February 17th, 2021 by Sarah Miles

Why air coolers could be the air-cooling solution you need

The UK may not be known for its tropical weather, but heatwaves are becoming increasingly common here yet, as a country, we continue to be ill-equipped to deal with them without the infrastructure of hotter countries. Air conditioning is the gold standard for air cooling in hot countries like Spain and Greece, but the cost can be harder to justify here when heatwaves – while temperatures can be hard to endure - can often be short-lived.

However, air conditioning is not the only answer: air coolers could be the perfect solution.

What is an air cooler and how is it different from air conditioning?

An air cooler works in a similar way to a fan – using the existing air in the room – but much more effectively. Air coolers use an evaporative process: the air is passed over water drawn into an absorbent pad from a tank. As the water evaporates, some of the heat in the air is lost. It’s the same way that the wind cools as it blows over a lake. Some come with ice packs, which further boost their cooling capabilities.

Air conditioning units are usually professionally installed, wall-mounted units, but you can get freestanding portable units as well. They suck in warm air from the room, pass it over a coolant which cools it and blows it back into the room. The heat is then transferred outside through an exhaust duct. It cycles through this system on a constant loop. Installed units need a large external unit.

MYLEK Remote Control Air Cooler with Ice Packs

Price: £130.00

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Are air coolers as effective as air conditioners?

Air conditioners do offer maximum raw cooling power compared to other solutions. Some can even double up as heaters in the winter, as well. However, the cooling power of air coolers should not be dismissed. They offer a very effective air-cooling proposition and are significantly more cooling than fans, due to the addition of water. They tick several other boxes as well, over and above both fans and air conditioners.

How do they compare on price?

One of the significant advantages air coolers have over air conditioners is cost. Not just in terms of the initial cost of purchase/installation but in terms of running costs as well. Portable air con units start at around £350 and a fully installed unit will set you back well over £1000 (plus you’ll need to be able to accommodate the external unit). Air coolers commonly cost around £60-£80.

Because they use a very simple, natural process, air coolers consume very little energy. This makes them very economical to run so you can have them on all day and night if needed, without having to worry about racking up large electricity bills.

Do air coolers have any other benefits?

They really do, they include the following:

Environmentally friendly

Because their energy consumption is so low, they are not only good for low running costs; they are also much better for your carbon footprint.
 

Evaporative Portable Air Cooler with 2 Ice packs, 3.5 Litre Capacity

Price: £70.50

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Quiet

If you are sensitive to noise then air coolers are a great solution as they run very quietly. With many cooling solutions, you have to offset the advantages of cool air with the disruption of noise but with air coolers, you don’t have to compromise. They’re no louder than a low-energy fan. In fact, they’re often quieter as the fan blades are concealed inside the unit, which muffles the sound. This makes them really good for bedrooms, allowing you to sleep, or for workplaces where excessive sound can be distracting.
 

Portable

While there is certainly an optimum position for air coolers, which is close to an open door or window to take advantage of airflow, you can, in fact, place them anywhere because they’re lightweight and on wheels so moving them is easy. They don’t require an exhaust to run externally or to be plumbed in so they’re really flexible, especially if you don’t have a lot of space. (You can also remove and store them in the winter when they’re not needed).
 

Easy to maintain yourself

Air conditioners are complex machines and require professional HVAC engineers to service them annually to keep them running well. Air coolers need little more than the tank and pad washing out periodically and a wipe over with a cloth.

So, while we may not share the same Mediterranean weather of Spain and Greece, at least we have a low-cost, eco-friendly solution to deal with the heatwaves when they do come!