Should You Choose Evaporative Coolers Over Central Air Conditioning?

Blog

When it is time to install an air conditioning system for your premises, there are many options to choose from. Two of the most commonly used AC systems are evaporative coolers and central air conditioning. Evaporative cooling is a time-tested cooling mechanism, and it's based on the principle of evaporating warm air resulting in a cooling effect.

On the other hand, central air works by passing warm air over a compressor to cool it and channel it back into the home. There are many written pieces that attempt to compare these two systems, but they tend to overlook many critical components that can help you make the best decision for your home.

Fresh air supply versus reusing the same air

The first point of comparison between evaporative cooling and central air lies in the supply of fresh air against reusing the same air. In an evaporative cooling unit, warm air comes in from outside and is passed through pads that are saturated with water. The warm air causes water in these pads to evaporate and induce a cooling effect on the incoming supply. The resultant cool air takes warm air for the home and replaces it with a fresh supply. The benefit of evaporative coolers is that they circulate air and produce a fresh supply every few minutes.

On the other hand, central air conditioners deal with the same supply of air. They pass warm air from the home over a compressor (which contains a refrigerant) that cools the incoming air and channels it back to the home via a series of ducts. Reusing the same supply can be beneficial for large premises such as commercial buildings.

Humid versus dry air

Simply put, humidity is a measure of how much water vapor is present in the air at a particular time. For evaporative cooling to work, the air needs to have low humidity so that incoming warm air can be filled with water vapor and cooled. If the air is already humid, cooling cannot occur effectively.

Evaporative coolers are therefore best for hot and dry areas such as high-altitude areas or places that are distant from large water bodies. Central air is able to remain effective at all temperatures.

Cost of operation

Evaporative coolers are less costly to operate, and can be up to 50% cheaper than central air systems. This is because they only need electricity and water to operate. However, they do have a capacity limitation while central air conditioning can be installed for use in larger premises.

Ultimately, the system you choose will depend on your location, the size of your home/property, your budget, and your desire for a constant stream of fresh air. For more information, contact an air conditioning maintenance business, which can tell you about the options and cost to maintain.

Share  

28 January 2018

Heating and Cooling Your Home: A Guide

Howdy! I'm Hank and I am writing this blog so I can give you the lowdown on the cheapest and most effective ways you can heat or cool your home. I'm not a trained HVAC contractor but my brother is. Last year, I called up my brother and asked him to drive over and install a new HVAC system in my property. The old system wasn't cooling or warming my house and it was making a strange noise. During the installation, my brother gave me lots of great advice and explained exactly what he was doing at each step. I hope you find this information useful.