Comments on: Reporter's Notes: Air Conditioning Reinvented http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/ Science, Environment, and Nature in the SF Bay Area Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:39:48 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Postpone that Home Depot trip, Household appliances are getting a makeover | QUEST Community Science Blog - KQED http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-64374 Postpone that Home Depot trip, Household appliances are getting a makeover | QUEST Community Science Blog - KQED Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:45:36 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-64374 [...] to revamp 23 common household products - everything from battery chargers and clothes dryers to air conditioners - by requiring that manufacturers make more energy-efficient models. The ACEE report (no doubt [...] [...] to revamp 23 common household products – everything from battery chargers and clothes dryers to air conditioners – by requiring that manufacturers make more energy-efficient models. The ACEE report (no doubt [...]

]]> By: MikeK http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-64146 MikeK Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:25:45 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-64146 Another interesting option, developed at UC Davis, is a system called the "Night Breeze". It has a motorized damper in the air return that can switch between conventional operation, and operation more similar to a whole-house fan. In climates where it can be quite warm during the day, but cools off at night (much of the Bay Area, for example), the Night Breeze is supposedly more efficient. (I have an HVAC company looking into installing one for me...) What it does is to check the outdoor temperature when cooling is called for. If it's cool outside but warm in the house, the damper is moved so that the warm air from inside is simply exhausted through a gable vent, and cool outside air is drawn in through a filter. The compressor doesn't run at all in this mode. If it's too warm outside for the system to use outside air, then the damper closes and the system works like a normal A/C unit (although it does periodically open the damper for short intervals to allow fresh air into the house). I love the idea of this system, because it has the benefits of a whole-house fan, without the hassle of manually opening windows, and without the intake of dust and allergens that are a problem for some people. It's fully automated, which in my experience is the best recipe for consistent use. More info at the UC Davis web site: http://www.davisenergy.com/technologies/nightbreeze.php Another interesting option, developed at UC Davis, is a system called the "Night Breeze". It has a motorized damper in the air return that can switch between conventional operation, and operation more similar to a whole-house fan.

In climates where it can be quite warm during the day, but cools off at night (much of the Bay Area, for example), the Night Breeze is supposedly more efficient. (I have an HVAC company looking into installing one for me…)

What it does is to check the outdoor temperature when cooling is called for. If it's cool outside but warm in the house, the damper is moved so that the warm air from inside is simply exhausted through a gable vent, and cool outside air is drawn in through a filter. The compressor doesn't run at all in this mode.

If it's too warm outside for the system to use outside air, then the damper closes and the system works like a normal A/C unit (although it does periodically open the damper for short intervals to allow fresh air into the house).

I love the idea of this system, because it has the benefits of a whole-house fan, without the hassle of manually opening windows, and without the intake of dust and allergens that are a problem for some people. It's fully automated, which in my experience is the best recipe for consistent use.

More info at the UC Davis web site:

http://www.davisenergy.com/technologies/nightbreeze.php

]]> By: LjR http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-64144 LjR Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:48:05 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-64144 I'm ready for a consult from somebody on this in my L.A. home. Can someone suggest somebody? That was mentioned on the show. I can't afford a regular AC install (scoped this out last year) but would like very much to get alternatives/low cost suggestions. By the way, I do what the last person said - closing the house during the day and opening up at night and indeed, that plus ceiling fans, have kept my home pretty comfortable. Also, I put new coating on roof of the silver stuff. Great report. Thanks for it! Other resources in L.A. area that are good to talk to about this - Ed Begley. It's important to many of us in the LA area, at least, to make sure we consider the entire environment re this. I'm ready for a consult from somebody on this in my L.A. home. Can someone suggest somebody? That was mentioned on the show. I can't afford a regular AC install (scoped this out last year) but would like very much to get alternatives/low cost suggestions.

By the way, I do what the last person said – closing the house during the day and opening up at night and indeed, that plus ceiling fans, have kept my home pretty comfortable. Also, I put new coating on roof of the silver stuff.

Great report. Thanks for it!

Other resources in L.A. area that are good to talk to about this – Ed Begley. It's important to many of us in the LA area, at least, to make sure we consider the entire environment re this.

