Evaporative air cooling works by doing exactly what the name says — evaporating water — this is achieved by pumping large amounts of air through a water soaked pad — heat energy to evaporate the water comes from the air as it flows through the pad — causing the air to cool.
Unfortunately there are a large number of problems arising from the way this works:
● only works when humidity is low — generally below 30% relative humidity —
● raises the humidity — not surprising since it works by evaporating water into the air flow
● elevated humidity reduces efficiency of the house occupants’ built in evaporative cooling system (perspiration)
● elevated humidity encourages mould growth
● requires lots of ventilation — i.e. doors & windows open to allow the high rate of air flow
● ventilation requirement largely eliminates the benefit of household insulation
A modern reverse-cycle air conditioner will cool your house much more effectively for around the same cost, & heat in winter too, more cheaply than gas.
More:
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/1/23/smart-energy/why-evaporative-cooling-bad-energy-efficient-homes-0?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1104433&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / buy buying evaporative cooler summer deliver terribly poor performing inefficient cooling expensive uninstalle vaporative cooling primitive outdated superseded advances modern fast efficient reverse cycle air-conditioning air conditioning conditioner variation same technology kitchen fridge refrigerator reliable reliably heavy marketing new home owners included off-the-plan large volume standardised homes built new developments Australian urban performance evaporative coolers varies daily fluctuations temperature humidity maintenance occupants feel a bit cooler muggy high humidity conditions outside the accepted comfort zone how it works why it doesn’t work adding lots of moisture outside air pumping high volume noticeable perceivable humidity in the outdoor air below 30% RH Relative Humidity amount of moisture given temperature warmer hold more moisture cooler relative humidity two mercury filled glass thermometers dry bulb wet wick wet bulb evaporative cooler effectively operate household windows doors open security risk upgrade your building envelope compromised insulation air sealing wasted consistent insulation ceiling evaporative cooler register big thermal chimney varying temperature humidity combination seasonal winter heating requirements significant heat is lost evaporative cooling ducting induced thermal chimney effect outside the effective range for using evaporative coolers fire risk Western Australia’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority FESA catastrophic bushfire were burnt fire that startedevaporative cooler unit on the roof houses burnt Victoria’s Black Saturday fires hundreds of houses were destroyed ignited under ember attack costly servicing serviced pads replaced cost of servicing parts additional cost physical home security secure your home water leaks pad failure replace the pads water damage plumbing connections mould damp fungus fungal growth exhaust fan swelling doors door frames furniture installations seal ceiling vents damper destruction of the building thermal envelope higher winter heating requirements air pressurisation test building performance company Efficiency Matrix install insulation air seal air-seal building big bulky take up valuable space on your rooftop installing solar panels badly placed evaporative cooler block potential continuous solar panel array household’s annual electricity needs modern solution that works quality Japanese reverse cycle air-conditioner cools heats too heating cheaper heating with gas US Department of Energy California Energy Commission Sustainability Victoria Daikin Ururu Sarara 6 7 star air-conditioners energy consumption cooling performance far superior /
