Evaporative air conditioning how does it work

Ducted systems are required for larger houses with hallways and multiple rooms. Most evaporative coolers for residential buildings are installed in a down-flow arrangement on the roof. However, many experts prefer to install ground-mounted horizontal units, which feature easier maintenance and less risk of roof leaks.

Small horizontal-flow coolers are installed in windows to cool a room or section of a home. These portable evaporative coolers work well in moderate climates, but may not be able to cool a room adequately in hot climates.

Room evaporative coolers are becoming more popular in areas of the western United States with milder summer weather. Small, portable evaporative coolers on wheels are now available as well. Although the units have the advantage of portability, their cooling ability is limited by the humidity within your home. Generally, these units will provide only a slight cooling effect.

An evaporative cooler should have at least two speeds and a vent-only option. During vent-only operation, the water pump does not operate and the outdoor air is not humidified. This lets you use the evaporative cooler as a whole-house fan in a residential application during mild weather. Control the cooler's air movement through the house by adjusting window openings. Open the windows or vents on the leeward side of the house to provide 1 to 2 square feet of opening for each 1, cfm of cooling capacity.

Experiment to find the right windows to open and the correct amount to open them. If the windows are open too far, too much hot air will enter. If the windows are not open far enough, humidity will build up in the home.

You can regulate both temperature and humidity by opening windows in the areas you want to cool, and closing windows in unoccupied areas. Where open windows create a security issue, install up-ducts in the ceiling. Up-ducts open to exhaust warm air into the attic as cooler air comes in from the evaporative cooler.

When you hear about a possible energy-saving alternative like an evaporative cooler , you might start to consider making the change. Healthy skepticism about any type of new comfort system or new to you is wise.

You never want to impulsively purchase HVAC equipment because there is no such thing as a universal air conditioning or heating system. Evaporative coolers can work as effective air conditioning systems for homes.

But they are not right for all homes in all areas of the country. An evaporative cooler is simpler than a refrigerant-based air conditioner, and it consumes less electrical power to cool the air. It also has the benefit of bringing in fresh air and raising the humidity in dry conditions. However, we live in one of the best environments for evaporative coolers—a dry one. High humidity makes it harder for evaporative cooling to work.

Under dry, hot conditions, an evaporative cooler can work just as well as a refrigerant-based air conditioner. The fan then blows that cold air into your room, where you can enjoy the chill on a hot day. Evaporative coolers can have other useful parts built into them as well. Many utilize air filters and pads that are designed to improve air quality by reducing allergens and minimizing mildew growth — an important consideration for anyone with allergies or other respiratory concerns. A water pump, while not strictly necessary, can streamline the absorption into the cooling pad.

Some models offer the option of adding an ice pack to further cool the air the fan blows out into the room. Varying fan speeds, oscillating functions and a remote control are also useful features. A swamp cooler is often a term reserved for a whole-house evaporative air conditioning unit, while evaporative coolers can be any size — including compact, portable evaporative coolers.

Permanent swamp coolers are large units designed to cool a whole house. Cool air flows down from roof-mounted systems, or it can be piped through ductwork to be directed to any location you like.

Evaporative coolers have two major advantages over traditional air conditioners : energy efficiency and sustainability. Both are due to the fact that evaporative coolers use far less electricity to operate; in fact, a standard air conditioner can use up to seven times as many watts of electricity.

This is because, in general, evaporative coolers only need to run the fan that draws airflow over the cooling pad. Standard air conditioning systems , on the other hand, rely on a compressor to press liquid refrigerant into a smaller space and then move it across a heat exchanger to pull heat out of the air. This process requires a great deal of electricity to accomplish, in addition to the fan that send cold air out into the room.

Using less electricity with an evaporative cooler means lowering your carbon footprint as well as paying less on your utility bills. It should also be noted that evaporative coolers use only water and no chemical refrigerants, which are harmful to the ozone layer.

This makes sense, of course, when you pause to break down how they work. Because these coolers depend on water being able to evaporate into the atmosphere, having a house full of dry air makes this process much more efficient. The water molecules can separate and float off into dry air much more easily than they can into humid air, which is already pretty saturated with water. In these arid locations, water will evaporate quickly and cool your air well.

The other reason that evaporative coolers are better in the Southwest than in other regions is because using them actually boosts the humidity level in your home. As the water evaporates , it leaves the cooler and stays in the air in your home. If you live in the desert, this can be a real bonus for helping you stay hydrated and to keep your skin in good shape. In humid climates , however, this could be a deal breaker. Know Your Humidity Levels.