The Largest Source of Wasted Energy In Home!
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Largest Energy User
The nation's 142-million homes with nearly 119-million heating-A/C systems (HVAC) consume about 825-billion kWh, or over 45% of all electricity in homes.
Whereas, the 119-million units with oil/gas furnaces use 56% of all household energy.
Biggest Energy Waster
But percentage of energy use is not the biggest issue - rather it?s the quantity of wasted energy. These millions of units operate at about 31 percent below their efficiency standards, wasting some 256-billion kWh of electrical energy - enough to power 18.8-million homes for one year.
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On a per home basis, the wasted energy is at least five-times more than the combined use of all other home devices.
Reasons for Wasted Energy
The primary reason for such waste by HVAC systems is simple: it has to do with "starved airflow." To operate effectively, HVAC units need 400 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM) per ton.
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Yet, the nation's 119-million systems function with an average of 269-273 CFM/ton - a scarcity that accounts for much of the lost billions of kWh.
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Energy wasting chokepoints that reduce efficiency of 80% to 90% nation’s heating & air conditioning systems.
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Chokepoints Starve System of Airflow, Energy and Efficiency
The causes for inefficiency are multiple, but primarily associated with a combination of four system chokepoints that restrict airflow, reduce heat exchange rate and cause condenser slugging:
· Over 88% filters restrict airflow
· Over 85% A/C evaporative coils restrict airflow and heat exchange
· Over 80% of return air ducts restrict airflow primarily due to filter sizing.
· Over 72% of HVAC systems have improper charge, reducing heat exchange, damaging compressor
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Airflow Blockages Can Drop Average HVAC System Efficiency Up To 33%
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The Average home HVAC system requires 400 Cubic-Feet-per-Minute/Ton of Airflow (CFM/Ton of air conditioning) to operate at best performance for the AC to remove heat from the home.
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Yet with all the aiflow blockages, of the 119-million home HVAC system on average operates between 269 to 273 CFM/Ton of AC.
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In otherwords, the average HVAC is struggling to operate with only 66% of the needed airflow due to blockages, and has to operate longer, using up to 35% more energy to condition the home's total volume of air.
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A major culprit: the energy draining, bionesting FILTER
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Filters are nesting grounds for bacteria & mold, resulting in allergens, toxins & germicidal debris, causing a loss of energy in HVAC.
Less than 12% of homeowners maintain the filter, accelerating bionesting process & debris - restricting airflow, starving HVAC of efficiency.
Use of high efficiency MERV rated filters increases airflow restriction (energy loss), and biological growth.
Most undersized, energy draining return air ducts is the result of the restrictive air filters.
Restrictive filters cause fan to rapidly pull air/dirt into the system through cracks/holes past the filter. The added debris coats fan & coil, resricting air flow.
High-Speed system fan peals off germs, toxins and allergens from filter, spreading debris through out home.
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