Evaporative coolers work by speeding up the evaporation process with a fan to draw in hot, dry air and releasing more humid, cold air. They come with a specially-designed pad that absorbs water from a reservoir. Evaporative cooling units have a low running cost and are eco-friendly. That is why you might be planning to buy one soon. However, it’s important to know if it is a good purchase for your home.
Factors that Determine the Optimal Conditions for Running an Evaporative Cooler
An evaporative cooler works optimally at the right environment which depends on both air temperature and relative humidity where you want to use the unit. Taking a temperature and humidity measurement on any given day will help you determine how well your unit will work on that day.
- Air temperature. This refers to how cold or hot the air based on a standard thermometer reading. To measure air temperature, scientists use a thermometer without considering other factors.
- Relative humidity. This is the percentage that expresses the saturation of the air with water. To determine the impact of temperatures on humidity, relative humidity is considered. This percentage takes the amount of air moisture and compares it to the absolute maximum amount of water that air at a certain temperature can hold.
Should you Buy an Evaporative Cooling Unit?
It is helpful to take into account the average temperatures and humidity in your area during various seasons. Use Google to search for information on your town. Generally, the farther west you live, the better an evaporative cooler can serve you. In these locations, humidity levels and ambient temperatures will fall in the right range for the cooling system to perform.
Portable Evaporative Coolers for Outdoor Use
The moisture air content in the east may usually be too high to use an evaporative cooler indoors. But, you can still enjoy the benefits of these units by using them outside on days when the outdoor air has a low percent relative humidity. A portable evaporative cooler can make picnics, pool times, and patio parties a little more comfortable because the evaporative cooling unit will blow colder air.
Getting the Best Airflow from the Unit
Whether you use an evaporative cooler indoor or outdoor, it works best in areas that have low humidity. The evaporation rate will increase if there is a constant flow of fresh air to the cooler. Thus, you must keep a window open to let air movement bring in dry air and sweep out excess humidity from the cooler.
Author Bio – Sharon Pulbrook writes for Aspen Air. The family has been involved in the heating and cooling industry for 30+ years. She writes regularly about her industry insights on their blog.