Evaporative cooling and air conditioning can both provide whole-house cooling. Evaporative cooler vs central air which option is best for you? We’ll look at different cooling systems, their costs, energy consumption, and pros and cons.
What Exactly Is An “Evaporative Cooler?”
Evaporative coolers cool the air by converting water into a cool liquid. Bronze-age frescoes show enslaved people cooling their rooms with water jars.
How Does Evaporative Cooling Work?
A ducted evaporative cooler draws outside air into a head unit via humid filter pads. The warm air evaporates water, creating a cooled and humidified atmosphere circulated throughout the house via ceiling ducts and vents. Although portable evaporative coolers are available, they are inefficient.
The installation and operation of a ducted cooling system are costly.
How Much Energy Does An Evaporative Cooler Use?
Power consumption is typically low because only the fan, water pump, and water pump consume energy (200-400 watts). However, this can differ depending on domestic units’ features and capacities. Some may draw up to 2kW.
Because of their low power consumption, evaporative coolers are less efficient at converting electrical energy to cool air. More powerful air conditioners are used to keep you cool.
What Else Do I Need To Know About Evaporative Cooling?
Evaporative coolers are most effective in hot, dry climates with low humidity. This is due to the air’s greater ability to absorb water vapor. They are not suitable for humid or wet climates.
They require a consistent supply of water. If you are considering purchasing one, inquire about the water management system and the average hourly water consumption in your area. According to a 2009 study, whole-house evaporative cooling systems can consume hundreds of liters of water per day.
They require adequate ventilation. Condensation can form in the home due to high indoor humidity. As a result, it is critical to keep some windows open for air circulation.
What Exactly Is An Air Conditioner?
Air conditioners cool the outside air by transferring warm air from your home to the outside. This mechanism is very similar to how refrigerators function. Heat pumps and refrigerated coolers are other names for them.
There Are Numerous Kinds Of Air Conditioners
- Split-system air conditioners are the most common in Australia. These units have an outdoor compressor and one or more indoor outlets. These units are designed to cool up to six rooms or a 60m2 open-plan space.
- These portable air conditioners can cool rooms up to 20m2. These units use a duct to exhaust heat through a window or door. These are ideal for rooms where a separate option is unavailable (for example, if you rent), but they are less efficient than a split system.
- Air conditioners for windows and walls can be installed in windows or on external walls. They can cool open-plan spaces and rooms up to 50m2. Smaller units can be plugged into a standard power outlet, but larger units may require additional wiring. They aren’t as efficient or effective as split systems, but they can be a cost-effective alternative if you don’t have one.
- A reverse-cycle air conditioner can heat and cool your home without needing a separate heating system all year. Cooling air conditioners are less efficient than reverse-cycle air conditioners. In our guide, you can learn more about home heating.
- Ducted air conditioning units are linked to each room’s air outlets and sensors and the compressors outside via ducts. Although they are an excellent choice for cooling the entire house, they can be quite costly. Ducts, in general, deteriorate over time. After 10-15 years, cool and warm air will begin to leak from the roof cavity. We recommend you service your ducted air conditioner once a year to avoid this.
