Introduction
Air coolers have long been considered as a cheaper alternative to air conditioners when it comes to cooling down the air temperature inside a building or room.
Also known as evaporative or purified coolers, these are simple cooling devices that use water evaporation to cool down the air.
Affordable to buy, easy to operate, and environmentally friendly, air coolers are also claimed to be more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioning systems.
They may range from small portable units to window-specific solutions to large and immovable units that are meant to be used in desserts and outdoors.
Let’s get familiar.
Personal Coolers
Personal coolers are usually smaller in appearance and portable in design which makes them perfect for small and individual spaces. Despite a smaller water tank capacity and a less powerful fan, they can provide hours and hours of non-stop cooling without consuming a lot of power or energy.
- Features: Easy to use, easy to move (lightweight), less energy consumption, and additional features including speed adjustment and water level indicators.
- Ideal Usage: Small rooms and individual spaces such as bedrooms, study areas, personal offices, and cabins.
Desert Coolers
As the name suggests, are designed for dry and hot climates or arid environments. As such, they have a higher cooling capacity than other types of air coolers. As a result, they are also larger with large water tanks and a superior airflow.
- Features: Heavy duty and durable, large water tanks, high airflow, and ability to handle higher temperatures.
- Best Suited Environments: large rooms, outdoor areas, and very hot and dry climates.
Tower Coolers
Tower coolers are tall tower-shaped air coolers with a fan-based top that rests on a base that also contains the rest of the machinery inside.
As the fan oscillates, it also sucks the outside air into the tower through the side which is then cooled down and sent out of the cooler at a 90-degree angle for a wider coverage area for circulating the cold air.
- Features: Tall and sleek design for saving space, easy to move, energy-efficient, oscillating louvers for better airflow and distribution, multiple speed settings, and remote control options.
- Ideal Spaces: Medium and small-sized rooms that have limited space for movement but require non-stop and effective cooling.
Window Coolers
Window air coolers aka window swamp coolers or evaporative coolers are a popular choice for many as they can be easily installed on windows just like the window ACs.
While consuming a lack of space, window coolers are known to provide efficient cooling by sucking the warm or dry air from outside using their water-saturated pads and then cooling the air through water evaporation.
- Features: Easy to mount on windows, needs no indoor/outdoor floor space, offers permanent and efficient cooling to specific areas, as well as improved air circulation.
- Installation and Maintenance: For best results, make sure to choose the right location or window and seal any gaps to prevent the cool air from escaping. At the same time, clean the cooling pads and fan blades regularly, and the entire unit especially before the cooling season arrives.
Room Coolers
Room coolers aka portable coolers or evaporative room coolers is a layman term for any kind of cooler that can be installed or used in a room. These may include personal air coolers, portable coolers, tower coolers, and other hybrid coolers that offer multiple functionalities.
While somewhat varying in their design, most room coolers work by drawing in hot air and passing it through water-saturated or moistened pads which cools the air by evaporating the water. The resulting cooler air is then thrown out into the room by the fan.
- Features: Portable, energy-efficient, eco-friendly, easy to use, and affordable.
- Versatility and Customization: Suitable for various settings and room sizes including homes, offices, and other commercial spaces. Can be easily installed or set up and operated with a single electricity outlet and moderate water supply.
Also Read: Types of AC for Home
Benefits of Using Air Coolers
Air coolers offer several benefits such as cost-cutting, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability among others.
Energy Efficiency
Compared to traditional ACs and fans, air coolers do not need a lot of energy to run as they do not have a compressor which is the biggest consumer of energy in air conditioners.
Instead, they use a simple mechanism of water-based cooling and a fan to circulate the cool air around the room without much energy consumption. Thus, saving the cost of utility in the end.
Portability
Most air coolers are designed to be moved easily around the house in whichever room you deem fit.
With built-in wheels for effortless movement between different spaces and rooms, easy-to-use and refill water tanks, and even purifiers in some advanced models, these portable air coolers can give you more flexibility in cooling the air temperature of different zones and rooms.
Cost-Effectiveness
Air coolers are much cheaper than air conditioning systems and require less maintenance and operational costs.
Once operational, all they need is a freshwater supply from time to time, some cleaning while you are at it, and a single power outlet to which they can be connected without any hassle of drilling a hole in the wall or setting up the ductwork as is the case with an AC.
Furthermore, you can also DIY its installation easily without having to pay for a professional service.
Environmentally Friendly
Air coolers have proven to be eco-friendly in more than one way.
For starters, they do not use any chemical or harmful agent as a coolant but rely on water which does not emit any greenhouse gases or pollute nature.
Apart from natural cooling, they also use less energy to run, have a relatively quieter operation especially, the new models, and can also improve the indoor quality of air by adding special dust filters.
Usage Scenarios
Cooling Indoor Spaces
Air coolers, in general, are perfect for indoor spaces and small rooms such as homes, shops, and offices as they are not as powerful as modern air conditioners.
However, if you live in a dry, dusty, and hot climate, then investing in a good air cooler may be your best bet as it can help maintain the necessary humidity level of the air.
Outdoor Use
Heavy-duty cooling units including desert coolers, industrial-use air coolers, and some hybrid models can also be used in outdoor spaces and open areas.
Coolers that are meant for outdoor use usually have a large water tank, higher airflow, and the capacity to endure extreme temperatures.
Maintenance and Care
Regardless of how versatile they may be, one thing that is common across all the different types of coolers, is the need to clean them regularly and refill their water tank.
- General Maintenance Tips
- Clean the cooling pads.
- Check and refill the water tank when needed.
- Clean the fan and blades.
- Inspect the water pump.
- Do thorough maintenance before the cooling season.
Other than these common issues, some models may also require a few additional steps for proper maintenance and functioning depending on their features.
- Specific Maintenance Needs for Each Type
Along with the cleaning of the fan, blades, cooling pads, and the refilling of the water tank, some coolers may also require their air filters to be cleaned or replaced in case they have them.
You might also want to clean the water tank and lines to prevent any clogging or hindrance in the water flow.
Conclusion
Air coolers are certainly a much more affordable option than air conditioners especially if you have a limited space and don’t need the full power of an AC.
They are also more effective than a wall or ceiling fan as the quality of air they produce is much more lively and fresh due to their water-based mechanism.
Available for several types of spaces and room sizes, air coolers consume significantly less energy than other air conditioning systems, thus saving operational costs as well.
As far as their maintenance is concerned, all you need to do is clean it once a twice a month and ensure proper water levels for its optimal performance.
FAQs on Types of Air Coolers
Q 1. Are air coolers good for health?
Ans: Air coolers are natural humidifiers, have no harmful emissions as they purely rely on water evaporation with no involvement of a coolant or chemical refrigerant, and improve the quality of air all the while.
As such, they have fewer risks of respiratory and airborne diseases, allergies, and heatstrokes.
Q 2. Does an air cooler work in humid conditions?
Ans: Since air coolers tend to add moisture/humidity to the air, they may not be as efficient in high-humidity areas as they are in dry and hot climates.
Q 3. How often should I clean the cooling pads?
Ans: While it all depends on the usage, for optimal performance, you should clean the cooling pads every few weeks and replace them if you see any signs of wear and tear, clogging, or damage.
Q 4. How can I improve the efficiency of my air cooler?
Ans: A few tricks to improve the efficiency of your air cooler include:
- Placing the cooler near a window or ventilated spot.
- Filling cold water and ice to enhance the cooling.
- Pre-cooling the cooling pads.
- Practicing ventilation to let the warm air out and fresh air in.
- Cleaning and maintaining the air cooler regularly.
Previous Blog
