Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling are among the most important inventions in the history of modern times. They made summer movie blockbusters possible and also helped boost production for wartime supplies and airplanes.
Cooling, however, puts enormous strain on the electricity system and produces huge amounts of pollution. This particular IEA report raises awareness about the effects of this demand, and provides solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing a new cooling system energy efficiency is an important factor. The upgrade to a more efficient 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 much a unit can cool for a given amount of energy consumed. The higher the rating is, the more efficient the unit. You can locate a SEER rating of a system on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” on the internet.
If you are in the market for a new air conditioner, choose one with a high rating. This rating shows how well the unit performs under normal conditions during a given season. A higher SEER rating could reduce your energy costs and consumption when replacing an older model.
Air conditioning systems can be affected by other factors too. For instance, high indoor humidity levels, lack of maintenance, and duct leaks can make your system work harder and consume more energy. Maintaining your system with regular maintenance and sealing leaks in ducts are easy steps to improve your system’s energy efficiency.
Large commercial cooling systems have their own energy efficiency considerations also. These systems use a combination split- or packaged compressors, as well as huge pipe networks to provide cooling throughout the building. They could also include steam systems, which require specialized maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from becoming blocked.
In addition the majority of these massive systems are controlled by what’s called a Building Automation System (BAS) which connects all heating and cooling systems within the building into one central system. Verde has been able to improve the efficiency of systems by providing retrocommissioning strategies that offer quick paybacks.
The global effort to combat the impact of climate change is largely dependent on the efficiency of cooling and air conditioning. Ultimately, we need to ensure that manufacturers bring highly efficient cooling devices to market, and that consumers are demanding these appliances. In the meantime, there are a variety of steps we can take to help reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is an important health issue for those who spend a significant portion of their time in buildings. There are a variety of ways to improve IAQ and prevent common issues like asthma, allergies, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three main sources for pollution in modern workplaces and homes. These pollutants are released into the air through various activities, including cooking, cleaning, or smoking, and they could lead to respiratory issues and allergic reactions.
A high level of humidity can also wreak havoc on the quality of air. Moisture can encourage the development of mildew and mold that can trigger respiratory issues. To prevent these issues it is crucial to monitor humidity and keep the moisture level at a low level. This can be achieved by regularly cleaning and vacuuming, washing bedding, soft furnishings and making use of a humidifier or dehumidifier that is based on the humidifier or hygrometer.
Aside from the obvious health benefits as well as the obvious health benefits, improving IAQ can enhance the comfort in the home. For instance, a home with a lot of air pollution can turn musty and odor unpleasant. It can also trigger irritation to eyes, itchy skin and a snoring feeling. These issues can be avoided by installing an air purifier, ensuring the health of the HVAC system, and ensuring that doors and windows are opened to allow air circulation when needed.
Symptoms of poor air quality can be varied and can include headaches, difficulty in concentrating, and a general malaise. These symptoms may improve when you leave the room, but prolonged exposure to poor air quality could exacerbate existing health issues or even trigger serious illness.
Ventilation is the main aspect that influences IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, room occupancy rates, and also the design of the structure. There are simple methods to improve IAQ. This can be done by installing plants in the home, opening windows and doors whenever possible, and making sure that the HVAC system is working properly. If you’d like to take a more thorough approach, it is recommended to consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
While central air conditioners do a fantastic job of filtering out most biological pollutants, such as molds, bacteria and pet dander pollen, they’re not designed to eliminate smoke particles. Smoke from wildfires is a source of microscopic particles that can trigger symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congested nasal, runny nose, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to the lungs and cause worsening of chronic lung and heart conditions. Smoke particles can cause a variety health effects, including bronchitis and aggravated asthma.
The smoke blanketing New York City this week is the result of forest fires in Canada, and it is causing hazardous air quality conditions across much of the northern US and southern Canada. The thick smoky fog can reduce visibility, and can cause respiratory stress for anyone who has to be outdoors.
There is no way to keep smoke from entering your home through doors and windows particularly in older homes with many cracks and drafts. However you can take steps to reduce the amount of smoke entering your building.
Close all doors and windows when it’s smoky. This will reduce the amount of smoky air by 30 percent. Place wet towels in the cracks of door frames and around them to slow down the flow of smoky ai.
If your HVAC system has a recirculation mode, be sure to switch it off during smoky conditions. This will allow the system eliminate the smoke outside, rather than returning it to inside. If your building 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.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more often during times of smoke to ensure they’re effectively removing the toxins from the indoor air. Choose a filter that has the minimum reporting value (MERV) that is 13 or greater. These filters are designed to eliminate the smoke and gaseous pollution from the air.
Supercooling
Supercooling is an energy-saving trend that has become more popular in recent years. It’s based on the notion that electricity isn’t priced the same amount at any time of the day. Most energy companies offer “time of use” plans with different peak and offpeak rates. Supercooling lets homeowners to cool their homes in advance during off-peak times, so they don’t need to run air conditioners during the expensive summer peak hours.
This method requires a thermostat with programmable settings that is able to adjust itself automatically. However, even with this, homeowners need to take the time to look up their electric consumption patterns and decide when it’s most cost-effective to run their air cooling system. Many homeowners save around 25% or more off their energy bills using this method.
To make the house super cool the home, the homeowner set their AC to lower temperatures in the morning and maintains it at that setting for a couple of hours. This cools down the floors, walls, furniture, and fixtures of the house as well as the air inside. When peak energy costs hit, the homeowner will turn up the temperature and leave it on until the next time it’s shut off.
This strategy works because cooling isn’t only about keeping the air inside the home cool. It’s important to prevent heat from getting into your home through windows, doors and other leaky areas. It’s important that homeowners double-check their home’s insulation and insulate any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use blinds to block sun light, especially those that get bright direct sunlight in the hottest parts of the day. They should also ensure that all doors and windows are tightly sealed to prevent air from getting out during cooling cycles occur. They should also consider using smart thermostats to help them remember when to begin and stop cooling. This will allow homeowners to cut down on their energy bills without having to remember when to switch on or off the system.