| GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM |
 |
 |
 |
Creating a Comfortable EnvironmentAs we all know human beings can only survive within a very narrow temperature band, and our range of comfortable temperatures is even narrower!For most of us, an average temperature of 22ºC is considered comfortable, whereas ambient air temperature even in the Hunter can range from several degrees below Zero to over 40ºC in summer! The temperature in your home (or any other building) is determined by the conditions outside, and will vary as the outside temperature varies. Heat is transferred via the building elements (construction materials – brick, glass, wood) to or from the surrounding ground and outside air. The rate at which this heat transfer takes places is known as the thermal efficiency of the building. To control the rise and fall of internal temperature, supplementary means of heating or cooling are required (such as air conditioning) to maintain comfort levels. Additionally, by increasing the thermal efficiency of a building, then the rate of heat transfer between the building and its surroundings will be slower, and the amount of supplementary heating or cooling required will be much less. The total amount of heat transferred to or from the building over a given period is known as its heat load. How Can We Improve Thermal Efficiency?The materials used to build a home are chosen for their strength, rather than for their heat transmission properties. For example, glass is an excellent material for windows but is also a good conductor of heat. Other materials such as timber, steel, brick and concrete also conduct heat to varying degrees and contribute to the building’s heat load. Counteracting the effect of heat transfer by using the following methods Insulation Conversely, some materials are poor conductors of heat and are known as insulators. By placing a layer of insulating material between walls or in ceilings, we can slow down the rate of heat transfer to a great degree thereby improving the thermal efficiency. A common insulation material used in residential buildings for example is fiberglass wool which is sold in 1200 x 600 “batts” and placed between the ceiling joists to prevent heat transfer between the ceiling space and the living space. Walls and floors can also be insulated in a similar manner. Ask the Clements team how you can use insulation to increase the efficiency of your air conditioning system. Ventilation Ventilation of ceiling space is also a very effective method of improving thermal efficiency particularly in warm weather. Hot air in the ceiling space rises and is allowed to escape through roof ventilators, and is replaced by cooler air from floor and wall cavities. This effectively reduces the ceiling space temperature – therefore reducing heat transfer to the rooms below. Our team can recommend the most effective ventilation method to supplement your air conditioning system. Call the Clements office to find out more. External Shade Energy Efficient Paint Supplementary Heating and CoolingEven when every effort is made to improve a buildings thermal efficiency there will still be a need for some form of supplementary heating and cooling throughout the year.The trick is to minimise the heating/cooling requirement and choose the most economical means of providing it. Efficient OperationIf the right system has been chosen for a building, then it should be able to control temperatures to within a degree or two of the temperature set on the controller.People however have a tendency to set the temperature either too high when conditions are cool or too low when conditions are hot. This results in the system running continuously and will greatly increase operating costs. In extreme cases it also has potential to cause equipment failure. The controller temperature should always be set between 21ºC to 23ºC. As a general rule in warm conditions, set the temperature as high as is comfortable, to maximise efficiency and minimise running costs. The opposite is true for the colder months. Remember it takes a lot of energy to change the temperature of a large area by just one degree! Legislative RequirementsAs anyone building a new home in NSW in the last few years will know, there are now legislative requirements that set guidelines for the energy and water efficiency of new homes. Introduced by the NSW Government, BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) ensures homes are built to be more energy and water efficient. BASIX is a free online program that is accessible to anyone, assesses a house or unit design, and compares it against energy and water reduction targets. The design must meet these targets before a BASIX Certificate can be printed. Every development application for a new home must be submitted to Council with a BASIX Certificate. (For more information Please go to www.basix.nsw.gov.au) |
