Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips
Air cooling and conditioning is among the most important inventions of the modern age. They made summer blockbusters, wartime planes and other equipment possible.
Cooling, however, places immense strain on the electricity system and creates huge quantities of pollution. This special IEA report raises awareness about the impact of this demand and offers solutions.
Energy Efficiency
When choosing the right cooling system, energy efficiency is a key aspect. The upgrade to a more efficient cooling system will lower your expenses for energy and reduce the environmental impact. The energy efficiency of air conditioners is evaluated in a variety of ways such as SEER and EER. These ratings tell you how the air conditioner is able to cool using a specific amount of electricity. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. You can find the system’s SEER rating on its yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” on the internet.
If you are looking for an air conditioner that is new, choose one with a high rating. This rating indicates how the unit performs in normal conditions during a given season. If you’re replacing a model that’s older with a higher SEER rating will drastically reduce your energy consumption and expenses.
Other factors can impact the efficiency of energy in air conditioning systems, too. High indoor humidity, the absence of maintenance and duct leaks, for instance, can cause your system to be more demanding and consume more energy. Keeping up with routine maintenance and sealing leaks in ducts are easy ways to improve your system’s energy efficiency.
Large commercial cooling systems have their own energy efficiency considerations, too. They use a combination of split- or packaged compressors, as well as huge pipe networks to provide cooling throughout the building. They may also include steam systems, which require specialized maintenance in order to ensure that the pipes do not become blocked.
Additionally the majority of these massive systems are controlled by something called a Building Automation System (BAS) which connects all heating and cooling systems in the building into one centralized system. Verde has helped clients improve the performance of these systems through simple retrocommissioning guidelines that typically provide quick paybacks and incentives for their implementation.
The global effort to combat climate change is heavily dependent on energy efficiency in cooling and air-conditioning. Ultimately, we need to ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling devices to market, and consumers are demanding these appliances. In the meantime, there are a variety of ways we can help cut our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality can be an important health issue for many people who spend a large part of their lives inside buildings. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to improve IAQ that can help stop common issues like asthma, allergies, and fatigue.
Particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide are the three main sources for pollution 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.
A high level of humidity can also create havoc on the quality of air. The humid air encourages the growth of mildew and mold that can trigger respiratory issues. Monitoring humidity and keeping the humidity low is key to preventing these issues. This can be done by regularly cleaning and vacuuming, washing bedding, cushions and using a humidifier or dehumidifier based on the humidity gauge.
Apart from the obvious health benefits, improving IAQ can increase comfort in the home. A home with high levels of air pollution for instance, may smell musty. It can also cause irritated or itchy eyes, as well as a stuffy sensation. Installing an air purifier as well as maintaining the HVAC system can help to prevent these issues. Also, ensure that you open your windows and doors to let air flow in when needed.
The signs of poor air quality are varied and can include headaches difficulties in concentrating, or a general feeling of malaise. The symptoms can resolve after leaving the area, but prolonged exposure to poor air quality can aggravate existing health issues or even cause serious illness.
The main factor that affects IAQ is the rate at which fresh air replaces the old air, a process known as ventilation. This can be affected by the weather, room occupancy rates, as well as the design of the building. But, a few simple steps can be taken to improve IAQ by introducing plants into the house opening up windows and doors as much as possible and making sure that the HVAC system is functioning correctly. For those who would prefer more of a thorough approach, it is suggested to speak with a Comfort Specialist about an assessment of indoor air quality.
Smoke Pollution
Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are effective at removing biological pollutants such as molds, bacteria pollen, pet dander, and mold. However they are not able to remove 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 your lungs and aggravate chronic heart and lung conditions. Smoke particles can cause variety of health problems like bronchitis, as well as aggravation of asthma.
The smoke that has blanketed New York City this week has been 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 can cause breathing difficulties for those who is outdoors.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent smoky air from entering your home or business through doors and windows, especially older homes with many drafts and cracks. You can take steps to lessen the amount of smoke that enters your building.
Keep all doors and windows closed when it is smoky outside. This can reduce the amount of smoke in the outside air by 30%. If you can, put wet towels around the door frames and cracks to stop the movement of smoky air into your home or business.
If your HVAC system has an recirculation feature, make sure you switch it off when the air is smoking. This will allow your HVAC to take the smokey indoor air instead of the air being recirculated. If you have ducts within your building that connect to areas that could produce high concentrations of contaminants, such as parking garages that are attached to the building and loading docks, make certain to have these ducts separated from the rest of the duct system.
The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters much more often during times of smoke to ensure that they are effective in eliminating the toxins from the air inside. Select a filter that has a minimum efficiency report value (MERV) of 13 or higher, as these filters are specially designed to remove the smoke and other gaseous air contaminants.
Supercooling
In recent times, supercooling has become a popular energy-saving technique. It’s based on the idea that electricity costs different amounts at different times of the day. In fact, most energy companies offer “time-of-use” plans that feature different peak and off-peak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners cool their homes ahead of off-peak times, so they don’t require air conditioners during those costly summer peak hours.
This requires a thermostat that is able to adjust itself automatically. However, even with this, homeowners must be sure to look up their electric usage patterns and figure out the most cost-effective time to run their air conditioner. This strategy could save you as much as 25% on your energy bills.
To supercool the home homeowners should set their air conditioner at lower temperatures the next morning and keep it there for a few more hours. This cools the walls as well as floors, furniture and fixtures as well as the inside air. When the energy costs are at their peak, the homeowner will turn the air conditioning up and leave it on until the next time it is turned off.
This method is efficient because it doesn’t only mean making the air inside the house 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 their home’s insulation and insulate any drafty or leaky areas. It is also recommended to use blinds to block the sun’s rays particularly those that receive direct sunlight that is bright during the hottest parts of the day. Also, they should make sure that all windows and doors are tightly sealed to stop air from escape during cooling cycles. Finally, they should consider using smart thermostats to assist them in ensuring that they start and stop cooling at the ideal times of the day. This helps homeowners cut their energy bills without having to remember when to switch on or off the system.
