Energy Efficient Cooling and Air Conditioning Tips

Air cooling and conditioning is one of the most important inventions of our time. They made summer blockbusters possible and helped boost production for wartime supplies and airplanes.

However cooling puts a huge burden on electrical systems and causes huge amounts of pollution. This particular IEA Report aims to raise awareness of the impact and provides solutions.

Energy Efficiency

When selecting an air conditioner energy efficiency is a key factor. Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner and you’ll reduce your energy costs and reduce the environmental impact. Air conditioners are rated using a variety of energy efficiency ratings, such as SEER, EER, and HSPF. These ratings show how the air conditioner is able to cool with a certain amount of electricity. The higher the rating the more efficient the unit. You can locate a SEER rating on the yellow Energy Guide label or by searching for “SEER ratings” on the internet.

If you are 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 during the course of a season in normal conditions. If you’re replacing an older model, a higher SEER rating will significantly reduce your energy use and cost.

Other factors can affect the efficiency of energy in air conditioning systems, too. Insufficient humidity in the indoors, lack of maintenance and duct leaks, for instance, can make your system perform more efficiently and consume more energy. Making sure you are keeping up with routine maintenance and sealing leaks from ducts are simple steps to increase the efficiency of your system.

Commercial cooling systems are also subject to energy efficiency issues. 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 special maintenance to prevent the pipes from getting blocked.

In addition to that, many of these huge systems are controlled by something called a Building Automation System (BAS) which connects all cooling and heating systems in the building into one centralized system. Verde has assisted in optimizing the efficiency of these systems by providing retrocommissioning strategies that offer rapid paybacks.

The global effort to combat the effects of climate change is heavily dependent on the efficiency of energy used in cooling and air conditioning. Ultimately, we need to ensure that manufacturers introduce super-efficient cooling appliances to market, and consumers want them. In the meantime, there are a variety of actions we can take to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality can be a major health risk for those who spend a significant portion of their time in buildings. There are many ways to improve IAQ and avoid common ailments like allergies, asthma, fatigue, etc.

Particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide are the three most frequent pollutants in modern workplaces and homes. These pollutants are released into the air through many different activities, including cooking, cleaning, or smoking, and they can cause respiratory problems as well as allergic reactions.

The presence of excessive moisture can also have a negative effect on the quality of air. The humid air encourages the growth of mildew and mold which can cause respiratory problems. To prevent this from happening it is essential to keep an eye on humidity levels and ensure that the moisture level remains at a lower level. The best way to accomplish this is to regularly dust and vacuuming, washing furniture and bedding, and using the dehumidifier or humidifier when necessary based on hygrometer readings.

In addition to the obvious health benefits of improving IAQ in your home, it can improve the comfort of your home. For instance, a house with a lot of air pollution can be stale and smell unpleasant. It can also trigger irritated or itchy eyes, as well as a stuffy sensation. These issues can be prevented 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 required.

The symptoms of poor air quality can be varied and can include headaches difficulties in concentrating, or general feeling of malaise. While these symptoms can resolve themselves after leaving a space, prolonged exposure to air pollution can exacerbate existing health conditions and may lead to serious health issues.

Ventilation is the main aspect that influences IAQ. This can be affected by the weather, occupancy rates, and also the design of the structure. There are many methods to improve IAQ. This includes adding plants to the home, opening the doors and windows whenever possible, and ensuring that the HVAC system is operating properly. 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 heat pumps and central air conditioners do a great job of filtering out the majority of biological pollutants, such as molds, bacteria, pet dander, and pollen, they are not specifically designed to remove smoke particles. The microscopic particles in wildfire smoke are very dangerous and can easily get into your nose, eyes and throat, and cause symptoms such as burning eyes or itchy eyes, congestion, a runny nose and coughing. They can also cause irritation to your lungs and aggravate chronic heart and lung conditions. Smoke particles can cause range of health issues, including bronchitis and aggravated asthma.

The smoke that has blanketed New York City this week has been caused by forest fires in Canada, and it is causing dangerous air quality conditions across much of the northern US and southern Canada. The dense smoky fog reduces visibility, and can cause respiratory stress for anyone who has to be outside.

There is no way to keep smoke from getting into your home through your windows and doors particularly in older homes 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 smoky. 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 movement of smoky air into your business or home.

If your HVAC system is in a recirculation mode, be sure to switch it off during smoky conditions. This will allow the system expel the smoke directly outside rather than returning it to inside. If your structure has ducts that connect to areas where contamination is likely to be high, for instance loading docks and parking garages it is important to ensure that these ducts are kept away from the rest.

The EPA recommends changing your HVAC filters more frequently during smokey conditions to ensure they are effectively removing the toxins from the air inside. Select a filter that has a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or more, since these filters are designed to eliminate the smoke and other gaseous air pollutants.

Supercooling

In recent years, supercooling has become an energy-saving method that is popular. It’s based on the notion that electricity costs different amounts at different times of the day. Most electricity companies offer “time of use” plans that have different off-peak and peak rates. Supercooling allows homeowners to cool their homes in advance during off-peak hours, meaning they don’t require air conditioners during those costly summer peak hours.

This requires a thermostat with programmable settings that can adjust 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. Many people save about 25% or more off their energy bills through this method.

To supercool the home, the homeowner should set their AC at a lower temperature the next morning and then keep it there for a few more hours. This cools the home’s walls, floors, furnishings and fixtures as well as the inside air. When the energy costs are at their peak the homeowner, he or she will increase the temperature of the air conditioner, and leave it running until the next time it is shut off.

This method is effective because cooling isn’t just about keeping the air inside the house cool. It’s also about preventing heat from entering the home through doors, windows and other leak points. This is why homeowners should ensure that their home is constructed and insulated, and also insulate any leaky or drafty areas. It is also recommended to use window covers to block the sunlight, particularly in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. It is also important to ensure that all windows and doors are sealed tightly to stop air from getting out during cooling cycles occur. Additionally, they should think about using smart thermostats to help them remember to start and stop cooling at the most optimal times of the day. This makes it easier for homeowners to keep their energy costs low and not worry about forgetting to switch off or on.