Evaporative air conditioning systems

There are two main classes of air conditioning products on the market;

• Refrigerated air conditioning systems
• Evaporative air conditioning systems

Knowing and understanding the differences between the two of these is a good place to start before deciding what type of air conditioning unit you want to purchase e.g. portable, fixed, split, ducted etc.

An evaporative air conditioning system (also known as a swamp cooler) is a device that cools the air through the evaporation of water. By drawing dry, hot air over a wetting medium that is saturated in water, the heat is absorbed and cooled and then moist air is blown through the vents.

If you prefer an evaporative air conditioner you have a choice between a;

• Portable unit
• Fixed room unit (both for a single room) or a;
• Ducted air conditioning system (a whole-house solution)

Advantages of Evaporative air conditioning systems:

• Costs less to install, maintain and run because they’re less mechanically complex than a refrigerated air conditioner.
• More eco-friendly as they produce fewer emissions and use less energy than a refrigerated air conditioner.
• Uses fresh air from the outside, instead of constantly recycling stale air.
• Good for children, asthma sufferers and the elderly as the cool air still contains moisture.
• Can be portable or fixed.

Disadvantages of this system:

• Evaporative air conditioners tend not to run well in high humidity areas. While an evaporative air conditioner might work well in Canberra, in Sydney it may be a very different story. If you are new to an area, make sure you do some research about the summer heat conditions and humidity levels before opting for an evaporative air conditioner.
• Reduced security when windows and doors are open (although security vents can be installed).
• Rooms need to be well ventilated with good airflow to allow the hot air to escape otherwise it is possible for condensation to form inside the house as a result of the elevated indoor humidity.
• Can require a substantial amount of water to run.

Interested in an evaporative air conditioner for your property?

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