HVAC technology and software are ever evolving to make your Beaumont, Texas, home more energy-efficient, bringing you savings on heating and cooling bills as well as helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only is the need for higher efficiency systems rising as more and more people are adding air conditioning worldwide, but it is also becoming increasingly clear that HVAC systems need to create a smaller carbon footprint. Let’s take a look at a few of the exciting new HVAC technologies in use today and future HVAC technology we see on the horizon.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regulations
In order to understand one of the reasons the HVAC industry is turning to more energy-efficient and eco-friendly types of heating and cooling, let’s look at some of the rules and regulations the EPA is setting forth. In the early days of air conditioning, the cooling refrigerants R-12 and R-22 were used. In 1994, it was found that these cooling compounds contain hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) and were depleting the Earth’s protective ozone layer.
Because of this, the EPA is phasing out any equipment that still uses H-22. By the time the phase-out and banning of this occurs, homeowners and business owners will need to replace equipment that still uses this harmful compound. If the replacement of your existing air conditioner is necessary, it may be time to consider replacing it with advanced HVAC technology.
Ice-Powered Air Conditioning
This innovative new technology uses thermal batteries to transform your existing air conditioner into a much more energy-efficient and cost-effective air cooling unit. One company that has developed ice-powered air conditioning is Ice Energy with their Ice Bear battery. Their mission is to transform inefficient existing air conditioners into high-efficiency models.
The heaviest burden on the electrical grid of most areas is during the daylight hours when homeowners and businesses are running air conditioners, and this is when most energy is being consumed during the hot months. So, at night when the electrical grid is not being used as extensively as during the day, the Ice Bear battery utilizes this time to fill the battery’s storage area with water where it freezes into a block of ice.
Then during the day, the ice can be used as a way to provide cooling air without having to run the air conditioner’s compressor which uses enormous amounts of energy. Some results are showing a drastic reduction in energy usage during the hottest part of the day, when the burden on the electrical grid is heaviest. Ice batteries can help cut energy costs as well as carbon emissions.
Solar Thermal Technology
Chromasun Micro-Concentrators (MCT) are high-temperature solar panels that can concentrate sunlight up to 20 times to add extra power to existing HVAC systems and can also be an added source of hot water.
The modular panels concentrate solar thermal energy with the use of mirrored reflector lenses that actively track the sun’s path. The heat collected is then concentrated onto an absorber pipe. Then, the energy is delivered by a specialized heat pump to run the existing HVAC system. Solar energy technology is developing rapidly to become more efficient, compact, modular, and available to most building structures.
Smart Thermostats and HVAC Systems
Many homes already are utilizing home automation and smart thermostats, but as systems become more complex and interconnected, future smart thermostats will become more advanced in helping the homeowner reduce energy consumption. A well-maintained HVAC system uses less energy and because an integrated smart thermostat can send you reminders when servicing is due, homeowners are more likely to invest in a maintenance plan to keep their systems running efficiently.
In addition, smart thermostats will let the homeowner know how much energy they are using and where their energy is being wasted. With this information, the homeowner can make informed decisions on how to remedy energy waste and to become more energy efficient overall. Smart HVAC systems and thermostats that are connected via the Internet of Things (IoT) are paving the way for how homeowners and business owners use their HVAC systems. As technology advances, integrated HVAC systems will improve energy efficiency, which will mean cost-savings in energy bills.
To inquire about smart thermostats, energy-efficient air conditioning, and advanced HVAC technology, call us at Thermacon Service Company, Inc. today at 866-797-1535.
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