Zoning Systems
One new technology making air conditioning and heating units more efficient are zoning systems. With these systems, you place a zone unit, which include dampers similar to a fireplace, in your ducts and vents. There are sensors and thermometers in the different zones. The dampers are opened and closed as necessary, and you only heat or cool the area of your home or office that needs it. The system is able to work more efficiently, and you save money on your energy costs because you are only heating or cooling the areas that are being used. With some units, you can even have different temperatures in different sections of your house or business.
Automated Systems
There are several types of automated systems that are making HVAC units more efficient. You can purchase programmable thermostats that keep a room a certain temperature at particular times of the day. If you are away from home during the day, you can have the thermostat set at a certain temperature and program it to heat or cool just before you get home. For offices, you can have it set on a higher setting over the weekend when no one is in the building. Newer versions can even sense when you are not at home and can adapt to the outside temperature, humidity, and more. Many of these systems are even programmable from your smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Passive Dehumidification in HVAC Systems
It is not just the additional technology making HVAC systems more efficient, as companies are creating systems that work on less energy to heat and cool more efficiently. One such technology is passive dehumidification, a technology that uses three evaporator coils. The air passes through the three coils and dries it out, while using the heat taken from the air to help balance it to the exact right temperature. Additionally, the chillers and boiler systems in newer HVAC systems are constantly improving their efficacy, with new condensing boilers having an operating efficiency of near 95 percent. As the technology going into the systems themselves continues to improve, the overall operation improves.
In addition to the significant improvements in the HVAC systems, there are a few tips to increase the efficiency of an HVAC unit. Insulation is important to keep the air cooler or warmer within the building. Additionally, maintaining your air conditioning or heating unit is key. Many systems now make it easy to know when you need maintenance, as they will have a digital display or unit that informs you of any malfunctions or other problems.
We can help you identify areas where efficiency can be improved. Also, our system maintenance can improved efficiency and the life of you HVAC system. Give us a call today. You will be impressed!
