Evaporative Air CoolersEvaporative air coolers are low-cost and simplest form of coolers where evaporation of water is used to cool the air. The technique itself is not new to the mankind. It’s built upon the same age old principle of using water-soaked fabric or sponge to cool the air temperature down. A blower or fan blows air onto the soaked stuff to cause water evaporation which lowers the temperature. In old days people used to hang water soaked sheets in the windows or doorways and relied on natural wind to cause the water evaporation. Today, the same concept is much more refined and offers an extremely low cost and highly effective alternative to air conditioners. The sponge pads have replaced the bed sheets. A simple air moving system sucks hot air from outside, forces it through the damp pads. The water in pads evaporates dropping the temperature of the air passing through the pads. The blower then blows the cool air into the room. The process is very simple but it is no less effective than the modern refrigerated air-conditioning technologies. Air Cooler Vs. Air Conditioner Let's compare evaporative air coolers and air conditioners. Humidity is bad for cooler: One major drawback of Evaporative Air Coolers is that they aren’t effective in high humidity environments. They work best in dry atmosphere. If the outside air itself contains water then the evaporation process is not that effective as the air is already saturated. The air-conditioners on the other hand are not dependent on humidity levels. They deliver the same performance regardless of the air humidity. Water is must for cooler: The other drawback or rather nature of air coolers is that they require water to operate. They have a water reservoir where over the time minerals, dirt, and other water impurities settle down. You need more water to regularly flush all the deposits out as otherwise they can hinder with the normal functioning of the cooler or even cause bad air. Now, if you live in an area where water is a problem this can be a limiting factor. Coolers are larger: Air coolers are also bigger units. Their rear has to be outside the house as they have to pull the air from outside. They also require at-least 2-3 feet clearance for maintenance purpose. The air-conditioners on the other hand are more compact. Coolers consumer lesser energy: The evaporative water coolers consume much lesser energy compared to air-conditioners. An AC can consume up to 4 times more energy than an air cooler. The newer energy efficient AC's are narrowing that gap. But air coolers are becoming favorites for those who want to contribute to the greener earth pursuit. Coolers are easier to maintain: Since they are simpler the maintenance is also easier and less expensive. You rarely need to call in a professional help in case of air coolers. Whereas in case of AC's you rarely will be able to solve the problem by yourself. You always need expert help as the AC systems are more complex. Beyond Cooling: Both coolers and air conditioners act as air filters, air purifiers, and dehumidifiers. Air coolers also add slight cool wind effect which many prefer. The air movement in hot weather makes you feel more comfortable. The air coolers require you to keep the windows open for better air circulation whereas ACs require you to close windows and doors as they recirculate the air inside.
The science behind the air cooler Now, let's look at how exactly an air cooler cools the air down. When the hot and dry air passes over water, it absorbs some water. The temperature of the air and water tries to equalize. As the heat flows from hotter to colder temperature, water which is colder than the air takes some heat from the air making it cooler. The hotter the outer air more heat the water absorbs from it. Drier the air more water it absorbs. That’s the reason air coolers function best in dessert like hot and dry weather. How to choose Here are a few things you should be looking at while buying a new Evaporative Cooler -
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