Remodeling Heating and Air Conditioning Systems: September 2008 Archives
LCD flat screen TVs can save 40% vs. plasma screen TVs. Wow! The savings can be more significant than an energy efficient refrigerator! That says something about how much TV we watch. You might also consider turning the TV off more often and getting together with friends or nature to enjoy real pleasures!
But back to energy and appliances :-) ...
TIVO and DVRs also use a lot of energy!
Design controllable circuitry to allow turning off all modules of a home entertainment center other than your DVR.
Provide similar circuits to your home office to allow grouping all your computers and peripherals except your CPU and wireless router.
And in the kitchen -- consider using induction cooking if you use electric; and add a real outdoor venting system that will improve your indoor air quality at the same time it takes unnecessary heat out of your conditioned spaces.
But back to energy and appliances :-) ...
TIVO and DVRs also use a lot of energy!
Design controllable circuitry to allow turning off all modules of a home entertainment center other than your DVR.
Provide similar circuits to your home office to allow grouping all your computers and peripherals except your CPU and wireless router.
And in the kitchen -- consider using induction cooking if you use electric; and add a real outdoor venting system that will improve your indoor air quality at the same time it takes unnecessary heat out of your conditioned spaces.
Cooling Systems
Whole House Fan or Economizer System
The principal of ventilation cooling is to circulate cool night air through buildings, thereby cooling (removing heat from) interior mass surfaces such as walls, concrete floors, and furnishings. During the day this cool mass absorbs heat from the air, keeping indoor temperatures more comfortable. Studies have shown that ventilation cooling can eliminate the need for air conditioning in coastal California climate zones, and can substantially reduce both total and peak demand air conditioning energy use in the inland valleys.
One example is:
Whole House Fan or Economizer System
The principal of ventilation cooling is to circulate cool night air through buildings, thereby cooling (removing heat from) interior mass surfaces such as walls, concrete floors, and furnishings. During the day this cool mass absorbs heat from the air, keeping indoor temperatures more comfortable. Studies have shown that ventilation cooling can eliminate the need for air conditioning in coastal California climate zones, and can substantially reduce both total and peak demand air conditioning energy use in the inland valleys.
One example is:
Davis Energy Group: Nightbreeze is an integrated night ventilation cooling system with intelligent adaptive controls that optimize security, cooling comfort and energy: www.davisenergy.com.
Auxiliary air conditioning should have a minimum of SEER 17. Building codes require a minimum of 13.
To maximize savings, consider advanced systems with SEER 18+ that come with high speed operation disabled. Also, evaporatively cooled condensers in hot locations are an option that work like air conditioners, but they accept outside air that is cooled by evaporation.
Heating Systems
Fully condensing gas furances (91%+) are highly efficient. Tankless gas heaters with hydronic loop, connected with a whole house economizer system (Nightbreeze, Rinani, Tacagui) are also efficient. If you use an electric heat pump, consider geothermal ground loop system and minimize circulation pump power.
Zero Energy Homes are constructed (or remodeled) to reduce the amount of energy and balance usage with renewable energy generation. Here are some of the successful strategies that maximize energy conservation:
- Cut total electrical loads to 15 kWh per day
- Think less house, more efficiency, just say NO to McMansions
- Add 3-4 kW solar PV system with inverter to generate 15 kWh/day
- Effective solar water heating system with tankless gas water heater auxiliary
- Solar control measures to reduce air conditioning with good insulation, porches, reflective surfaces, and trees
- Well insulated building to reduce heating loads
- Use Energy Star rated appliances of all types: refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, televisions, computers
- Monitor real time energy use to guide your successful identification of key problem areas.
