Wonder How Much You Can Save?

Source: http://www.acdoctor.com/cooling_calculator.php last access 10/27/08. Information regarding resources and how much you can save if you upgrade to a newer model conditioner.

So you are thinking about upgrading to a newer air conditioning or heating system because you keep hearing things about green this and save energy that?

How about seeing actual savings in the form of: 1. Money 2. Trees/Carbon emissions saved and 3. Energy preserved. Their calculator will also tell you how many years it will take for you to recover the initial cost of installation/upgrade. With all of your options (even you kw/h rate) weighed out for you, the decision becomes much easier. Below is an example quote (using rough, estimates instead of actual numbers) for the air conditioning system that was installed in my home this last March. This bottom chart shows what I could recover over the lifetime of the unit. A pretty good way to make a decision if you ask me. Check it out.

Tips from the ACEEE!

Source: http://aceee.org/consumerguide/cooling.htm The ACEEE or American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (Imagine embroidering that on your lapel...)provides a consumer guide to improving air conditioner efficiency, whether that's simply 'cool'-proofing your home, or starting with a brand new system they have suggestions for you. The part of their page that I am going to highlight with this post is the 3rd step or selecting a new system. They don't give calculations on what brand names are particularly better than others, but rather approach the issue as what types of things one should look for. The ACEEE looks at Air conditioners/heat pumps, evaporative coolers, room air conditioners and even duct-less mini-splits. (I only posted information about central ac/heat pumps here, but please check their website for more information.) Here's what they had to say about central air conditioning/heat pumps:

Central AC and Heat Pumps
Central air conditioners and air source heat pumps are both widely used in the U.S. and are the best option for maintaining comfort in areas that experience high humidity. Heat pumps are much more efficient than central air conditioners and can be used very effectively both for heating and cooling in southeastern states. Both central AC and air source heat pumps are rated according to seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). This is the cooling output divided by the power input for a hypothetical average U.S. climate. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner. To get the best performance and highest efficiency possible from your new system, consider the following:

• ACEEE recommends SEER of at least 14.5 In all climates, ACEEE recommends consumers purchase new cooling equipment at the ENERGY STAR level. If you live in a very hot-humid climate, consider the advanced efficiency levels as defined by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). Your utility may offer incentives for equipment at these levels. Air conditioners and heat pumps meeting these performance criteria can be found by running a search in the ARI/CEE HVAC Directory.
• ACEEE recommends EER of at least 11.6 This ensures the unit is efficient throughout the year and when it is needed most (on the hottest days). If you live in a hot-dry climate, ACEEE recommends a high SEER (15) but a high EER is less important: 11.5 or 11.6 is adequate. Better yet, consider an evaporative cooler instead.

ACEEE reminds homeowners that with an upgrade, especially to a SEER of 14 or more, there are considerable energy savings that go with it. To fully calculate this number (you will need to know how much your electric company charges kilowatt per hour (or however your electricity is measured)). Energy price calculators can be found a couple different places: Energystar.gov has a calculator, many of the brand names (carrier, bryant, etc.) have calculators on their websites, and your electricity company may even have a calculator of their own (probably a more accurate count of your own electrical charges). Another important thing to remember is to make sure your indoor and outdoor units match - because if they don't the life of the 'younger' unit will be very short and the units will not be running at the appropriate SEER. This is important because if the condenser and the furnace don't match, you will not save money or energy and the units will not work like they are supposed to. The ACEEE has many other helpful homeowner tips, media links and other sources of information. Other sources for finding an air conditioner are posted on the website: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/air-conditioner-reviews/reviews.html

MOVIE NIGHT!!!

OK, seriously, you will have to bear with me for this entry. I will admit, the video is a little old - originally prepared in 2006 when all of the air conditioners were forced to become more efficient. So, some of the information will not make any sense - like if you are replacing your air now, you don't need to make sure that they are going to replace your indoor coil (they are already going to do that). The video is also a bit gender biased, for this I apologize. However, the animation is pretty easy to follow, and it presents a good way to explain why having a matched system is so important. The questions to be asked to contractors might also be helpful for those looking to be extra thorough.

