by John Krigger | Jun 27, 2024 | AC Air Conditioning / Cooling, Energy Efficient Buildings, Uncategorized
A two-stage evaporative cooler is a newer, more efficient evaporative cooler that uses a pre-cooler, improved evaporative pads, and a more efficient motor. The pre-cooler cools the incoming air, with a water-cooled heat exchanger, and without adding any moisture to...
by John Krigger | Jun 21, 2024 | AC Air Conditioning / Cooling, Energy Efficient Buildings, Uncategorized
Let’s think about the possibility of electrical-grid failure, unaffordable electricity, or AC failure during very hot weather. Ancient ideas and their modern designs may be one solution. Modern wind-catchers, along with wind-powered and solar-powered ventilators...
by John Krigger | Jun 20, 2024 | AC Air Conditioning / Cooling, Air Sealing Buildings, Duct Air Sealing, Uncategorized
The sensible-heat ratio (SHR) expresses the moisture-removal capacity of the AC system. The SHR rates the air conditioner on its ability to remove moisture and is an important consideration to select a central AC system. The SHR is a decimal number between 0.5 and...
by John Krigger | Jun 12, 2024 | AC Air Conditioning / Cooling, Uncategorized
You can apply several types of white roof coatings to various roofing materials to create a cool roof. When choosing a white roof coating, consider your existing roofing material, the roof’s slope, and the manufacturer’s specifications for the coating....
by John Krigger | Jun 6, 2024 | AC Air Conditioning / Cooling, Uncategorized
Badgirs — also known as windcatchers or wind towers — are traditional non-electric architectural features used in the Middle East for natural ventilation and cooling. Architects and builders used Babgirs for centuries to create indoor comfort in hot, arid climates....
by John Krigger | Jun 6, 2024 | AC Air Conditioning / Cooling, Uncategorized
Your AC can provide either optimal efficiency or optimal dehumidification, but it can’t usually provide both. Air conditioners, designed for energy-efficiency, may not run cold enough to condense sufficient water vapor out of the indoor air. The air conditioner may...
by srmi | Aug 10, 2017 | Energy News
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) scientists, led by Max Sherman and Iain Walker, are investigating whole-house ventilation options to support California’s Zero Net Energy Homes initiative. This research project is called Smart Ventilation for Advanced...
by srmi | Jul 5, 2017 | Energy Efficient Buildings
Sliding glass door heat flow A sliding glass door’s large expanse of glass transmits a lot heat out of the home in the winter and into the home in summer. This heat flow takes three forms: heat conducts directly through the glass in winter, solar heat transmits...
by srmi | Jun 2, 2017 | Energy News
Attic vents and attic venting are the most familiar and reliable roof venting option. That was the subject of part 1 of this post. But they may not work depending on the building’s design. Features like sloping ceilings and cathedrals may dictate an unvented...
by srmi | May 26, 2017 | Energy Efficient Buildings
Attic vents and roof venting serve a variety of purposes, depending on roof design and climate. These purposes include preventing ice damming, drying building materials, and controlling solar heat gain. In cold climates, we want to avoid ice damming by keeping the...
