Are Evaporative Coolers Energy-Efficient?

Evaporative coolers work differently than traditional HVAC systems. When you want to cool the air in your home or business without dramatically increasing the energy bill, it’s important to look at energy efficiency.

Are evaporative coolers energy efficient? Absolutely, and we’ll show you why that is based on the system you buy and the evaporative process that takes place.

Why Evaporative Coolers are Energy Efficient

Evaporative coolers, often known as swamp coolers, are energy efficient because of the way in which they were designed to cool the air. They use the evaporative process and work in very specific environments – hot, dry, and arid.

A steady stream of fresh air is used in evaporative coolers, which is why it’s recommended that they be installed near an open window or door. The fresh air is pushed by a fan so that it crosses over water-soaked pads. Water is absorbed into the air and pushed into the room by the fan. The water vapor cools the air down in order to reduce the temperature – often by 20 degrees or more.

When you look at the energy costs, it is considerably lower than traditional HVAC systems. There is also less upkeep because there is no need for freon or a large number of working parts.

Evaporative coolers utilize an electrical source and a water source to operate properly.

The system will work efficiently as long as a few basics are met:

• Unit is sized properly for the space
• Humidity levels aren’t above 40-50%
• Unit is properly maintained
• Fresh air is entering the space
• Air has a place to travel, either with an open window or a duct system

How Evaporative Coolers Work vs. Traditional HVAC Systems

Evaporative coolers work quite dramatically from traditional HVAC systems.

HVAC systems are expensive to install, and they are expensive to operate because of the closed system they operate within. They require larger fans and more electricity to run the systems so that it is capable of keeping air cold and circulating throughout the space.

There are, of course, pros and cons of each system.

Evaporative coolers require less maintenance and provide significant cost savings over the course of the year. They add moisture into the air without producing a mist or fog. However, if the humidity level is already too high, the systems aren’t capable of producing cool air. Additionally, evaporative coolers are quiet and don’t require chemicals. As such, they are also environmentally friendly because they don’t have as many CO2 emissions.

HVAC systems require an expensive installation as well as costs on a monthly basis. However, they operate effectively regardless of the moisture level and you can have precise temperature controls in place because of the closed-circuit system. Additionally, there is no need to attach a water source to an AC unit.

Choosing an Energy-Efficient Evaporative Cooler

Now, are evaporative coolers energy efficient? Yes. However, some are more efficient than others. At Premier Industries, Inc., we take pride in offering an array of residential, commercial, and industrial coolers that can provide energy efficiency while cooling the air. We offer reliable solutions that can be customized to meet the needs of your location.

In order to maximize the energy efficiency of your cooler, we’ll want to measure the size of the space you want to cool. This will allow us to find a system that is sized properly. Otherwise, your unit will have to work harder to cool the area.

We can calculate the various costs, including the cost of the energy as well as the cost of the water. This can be quite the savings to you over the course of the year, especially if you have operated HVAC systems in the space in the past.

When you’re ready to learn more about an evaporative air cooler for your space, contact us for a free consultation and quote.

Categorised in: Evaporative Cooling

This post was written by Mike Nicolini