This video is presented by a company called Coleman who specializes in Air Conditioning and Heating Units. Their video library can be found at http://www.colemanac.com/colemantv/index.asp. This same video is also available in Spanish and you can choose your definition.

All in all, it's a pretty good way to understand how an air conditioner works.

ICE for Energy?

LaMonica, Martin. “Throwing Cold Water on Energy-Hog Air Conditioners” CNET News.com Published May 17, 2007. http://news.cnet.com/Throwing-cold-water-on-energy-hog-air-conditioners/2100-11392_3-6184646.html?tag=nw.1 last access 7/21/08. So, with all this talk of energy saving appliances and doing “our” part for the environment, ever wonder why it has taken such a long time to develop technology that doesn’t harm the environment in heating and cooling systems? While energy star rated air conditioning appliances are much more efficient than their non-rated counterparts, there is still a long way to go before air conditioning is truly “green” or efficient. Two companies recently unveiled their “new” technology, quite similar to a geothermal heat pump in which ice/cold water is used to cool the systems instead of high pressured chemicals. These new systems would store their water in an underground ‘tank’ creating cooling energy at night (saving money in energy costs through off-peak usage). Then the coolness from the water (or ice) is then used to make the air cooler in the home. These companies are focusing mainly on bigger industrial units, but plan to also cater to residential homes. Perhaps the technique isn’t perfected yet, but it might be a step in the right direction… You decide. The full article is featured on cnet’s news website and there are several interesting comments. I’m not saying that you should go out and demand your own ice utilizing cooling system, but it is a technology to watch…

Whatever Did People Do Before Air Conditioning?

As a history buff, I cannot resist sharing this blog article with you! Located at http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/7424. This online blog ‘spot’ “provides knowledge junkies with their fix” and shares interesting and little known facts. This particular blog piece describes life before air conditioning. The author ‘Miss Cellania’ included period pictures and topics such as subtropolis.

The piece tells about different ‘experimental’ ways to keep the home cool. Houses, in the earliest of times resembled caves and provided 50-degree comfort in the summer (and winter). Then, as society (and perhaps building practices) developed, techniques to help the cooling process introduced the 10 ft high ceiling, ceiling fans and wrap around porches. However helpful they were, these early cooling devices still fell short of the cooling capacity provided by today’s air conditioner.

What about today’s air conditioners? Well, if your air conditioner is “more than 8 years old, it’s time to get a new one” according to National Geographic’s Green Guide. Their Guide (http://www.thegreenguide.com/products/Appliances/Air%20Conditioners%20(Central) ) explains how to choose the best air conditioner for your home, but also the “back story” of why so much of this SEER rating and environmental control is necessary. They also give some examples of conditioning units that are better “green” buys. They even include a section dedicated to ‘personal health’ and how an air conditioner can either help or harm the homeowner.

“In the midst of sweltering heat waves, air conditioning can be a lifesaver, protecting against heat stroke and hyperthermia. But, without proper maintenance, air conditioners can also be a health hazard. Dirty filters can allow allergens, pesticides and other particulate matter to enter your home from the outside, posing threats to indoor air quality. Exposure to those pollutants can trigger a host of health problems, including allergies and asthma and eye, nose and throat irritation. In offices and schools, those symptoms signify "sick building syndrome," caused by improperly ventilated air conditioning systems, and health problems don't always disappear after an extended period away from the building. Repeated bouts of air conditioner fever, a particularly nasty form of sick building syndrome, can result in pulmonary fibrosis, cough, fatigue and weight loss and sometimes require hospitalization. Ozone depletion caused by HCFCs in the atmosphere also poses health risks. The UN Environment Programme estimates that exposure to the additional UV-B radiation resulting from 10 percent loss of global ozone could lead to 300,000 additional cases of squamous cell cancer and basal cell cancer and 4,500-9,000 additional cases of potentially fatal melanoma worldwide each year. Increased exposure to UV-B rays also poses a significant threat to animal and plant life and consequently many of the earth's food chains.”

