What Are Evaporative Coolers? Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Evaporative Coolers

Are you looking for ways to beat the heat? You might be interested in evaporative coolers if your home doesn’t have central air conditioning or you are looking for more affordable or environmentally friendly options.

It is important to understand how evaporative coolers work before you decide if they will work in your home. There are many things to know about evaporative cooling if you are new to the subject. This article will explain how evaporative cooler work and help you decide whether to invest.

What Are Evaporative Coolers?

An evaporative air cooler is a type of air conditioner that works by harnessing the power of evaporation to cool air temperatures. Water turns from liquid to gas when it evaporates. The water’s highest-energy particles are released first. This causes a drop in temperature. A moistened cloth placed on your forehead on hot days can feel good — it helps to lower your head temperature as the water evaporates.

These scientific principles also apply to your home’s evaporative cooling process. The simple process of evaporation can reduce the temperature in dry environments. If you have ever misted the air to cool down on hot summer days, you may have experienced this effect. The same principle is used in an evaporative conditioner, but with more technology.

How Do Evaporative Coolers Work?

Evaporative cooling systems automate basic evaporation to lower the temperature in your home. The machine will generally consist of a fan and a thick pad. There is also a water reservoir. Additional controls are available to fine-tune the results. The fan draws hot, dry air into the machine through the cooler pads. The thick pads absorb water from a reservoir and have multiple layers to increase their surface area. The hot air that crosses the pad evaporates water molecules from the surface, which causes the temperature of the cooler to drop by up to 20 degrees. You can then enjoy the cool air blowing into your room.

Other useful components can be included in evaporative coolers. Many air filters and pads are made to improve the air quality and reduce allergens. This is a crucial consideration for people with allergies and other respiratory problems. Although not essential, a water pump can speed up the cooling pad’s absorption. Some models allow you to add an ice pack to cool the air that the fan blows into the room. Other useful features include oscillating functions, variable fan speeds, and remote control.

Note About Swamp Coolers

Swamp cooler and “evaporative cool” are frequently used interchangeably. A swamp cooler works because it uses the same science of evaporating. Although no one knows the origin of the term, evaporative swamp coolers are a common name for an evaporative cooler. The difference in size is what might be the cause. A swamp cooler is often used to refer to a whole-house evaporative cooling unit. However, evaporative cools can come in any size, even portable, compact evaporative ones.

These large units are designed to cool entire houses. These systems typically use large water pads that pump water from the main water line to cool your house. Cool air can flow down from roof-mounted systems or it can be piped through the ductwork to any place you choose.