Window evaporative coolers are mounted in a single window like an air conditioner and they’re designed to cool a fairly large space. For example, the Champion Cooler RWC35 2-Speed Window Evaporative Cooler can cool things down in an area up to 900 square feet in size. Recommended for areas up to 491 Sq. ft. - Cooling area depends on room conditions, such as humidity. Ice Compartment Choose models with an added ice compartment to add ice for faster cooling when needed.

It’s a challenge to find shortcomings of the Big Ass Fans Cool Space Swamp Cooler, which receives such high marks for performance and reliability. Perhaps the biggest downside is the fact that despite such a large water tank, this model only runs for about 4 hours before needing a refill, depending on climate conditions. But if you have a hose connection available, a continuous fill option can keep the tank full, eliminating the majority of worry over this limitation.Evaporative Air Coolers should not be used in enclosed spaces. Doors and windows should be opened to allow free air flow. An Air Cooler works best when placed near an open window, drawing outside air and circulating it in the room before exiting via a window or door. The maximum cooling effect is felt when a person is near the flow of air coming out of the Air Cooler. On the subject of the fan, it should be noted that Bonaire uses an axial fan rather than the more typical belt-driven squirrel cage blower, also known as a centrifugal fan. Depending on the type of ductwork you have, the Bonaire Durango Roof Top Evaporative Cooler will produce a different or louder noise than an evaporative cooler with a centrifugal fan. There are mixed opinions on which one is better, but it’s worth noting that many people do find Bonaire’s axial fan to be less noticeable, and it’s rated to operate at 64 decibels. Most importantly, the majority of users in high-heat, low-humidity conditions find that this model is more than capable of maintaining cool temperatures on hot summer days. As of July 1 2023, the government’s Energy Price Guarantee caps the per unit costs at 30p per kiloWatt-hour for electricity, so that a 100W appliance costs roughly 3p per hour to run. We’ve used this as our guide to air cooler running costs, although they may be lower depending on your tariff. The Chillmax is one of the most searched-for air coolers, but that may have more to do with JML’s hard-sell TV advertising than its cooling ability – which, to be honest, is fairly minimal. At a mere 7.5 Watts, it’s less than one twentieth as powerful as the Symphony air cooler above and could more accurately be described as a vaporiser, projecting a cloud of somewhat cool mist for about a metre. Glenn Wiseman, RASDT of Top Hat Home Comfort Services. Wiseman is a designated Residential Air System Design Technician (RASDT) by the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada. He spoke about the benefits and limitations of evaporative coolers, as well as the differences between portable and rooftop models.

Normal fans use fan blades to circulate air around the room without offering any cooling. Air coolers use the natural process of water evaporation to cool incoming hot air and use a powerful fan to evenly distribute newly cooled air. The temperature of dry air can drop significantly when liquid water transforms to water vapor (through evaporation). Do air coolers require a lot of electricity to run? A portable evaporative cooler gives you a boost of cool air wherever you need it most without the need to install a more permanent cooling solution. The Honeywell CO48PM Outdoor-Rated Portable Evaporative Cooler includes the most important features for this type of air cooler, like a GFCI plug for safety, an easy-to-fill water tank plus a continuous fill option, and air speeds up to 1,700 CFM. Whole-house evaporative coolerscome in two types and relate to how the unit forces out cool air. The most common type is a down-discharge unit, which is also often referred to as a rooftop evaporative cooler. Side discharge whole-house evaporative coolers are meant to be installed on an exterior wall of the home but include mounting options for the rooftop, as well. Location in the home: Although evaporative coolers don't need exhaust ventilation the way a portable AC does, they should ideally be used in certain areas of the home. "They’re often called swamp coolers because they can end up smelling like one, which is why we recommend using them in well-ventilated areas of the home, or even outdoors, like on a patio or porch," says DiClerico. "It’s also important to clean the coolers regularly to minimize the musty smell."

The higher power does mean the Symphony costs more to run and it is noticeably noisier than other air coolers, especially at top speed. But there are a few other things in its favour, including a mosquito net to trap inquisitive bugs (remember to clean it) and an alarm to tell you when the tank is empty. Geographical location: As mentioned above, evaporative coolers work better in certain climates, and it's important to know if one will work effectively where you live. Evaporative coolers work best in dry climates where the humidity stays well below 50%, like in the western and southernmost states. Those who live in other weather conditions, especially the Midwest or anywhere east of Kansas should consider a portable AC or window unit. Honeywell Evaporative Air Coolers are constructed with three central components: a fan, a pump system to circulate water and a honeycomb-shaped absorbent panel. The fan draws in warm air through the wet honeycomb media; evaporation converts the moisture into water vapor; and then cooler, more humid air flows out on the other side. When using an evaporative air cooler, ventilate. Open a window, or keep a door ajar, to expel over-humidity and allow for circulation of fresh, dry air. Also, be aware that the honeycomb media may have a distinct odor when first used, which will dissipate after a couple hours. How is an air cooler different from a standard fan? User-friendly features really make this model stand out for indoor use. Compared to more basic models that only have high and low fan speeds, this model includes a three-speed fan with an option for sleep mode (which gradually reduces fan speed as you drift off to sleep). Swinging louvers help to better distribute the cool, moist air throughout the room where you set up this unit. This model also includes a fan-only function, along with a timer option that can be set for up to 7.5 hours before automatically shutting off. A remote control gives you control over all these features from the comfort of your couch or chair.

The roof's foundation will need to be sturdy, with access to a water supply nearby,” adds Wiseman. Even still, whole-house evaporative coolers are generally considered to have minimal installation requirements when compared to a central air system. Portable evaporative coolers differ in size from small models, like the Honeywell 194 CFM 3-Speed Portable Evaporative Cooler, to bigger models. Portable evaporative coolers that may be used indoors and outdoors contain a water tank that can be filled from a garden hose, making them more convenient than manual refilling. The popular Hessaire MC61V Portable Evaporative Cooler is an example of how versatile this type of evaporative cooler can be—it cools up to 1,600 square feet in a well-ventilated indoor or outdoor area.As far as features go, the Honeywell keeps things simple. One dial switches between off and the three fan settings, while the other selects cooling, oscillation or cooling and oscillation. What matters more is that it dishes out a consistently good, cooling airflow, with the louvres shifting side to side to spread it over a wider area. You’ll still need to clean the honeycomb cooling membrane regularly to avoid unpleasant smells, but if you’re keener on keeping cool than faffing around with modes and features, this is the air cooler to buy. Honeywell Evaporative Air Coolers or Swamp Coolers are a cost-friendly cooling option for your home. Much like a breeze flowing across a lake or the refreshing cool air you feel near a waterfall, air coolers produce a comfortable, cool breeze with the natural process of water evaporation. When warm air is drawn into the Honeywell Evaporative Cooler, it is filtered through a wet honeycomb cooling medium, which absorbs heat and naturally cools and humidifies the air. A powerful fan pushes the cool air out of the front of the unit into the surrounding area. This no-compressor system cools naturally, efficiently and inexpensively. Because evaporative coolers rely on water or ice instead of a motor, they are simpler to maintain, use and move around, but they don't produce as much cold air as a portable AC does. Some can be hooked up directly to a hose or water source for continuous use, while others have a tank that must be manually refilled. They're a great solution for dorm rooms, outdoor areas like porches or sunrooms, garages and other smaller spaces. With some air coolers, there’s a risk of adding to the room’s humidity, which can be a problem if it already suffers from excess humidity. Plus, where water tanks are open inside the cooler, there’s also a risk of spillage – which can be a worry if you’re using a desktop model plugged into your laptop or PC.