When the temperature rises to unbearable heights, most people would think of finding relief in the form of an air conditioner or fan. Evaporative coolers, while not as popular as other sources of summer comfort, can be extremely beneficial when installed in the right environment. They provide more of a chill than fans and are more economical to run than air conditioners. The below guide will help you decide whether an evaporative cooler is the right solution to keep the heat under control in your household.
How do they work?
An evaporative cooler, as the name suggests, cools down your space using a process of evaporation. A fan draws hot, dry air into the unit, where it is passed through a wall of water-soaked pads. The water from the pads is converted into a gas and cool air blows out the other side. This process can be compared to when you emerge from a pool on a hot day and feel a breeze. The swirling air has a cooling effect because heat energy is lost when a liquid changes into a gas.
Evaporative coolers vs. other cooling devices
While a split system air conditioner may make your home that extra bit icy, its performance relies on coils and a refrigerant to transfer hot air from inside your home to the outside, which ultimately saps more energy. Operating a split system is a closed process, in that doors and windows must be shut for the cold air to be effective. When using an evaporative cooler, you should keep a door or window open so the moist air doesn’t recirculate back into the unit.
Evaporative coolers offer a distinct advantage over standard fans. When you use a fan, the action of the blades does not actually cool the ambient air; it simply moves hot air around the room to speed up the evaporation of sweat. An evaporative cooler, however, will provide relief to the surrounding area, and not just the area it is facing.
If you would like to learn more about Evaporative Coolers vs Air Conditioners specifically, you can view our Evaporative Coolers vs. Air Conditioners: A Comprehensive Comparison here.
What environments are they suited to?
Because evaporative coolers add moisture to the air, they are fairly ineffectual when used in humid areas. These devices are recommended for arid areas where the air is dry enough to absorb moisture. If the relative humidity in your area often creeps higher than 50%, you may want to explore other cooling options. Evaporative coolers are primarily designed for indoor use; however, some models can function in outdoor or semi-outdoor spaces such as al fresco dining areas and terraces.
Features to look out for:
While all evaporative coolers operate with the same fundamental, the following features will allow for more convenience when using your appliance.
Air purification:
The air you breathe will not only be cooler, but better for you. The De’Longhi EV250WH offers an evaporative cooler with an ioniser and dust filter.
Sleep mode:
To ensure you get a comfortable night’s sleep, many models feature a sleep mode that varies the intensity of the airflow to replicate the fluctuation of ambient conditions.
Timer:
If your cooler has a timer mode, you can program it to switch on after a certain number of hours. This is particularly useful if you’d like a cool welcome when you arrive home from work.
Oscillation:
While an evaporative cooler does reduce the ambient temperature no matter the direction it is facing, side-to-side oscillation will provide greater relief in spaces where multiple people are gathered.
Cleaning and maintenance
As with any appliance, an evaporative cooler requires cleaning and upkeep to work at the optimum level. The internal pads, or media, will need to be cleaned once every two weeks with lukewarm water and a mild detergent. These pads generally last for up to a year, although some models contain pads that will get the job done for up to seven years. Always check the product manual to see how often maintenance is needed. When the weather cools down and it’s time to store your evaporative cooler, make sure you drain the tank completely and use the fan-only function for 30 to 60 minutes to dry out the unit before covering it with a protective sheet.
There’s more than one way to
If you live in an area where the humidity is too high, or you simply want to check out our other cooling appliances, take a look at our comprehensive range of air conditioners and fans.
