Evaporative air cooler: what it is and how to choose the one that best suits your needs

What is an evaporative air cooler and what is it for?

An evaporative cooler is an electrical device that cools the air temperature of a space through the action of a natural refrigerant, in this case, water.  

Among its advantages are its portability, sustainability and ease of use, making it an efficient alternative to cool your home. 

Its system is very simple, it sucks the warm air from the room and passes it through the tank, where cold water or ice has been previously poured. This cools the air that has been sucked in and that comes out again thanks to the fans.

Types of evaporative air coolers

There are several types of evaporative coolers, so depending on the use and performance you need, you can choose one or the other:

Direct cooling system

In this system the air stops through the evaporator, cooling and humidifying the room where the air conditioner is located, making it ideal for rooms that need to be cooled quickly such as bedrooms or offices. This type of air conditioner works best if temperatures are high and relative humidity is low.

Indirect cooling system

In the indirect cooling system, the air passes through the evaporator, where it is cooled by an exchanger. Its main difference is that it does not humidify the air, so it is better suited to places with high temperatures and high humidity, making it ideal for rooms with a lot of air condensation such as garages, storage rooms or rooms with humidity problems.

Mixed cooling system

Finally, mixed evaporative coolers are the most popular. They can function as air condensers when temperatures are low and evaporative systems when temperatures are high. So they adapt to all types of climates and rooms.

How do I choose an evaporative air cooler?

It is important to consider all the features of the appliance before choosing which option is best suited to your home. That is why we list those factors that can influence your decision:

1. Know the dimensions of the space you want to cool: the surface of the room where you are going to use your appliance must be in accordance with its power, so that the cooling time is not too long. Likewise, the size of the air conditioner tank should also be in line with the surface area to be cooled.
2. Consider the characteristics of the device:
   • Tank: we have already seen that the cooling capacity will depend on its size. Its dimensions also affect its autonomy: the greater its capacity, the more time will pass before it needs to be recharged.
   • Capacity: we have also mentioned this feature in passing, which must reflect your needs. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the power will influence the expense of the device.
   • Efficiency: in tandem with the previous feature, we will now discuss efficiency, which in electrical appliances is reflected in the corresponding label. For reasons of energy and economic savings, we always recommend that you choose the highest-rated model. And we must also mention noise, as this variable also needs to be taken into account when analysing efficiency. Bear in mind that these devices tend to emit noises and that they can become annoying if you have them in operation for many hours or during the night.
   • Air flow: in relation to power and efficiency, it is important to bear in mind the air flow, which is equivalent to the amount of cold air that the device generates per cubic metre. This capacity is linked to the power of the device, with the flow higher the greater the power.
   • Programmable: some models allow on and off times to be programmed. This system enables you to optimise its operation, as well as control spending.
   • Remote control: increases ease of use.

Advantages of evaporative systems

Evaporative coolers have a long list of advantages compared to other cooling devices:

• No installation required: unlike other air conditioning systems, such as air conditioners, it does not require pipe connections or drilling holes in the wall.
• There is no need to close the room that you wish to cool: due to its operation, through cold steam, it does not require airtightness.
• You can transport it wherever you need it: most models are portable, since they do not need to be installed, and their size and design mean they can easily be moved. So you can carry it from one room to another and even move it from another home or premises.
• They are sustainable: no gases are used and they consume less energy than other systems such as air conditioners, since their consumption is focused on feeding the fans. We can therefore say that their consumption is very similar to that of a fan.
• They are efficient: bearing in mind the above, their consumption is limited, making evaporative air coolers an effective alternative for keeping your home cool in the warmest months, since the hotter the weather is, the more they cool.
• They refresh the air: the way that they operate means that they filter the air and generate movement, creating an increased feeling of freshness.

Disadvantages of evaporative systems

Although a suitable alternative for many types of rooms and climates, evaporative coolers can have some disadvantages:

• They are not suitable for enclosed spaces: as we have already mentioned, they need open spaces because of the way that they operate.
• They are only used to cool: other air conditioning systems offer the option of radiating heat.
• Their operation depends on external conditions: their performance is not regular since it depends on the temperature, the humidity of the environment, etc ... This is not the case with other systems.
• They have a lower cooling capacity than other systems: regardless of the characteristics of the appliance, the cooling capacity is less than that of an air conditioner.

The best tariff for your cooling systems

As we have already seen, evaporative coolers have the ability to concentrate their use at specific times of the day (the hottest hours), making them ideal candidates for time discriminating tariffs. The Tempo Happy tariffs fit your way of life, as they allow you to choose between 2 consecutive hours of highest consumption every day or 1 day a week in which your electricity consumption will be totally free. This way, if you run your evaporative cooler during those hours, you can cool without spending a single euro.