]]> By: Dave http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-62769 Dave Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:27:07 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-62769 High efficient air conditioning is now readily available from almost any dealer. With the new economic stimulus bill there are some huge tax credits available for homeowners to upgrade their systems. Now is the time to improve efficiency and save the planet. High efficient air conditioning is now readily available from almost any dealer. With the new economic stimulus bill there are some huge tax credits available for homeowners to upgrade their systems. Now is the time to improve efficiency and save the planet.

]]> By: deepak http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-62053 deepak Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:31:29 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-62053 We are working for NYC Air conditioning, Duct Cleaning NYC, construction and specializes in the service and repair of your HVAC system http://www.interstateair.com We are working for NYC Air conditioning, Duct Cleaning NYC, construction and specializes in the service and repair of your HVAC system
http://www.interstateair.com

]]> By: Rock on http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-62020 Rock on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:56:51 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-62020 Hey, I would like more technical explanation of how the efficiency modifications work. It’s called the Western Cooling Challenge and it is part of the overall effort of the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center to slash energy use without sacrificing comfort.I am currently looking for installing a new AC and heating unit in my home Hey,
I would like more technical explanation of how the efficiency modifications work.
It’s called the Western Cooling Challenge and it is part of the overall effort of the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center to slash energy use without sacrificing comfort.I am currently looking for installing a new AC and heating unit in my home

]]> By: Deepak http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-61967 Deepak Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:39:33 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-61967 Hi, Amy, great story re residential AC retrofits to save energy Hi, Amy, great story re residential AC retrofits to save energy

]]> By: Amit Garg http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-59961 Amit Garg Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:46:08 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-59961 I am currently looking for installing a new AC and heating unit in my home. It seems that all major HVAC equipment providers (Carrier, Trane, etc.) offer two stage systems. * Are these likely to have the ECM motors? If a concept 3 motor is installed in a brand new unit, does it undermine the warranty? * Do you have any contractors close to San Jose, CA - especially who offer one of the major brands and can seemlessly offer Concept 3, Check Me,etc. Thanks! I am currently looking for installing a new AC and heating unit in my home. It seems that all major HVAC equipment providers (Carrier, Trane, etc.) offer two stage systems.
* Are these likely to have the ECM motors? If a concept 3 motor is installed in a brand new unit, does it undermine the warranty?
* Do you have any contractors close to San Jose, CA – especially who offer one of the major brands and can seemlessly offer Concept 3, Check Me,etc.
Thanks!

]]> By: John Proctor http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-59867 John Proctor Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:55:56 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-59867 Gary It is possible that your furnace has a high efficiency motor (an ECM) If you give me the model number I can tell you. If you time how long the fan stays on after the outside unit shuts off, I think you will find it to be 90 seconds or less. If you have an ECM motor, then you want it to stay on for 5 minutes (and have the amount of time it stays on increase as the cycles get longer). We do not have a contractor in S. San Jose, but you could have your contractor call me. With respect to Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) they do work to reduce cooling loads. One of the best discussions of the subject is: http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/html/fsec-cr-1231-01/ John P. Gary

It is possible that your furnace has a high efficiency motor (an ECM) If you give me the model number I can tell you. If you time how long the fan stays on after the outside unit shuts off, I think you will find it to be 90 seconds or less. If you have an ECM motor, then you want it to stay on for 5 minutes (and have the amount of time it stays on increase as the cycles get longer). We do not have a contractor in S. San Jose, but you could have your contractor call me.

With respect to Radiant Barrier Systems (RBS) they do work to reduce cooling loads. One of the best discussions of the subject is:
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/html/fsec-cr-1231-01/

John P.

]]> By: gary http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/09/05/reporters-notes-air-conditioning-reinvented/comment-page-1/#comment-59865 gary Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:14:59 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/?p=810#comment-59865 We have an AC with an indoor fan that seems to run at multiple speeds and I believe it runs after the compressor has stopped. Is it possible this system already is tuned for California? You mention the Concept-3 uses less power, what is the rating so that I could compare? Is there anything that can be applied to an existing comp roof to increase infra-red reflectivity? Is there a contractor for these systems that works in South San Jose? thx, g We have an AC with an indoor fan that seems to run at multiple speeds and I believe it runs after the compressor has stopped. Is it possible this system already is tuned for California? You mention the Concept-3 uses less power, what is the rating so that I could compare? Is there anything that can be applied to an existing comp roof to increase infra-red reflectivity? Is there a contractor for these systems that works in South San Jose?
thx, g

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