Evaporative Cooling: Four Essential Tips for Promoting Optimal Performance
You should consider investing in an evaporative cooler for your home if you are struggling with high AC electrical bills. In general, evaporative coolers are inexpensive to run, particularly on hot summer days. These units rely on the power of evaporation to keep the house cool, as opposed to conventional air conditioners which need refrigerant and electrical power. If you install an evaporative cooler, you can at least reduce your AC energy demands and create a more pleasant indoor climate. Here are simple tips to help you achieve the best results.
Keep the Windows Open
When running your evaporative cooler, you should plan on leaving your windows open. This practice is beneficial because it will provide fresh air to facilitate the movement of water from the cooler to your room. In addition, the open windows will prevent the continuous rise in indoor humidity. Simply speaking, the open windows will help with evacuating moist air. You do not have to open your windows wide. Cracking them open a little should be enough.
Check the Weather
You should not use an evaporative cooler in all climatic or weather conditions. The appliance will not work efficiently in some areas and during certain seasons. It is important to remember that the unit cools the home using evaporation. If the ambient conditions do not allow for evaporation, the appliance will not have a significant effect. Therefore, you should only use the cooler seasonally when the weather is hot and dry. If your environment is humid, the cooler will only make the air moister.
Utilise Cold Water
You should use regular cold water in your evaporative cooler for optimal performance. It is not uncommon for people to attempt to place warm water or ice in the cooler in order to achieve better results. Warm water will evaporate faster, but its use will not promote effective space cooling. Adding ice can seem like a good way to cool your home more. However, ice will require time to melt before having an effect, and the cooling efficiency will not be increased significantly. Soaking the pads in cold water will provide the best level of cooling.
Control Humidity
Evaporative cooling can increase the humidity of your interior space. If your home is built in a hot and dry environment, the moisture is welcome. Moreover, opening the windows will prevent humidity build-up. However, if the surrounding area is relatively humid or it is not convenient to open windows, you will need to control humidity by installing a dehumidifier.