If they’ve spent any time researching different types of cooling systems, they’ve probably heard that evaporative coolers are no good in humidity. They might have even heard that evaporative cooling will turn the home or office into a subtropical environment!
Like all cooling solutions, evaporative coolers have their pros and cons, and one of the major drawbacks is their relationship with humidity. But are evaporative coolers really as bad as the detractors say, and should they avoid buying an evap cooler?
Evaporative Cooling Works By Increasing Indoor Humidity
Essentially, evaporative cooling is the natural reaction between the air and moisture
Whether they know it or not, they’ve experienced the power of evaporative cooling in action. Evaporative cooling is what happens when they get out of the swimming pool or shower and suddenly feel cold. It’s also what happens when they open the window in a hot car and feel the air cool their sweaty face.
Essentially, evaporative cooling is the natural reaction between the air and moisture. The air reacts with the sweat on the face or the water from the swimming pool or the shower. That moisture evaporates and is absorbed by the air, resulting in a cool breeze.
When they translate that to an evap cooling system, it looks like this:
- The cooler draws in warm air
- The air is passed over water-soaked pads, which are kept wet using a water pump
- The air absorbs liquid water, which becomes water vapor
- The air is cooled through the natural process of evaporation
- That cooled air is distributed through the home via the installed ductwork
This process can work like a dream under the right conditions, but evaporative cooling will also increase the humidity levels. Humidity is a measure of the overall water vapor in the air, and because evap coolers absorb water to cool the air, there is inevitably more water in the air after an evaporative cooler has been used.
How Much Will An Evaporative System Increase Humidity?
Evaporative systems are sometimes called swamp coolers because they use water-soaked cooler pads
Depending on outdoor conditions, a correctly installed evaporative system may increase indoor humidity by up to 5 percent. This change generally won’t be noticed and also won’t be enough to make anyone more uncomfortable.
However, if the moisture-laden air coming from the cooler has no way to escape, the moisture levels in the home can increase to unsustainable and uncomfortable levels. In highly humid environments, using the evap cooling could even cause damp and mold to develop. Evaporative systems are sometimes called swamp coolers because they use water-soaked cooler pads, but a system that’s being used incorrectly can also cause the property to feel like a muggy swap or steamy, subtropical setting!
Installing an alternative ventilation solution
They can prevent high levels of indoor humidity by opening doors and/or windows during use or installing an alternative ventilation solution.
Evaporative coolers are open systems, so leaving the doors and windows open serves two purposes:
- It allows the moisture-laden air to escape, ensuring humidity levels never rise more than a few percent; and
- It allows the warm air that was originally in the home to escape and be replaced with cooled air!
Properly ventilating the cooler with open windows and doors will also prevent mold growth and avoid the discomfort that comes with the “swamp effect”. It’s just like when they turn on the extractor fan in the bathroom to prevent steam from settling in and causing mold problems! So, essentially, if everything is working properly, the increase in humidity should not be an issue you need to worry about.
It’s also worth mentioning that increasing humidity levels can actually be beneficial for indoor environments. If they’re experiencing hot, dry weather, bringing humidity levels up to 40%–60% can:
- Reduce eye, skin, and throat irritation caused by overly dry air
- Limit the spread of viruses and dust inside the property
- Provide greater overall comfort for everyone in the home or business!
How Does a Humid Climate Affect Evaporative Cooler Functionality?
Adding to the indoor humidity levels can also increase a feeling of stickiness and discomfort
They’ve addressed how evaporative systems add humidity to the air, but what happens if they already live in a humid climate or they’re experiencing an especially humid day? It makes sense that evaporative systems would work best in dry climates because there is very little moisture in the air to start with. This means more water can be absorbed via the cooler pads and the indoor air can reach a lower overall temperature.
In humid regions, there is more moisture in the air to start with, meaning less can be absorbed through the cooler pads, resulting in a cooling effect that is less noticeable. Adding to the indoor humidity levels can also increase a feeling of stickiness and discomfort if it is already a humid day.
- At 40% relative humidity or less, an evaporative system will work at its best
- At up to 70% relative humidity, an evaporative cooler will have a reduced cooling capacity
- At greater than 70% relative humidity, you can expect little to no benefit when running the cooler.
What humidity is too high for evap cooling? A more technical explanation
For a more technical explanation, they simply need to look at the concepts of wet bulb temperature and dry bulb temperature. Wet bulb temperature is the temperature that a thermometer would measure when covered in a wet cloth. Dry bulb temperature is the normal air temperature measured by an uncovered thermometer (ambient temperature).
When the relative humidity is at 100 percent, the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures will be the same. In other words, the air cannot absorb any more moisture at its current temperature, meaning evap cooling cannot work. The lower the wet bulb temperature is compared to the dry bulb temperature, the more effective evap cooling will be.
How Does Humidity Affect Humans?
The slower evaporation rate and increased sweat levels not only prevent them from getting cool
When humans get hot, they sweat to cool themselves down. However, sweating only works because the sweat is evaporated by the air, causing them to feel cooler. In high-humidity conditions, it takes far longer for sweat to evaporate from the body because there is already so much moisture in the air. It’s just like when humid air can’t absorb any water from the cooling system’s pads!
The slower evaporation rate and increased sweat levels not only prevent them from getting cool – it can actually cause them to heat up further. The body will also continue to sweat in an attempt to cool them down, which could lead to dehydration and heat stroke. High humidity can also cause fatigue, cramping, fainting, and other symptoms of hyperthermia.
Why Would Anyone Choose Evaporative Air Coolers in the First Place?
So, now they know:
- How evaporative systems affect humidity: They increase humidity levels, but only slightly if used properly.
- How humidity affects evaporative systems: Higher humidity makes evap cooling less effective, with very little cooling effect over 70% relative humidity.
- How humidity affects humans: It prevents us from naturally cooling down by slowing the evaporation rate of sweat, which can lead to hyperthermia and heat stroke.
With all that in mind, why should they choose evaporative cooling?
Evaporative units provide greater energy efficiency levels and lower energy bills
The truth is, in cities like Melbourne, evaporative units are incredibly effective because of the hot, dry conditions they experience throughout most of the summer. The same applies to the rest of Victoria, as well as Tasmania, SA, and parts of Western Australia.
Compared to other air conditioners, evaporated coolers are cheaper to run and offer more natural cooling that is better for the planet. Instead of using environmentally harmful refrigerants, these systems just use water. Evaporative units provide greater energy efficiency levels, lower energy bills, and less energy consumption.
Standard air conditioners
Many people prefer the breeze produced by an evaporative air cooler because these systems constantly cycle fresh air into the home. In comparison, standard air conditioners constantly absorb and cool the same air. While the evaporation of water may increase the water bills, they can still expect lower running costs overall.
Evap cooling systems are often better in larger spaces, and they can still work quite well between approximately 40-60% humidity. Above these levels, they can still run the fan on the system without running the cooling function. Even in humid conditions, increased fan speed will create air movement that makes them feel cooler. It’s not perfect, but it’s still a type of cooling similar to a ceiling fan.
