Do Evaporative Air Coolers Work in High Humidity?

Swamp coolers, better known as evaporative air coolers, have gained increasing success through energy efficiency in consumption and a naturally generated cooling process. In the process, warm air is pulled through water-soaked pads, whereupon water is evaporated to release cooler air. An important question, though, would be how these air coolers fare in high-humidity areas. Below is a debate on how such evaporative air coolers work in highly humid conditions and alternative methods of cooling applicable in such conditions.

How Evaporative Air Coolers Work

Evaporative air coolers are designed on the principle of water evaporation, which cools the air. In the process, as warm air passes over the moistened cooling pads, water evaporates and, through this process, takes a quantity of heat from the air such that it cools. This process works efficiently in low-humidity climates where air has more capacity to absorb moisture.

This is the main reason why, under arid conditions, evaporative cooling acts like a giant, inexpensive air conditioner because it consumes less power. The addition of humidity into the air also soothes individuals in dry areas.

Problems with the Use of Evaporative Air Coolers under High Humidity

Evaporative air coolers are less effective when humidity increases. Here’s why:

• Reduced Cooling Effectiveness: The more humid the air is, the higher the saturation level is, so the ability of evaporative air coolers to absorb more water will decrease. Less water will evaporate, so the cooling effect will be reduced.
• Air Saturation Limits: The more moisture in the air, the less evaporative action there is, which means less relatively cool air is brought in when the evaporative cooler is running, which can cause the air to feel stuffy rather than refreshing.
• Comfort Levels: When humidity is high, the air around you can feel sticky and muggy instead of cool and comfortable. Even in places with evaporative air coolers, the air can feel warm and humid.

When Evaporative Coolers Can Still Be of Some Help

Against all these odds, evaporative coolers can sometimes still offer some comfort at high humidity conditions under the following circumstances:

• Open or Semi-Open Spaces: Space that is at least partially open or ventilated, such as a garage, patio, or warehouse, may discover that the evaporative coolers serve to simply circulate and cool the air slightly. This air movement can create the sensation of cooler temperatures without the air itself necessarily being significantly cooler.
• Improved Aeration: The evaporative coolers will create a gentle breeze while circulating air in a room; this would somewhat diminish the high-humidity environment, though the cooling effect would be minimal.

Alternatives and Fixes for High-Humidity Regions

Following are some worthy alternatives and complementary ways to enhance cooling for people living in humid areas:

• Hybrid Systems: An evaporative cooler can be combined with any other cooling system, such as air conditioning, to maintain comfort with reduced energy use. While the AC system does more of the cooling, it allows the evaporative cooler to add in airflow and offer an efficient balance.
• Dehumidifier Integration: A dehumidifier can be applied in front of the evaporative cooler. It reduces moisture content in the air going into the device and, through that, makes the device’s work of evaporation much easier. This is quite effective indoors, where the dehumidifier might have no problem working very well.
• Air Flow Optimization: The evaporative cooler can function pretty well in well-vented areas with the opening of windows and doors allowing the extra humidity to flow out.

Conclusion

As for areas with low humidity, evaporative air coolers generally can bring many advantages. If the humidity goes high, then the rate of evaporation will be slow. So, for customers from regions that are usually highly humid, it is worth taking a look into other choices or complementary devices, too.

Wanjiada does know that, concerning different climates and space, each of them has their own particular cooling needs. More than wholesale evaporative air coolers, we have all types of climate control products that suit different environments: wholesale air circulation fans for enhanced ventilation, wholesale portable fans versatile and convenient to cool, wholesale heater fans for comfort all year round in cooler seasons. Our expertise and variety ensure you find the best in cooling and heating for any setting.

Please refer to our website for product information or call with our team to discuss the options that best suit your needs.