost summer peak times.
This method requires a thermostat with programmable settings that can adjust automatically. However even with this, homeowners need to take the time to study their electric consumption patterns and decide the best time to run their air conditioner. Many homeowners save around 25% or more off their energy bills through this method.
To keep the home cool homeowners, they set their AC to lower temperatures in the morning and keeps it at that setting for a couple of hours. The home’s walls are cooled by the cooling as well as floors, furniture and fixtures, as well as the inside air. When energy costs are high the homeowner, he or she will turn up the temperature, and leave it running until the next time it’s turned off.
This strategy is successful because it doesn’t only mean making the air inside the home cooler. It’s also about stopping heat from entering the home through windows, doors and other leak points. It is crucial that homeowners double-check the insulation of their home and cover any leaky or drafty areas. They should also use window shades to block the sun’s rays particularly in areas that get bright direct sunlight in the hottest parts of the daytime. They should also ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to stop 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 best times of the day. This makes it easier for homeowners to keep their energy bills low without worrying about forgetting to turn off the system or on.
