Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning and cooling is one of the most significant inventions of the modern age. They were instrumental in making summer blockbusters and wartime planes and other equipment possible.
However, cooling puts a large strain on electricity systems and generates huge quantities of pollution. This particular IEA report raises awareness about the impact of this demand, and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When selecting a new cooling system, energy efficiency is a crucial factor. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner and you’ll save money on energy bills, as well as reduce the environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated using 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 the SEER rating on the yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” on the internet.
When looking for an air conditioner for the first time look for one that has an A+ rating. This rating indicates how well the unit performs under normal conditions in a given season. A higher SEER rating can reduce the cost of energy and consumption if you are replacing an older model.
Other factors can impact the efficiency of energy in air conditioning systems, too. A high humidity indoors, a the absence of maintenance and duct leaks, for example, can all make your system be more demanding and consume more energy. Keeping up with routine maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are simple steps to increase your system’s energy efficiency.
Large commercial cooling systems have their own energy efficiency concerns as well. They use a combination of split- or packaged compressors, as well as huge pipeline networks to supply cooling throughout the building. These systems could also incorporate steam systems that require specialized maintenance in order to prevent the pipes from getting blocked.
Many of these systems can also be controlled with an Building Automation System, which integrates the heating and cooling systems into a single centralized system. Verde has helped clients optimize the performance of these systems by providing simple retrocommissioning suggestions that usually provide quick paybacks and incentives for implementation.
Energy efficiency in cooling and air conditioning is a key element of global efforts to mitigate climate change. We need to ensure that cooling appliances are extremely efficient and that consumers want these appliances. In the meantime, we can take other measures to reduce our energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is a serious health concern for many people who spend a significant portion of their time in buildings. There are a variety of ways to improve IAQ and prevent common problems such as asthma, allergies, fatigue, etc.
Particulate matter (PM) as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three most frequent pollutants in modern workplaces and homes. These pollutants can be released into the atmosphere through a variety of actions like cooking, cleaning, and smoking. They can cause allergies and respiratory issues.
The high levels of humidity can also cause destruction on the air quality. Moisture can encourage the growth of mold and mildew that can trigger respiratory problems. To prevent these issues it is crucial to monitor humidity and keep the moisture at a minimum. The best way to accomplish this is by regularly dusting and vacuuming, washing bedding and furniture, and using an air dehumidifier and humidifier if needed based on the readings of a hygrometer.
Apart from the obvious health benefits, improving IAQ can improve the comfort of homes. A home with high levels of air pollution, for example, can smell musty. It can also trigger irritation to eyes, itchy skin and a feeling of suffocation. Installing an air purifier and keeping the HVAC system can help prevent these issues. Also, make sure that you open your windows and doors for ventilation when needed.
The symptoms of poor air quality can be varied and can include headaches, difficulties in concentrating, or a general malaise. These symptoms may improve after leaving the space however, prolonged exposure to poor air quality can worsen existing health conditions or even cause serious illnesses.
Ventilation is the most important aspect that influences IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rates, and the design of the structure. However, simple steps can be taken to improve IAQ, including introduction of plants into the home opening up windows and doors as much as is possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is operating properly. If you want to go one step further, we suggest you consult a Comfort Specialist regarding an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
While heat pumps and central air conditioners do a fantastic job of filtering out most biological pollutants, such as molds, bacteria, pet dander, and pollen, they’re not designed to eliminate smoke particles. The tiny particles that make up wildfire smoke pose a risk and can easily enter your nose, eyes and throat, causing symptoms like burning or itchy eyes congestion, runny nose, and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and worsen chronic lung and heart problems. Smoke particles can cause variety health effects such as bronchitis and aggravation of asthma.
The smoke that blanketed New York City last week was caused by forest fires that are burning in Canada. It can also cause dangerous air quality conditions throughout large parts of the south and north of the United States. The thick fog of smoke reduces visibility, and can cause respiratory stress to anyone who is required to be outside.
There is no way to stop smoke from entering your home through windows and doors especially in older houses with a lot of drafts and cracks. You can take steps to lessen the amount of smoke that enters your home or business.
Close all windows and doors when it’s smokey. This can cut the amount of smoky air by 30 percent. Place damp towels in the cracks and around door frames to stop the flow of smoke.
If your HVAC system has an recirculation mode, make sure to switch off when you are in a smokey environment. This will allow your HVAC system to exhaust the smoky indoor air to the outside instead of returning it. If you have ducts within your building that connect to areas that could produce high concentrations of contaminants, such as attached parking garages and loading docks, make certain to have these ducts separated from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA suggests changing your HVAC filters more frequently during times of smoke to ensure they are effectively removing the toxins from the indoor air. Select a filter that has an efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or greater, as these filters are specially designed to eliminate the smoke and other gaseous air contaminants.
Supercooling
Supercooling is a trend to save energy that has become more popular in recent years. It’s based upon the notion that electricity doesn’t cost the same amount at all times of the day. Most electricity companies offer “time of use” plans that offer different off-peak and 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 those high-cost summer peak times.
This method requires a programmable thermostat that can be adjusted automatically. Even with this, homeowners still need to be aware of their electricity usage patterns to determine the time when their air conditioner is most cost-effective. This strategy can save you up to 25 percent on your energy bills.
To keep the home cool homeowners should set their air conditioner at a lower temperature the next morning and then keep it there for a few hours. This cools the home’s walls furniture, floors, flooring and fixtures, as well as the interior air. When the energy costs are at their peak, the homeowner will turn the air conditioning up, and leave it running until the next time it is shut off.
This method works because cooling isn’t only about making the air inside the house cool. It’s also about preventing heat from getting into the house through doors, windows and other leak points. It is essential that homeowners check their homes’ insulation and seal any leaky or drafty areas. It is also recommended to cover windows to block out the sun, particularly in areas that receive direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. They should also make sure that all doors and windows are sealed tightly to prevent air from escaping when cooling cycles. Finally, they should consider using smart thermostats to help them remember to start and stop cooling at the ideal times of the day. This will allow homeowners to cut down on their energy costs without worrying about forgetting to turn on or off the system.