Their excellent article concludes with a section that provides links to other articles that may be helpful. Related Articles From the Green Guide: "Keep Your Cool With Less AC," www.thegreenguide.com/doc/121/cool "Ventilating, Vacumming and Filtering Out Allergens," www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/ventilating From Outside Sources: Air Conditioning Contractors of America:http://www.acca.org/ American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: http://www.aceee.org/, 202-429-8873 Energy Star: http://www.energystar.gov/, 888-STAR-YES Rocky Mountain Institute: http://www.rmi.org/, 970-927-3851 References A Guide to Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling. Energy Star. May 2005. Choose Green Report: Room Air Conditioning. Green Seal. Summer 1999. "Home Energy Brief - #3 Space Cooling." Rocky Mountain Institute, www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid119.php The Most Energy-Efficient Appliances 2005. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. "Residential Central Air Conditioners and Air-Source Heat Pumps Qualified Product List." Energy Star, February 2006, http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/prod_lists/cac_prod_list.pdf%20 Wilson, A. et al. Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2003. --By Solvie Karlstrom, June 2007

Happy Friday to all! And I hope you have an excellent weekend with plenty of rest. Keep cool – according to the heat index, this weekend is going to be warm. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Problems with the website? Email amanda At Sinclairair Dot Com (My email is also posted on the main frame of the blog) and I’ll do my best to see that everything gets taken care of. I’d love to hear from you.

Easy Tips to Make a Difference in Your Cooling Bill!

“Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 45% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling."

The first rule of thumb in any type of equipment (especially in the home) is maintenance. If your heating and cooling system is serviced regularly by a certified technician, your unit will be more energy efficient and run for longer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory at the Berkeley Lab,

“By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, from 20% to 50%.”

This reduction can help homeowners save money on their bills.

An environmentally friendly system has a high number of SEERs. A Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is how air conditioners are measured in efficiency and energy conservation. The current governmentally approved ratio is 13 SEER. Air conditioning units rated at 13 SEER usually have Energy Star® rebates that will also save you money. Some other tips: *Keep windows and blinds closed – the more heat you can prevent from coming into the home, the less work the cooling unit is going to have to do. *Turn on the air conditioner before the hottest part of the day. Your home “soaks” up heat as soon as the sun rises in the morning, and if you wait to begin cooling the house after it is hot, the air conditioning unit is going to have to work at full power, longer. This will increase running costs, because the unit will utilize more electricity for longer. *Clean or replace filters when needed

These are just a few ideas to kick off the warm summer months with a ‘cooler’ attitude on air conditioning maintenance.

All of the information for this blog entry can be found at http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/makingithappen/tips.html. Once inside the web page, the specific article titled “Heating and Cooling” can be navigated to using the left side bar. When there find the "Heating and Cooling" tab and click on "Tips from Energy Savers". Last access 6/9/08.

The website I am using as a source is the output of the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, a leader in science and engineering research for the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories. This web page is titled “Making it Happen” and provides ways that everyday homeowners can conserve energy. http://www.lbl.gov/LBL-PID/LBL-Overview.html

More information at: http://www.lfpress.com/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=230466&s=energyguide. The London Free Press’ Energy Guide “Keeping Cool: Is Your Central Air Conditioning System Ready to Handle the Summer Heat?” April 16, 2008. *last accessed 6/10/08. This is an article also going over the various steps one should take towards pre-summer maintenance. There are also a couple of helpful links in the article to find more information. Please check back often as the blog will be updated with more information about energy saving tips for heating and cooling products!