Portable Evaporative Cooler

Hot Summer days are just around the corner, and it is time to start thinking again about how to deal with the heat. If you have been considering buying an Air Cooler unit it is important to have all the facts.

An Evaporative Air Cooler uses water evaporation to cool down the air. Evaporative Air Coolers are sometimes called Swamp Fans. You can purchase a Whole-House System, a portable unit, or make your own at home.

An Air Conditioner is an air cooler that uses chemicals to remove the heat from the air. Air Conditioners come as Whole-House Systems or portable units. 

What is an Evaporative Air Cooler?

An Evaporative Air Cooler uses the science of evaporation to cool off the air in a room or building. Evaporative Air Coolers pull in hot air and cycle or run it through a water feature in the machine.

When the hot air touches the water, the water evaporates into the air. The Evaporative Air Cooler then releases the air back into the room or house and cools it off. An Evaporative Air cooler can cool down the air by 15 to 40 degrees.

In humid climates there is less room for water to evaporate into the air. In drier climates there is more room for water to evaporate in the air. Evaporative Air Coolers work better in drier climates. However, they are still able to function in humid climates so long as the humidity is not 100%.

A Whole House System uses a larger machine and vents to pull in air and release air. A Portable Unit can be moved around. It pulls air in and then blows it out using a fan. Some portable units are window units. 

You can also make an at home version by setting a fan to blow on ice cubes in a bucket. Drill holes in the bucket and the air will blow out the holes and into the room. The Ice will melt so you will want something to protect the floor.

How are they different from an Air Conditioner?

Air Conditioners work on the principle of cooling and re-cooling the air. Typically, Air Conditioners cool the air by using chemicals, which are then removed before the AC releases the air. 

Air Conditioners work best when all windows and doors are shut. This allows them to cool and re-cool the same air. 

Evaporative Air Coolers draw in fresh air. They work best when windows are open. This gives them a constant supply of air to cool. 

Since Evaporative Air Coolers cool air by evaporating water into the air if they reused the air the air would continually get more humid and harder to cool. Instead, with the windows open the fresh air can come in and be cooled and the humid and warmer air can be pushed out.

There is another huge difference between Air Conditioners and Evaporative Air Coolers: their Environmental Impact. Air Conditioners use a lot of energy, and they use chemicals which have to be safely disposed of. Evaporative Air Coolers use less energy and they do not use chemicals.

Lastly, Price is a big factor in the difference. A Whole-House Air Conditioner costs thousands to install and must be maintained twice a year. A Whole-House Evaporative Air Cooler costs less and only needs to be maintained once a year. 

Portable versions cost about the same to purchase. The difference in portable versions is the cost of the electricity to use them. A Portable Air Conditioner uses more energy than a Portable Air Cooler. Therefore, your energy bill will be less if you are using an Air Cooler than if you are using an Air Conditioner.

What is a Portable Evaporative Air Cooler?

A Portable Evaporative Cooler is a small Evaporative Cooler that you can move around or take with you when you move or travel. Portable Evaporative Coolers come in various sizes. Some are made for windows. You can move window coolers to any window that will fit them.

Others look quite similar to floor standing Air Conditioners. The main differences are on the inside. Where the cooling process happens.

The great thing about a Portable Evaporative Cooler parts is that you can save electrical energy by only using the cooler in the room you are in. You do not have to try and cool off the whole house or building.

How does a Portable Evaporative Cooler work?

Portable Evaporative Coolers have a water feature inside that allows them to draw air through the water feature. When the hot air encounters the water there is a transfer of energy. You may remember back in science class that heat is a form of energy.

When the hot air touches the water, it transfers that heat energy to the water. The water molecules speed up and the water evaporates into the air. The air has now lost some of its heat to the water molecules. The air is then released back into the room, cooler and with water to help keep you cool.

The water feature in a Portable Evaporative Cooler can be water-soaked pads, or another water holding material. It is important to have the windows open even if you are using a Portable Evaporative Cooler. Therefore, Portable Evaporative Coolers do not work as well in windowless rooms or in rooms where the windows cannot be opened.

Is a Portable Evaporative Cooler or an Evaporative Cooling System better?

If you own a home and have people working, playing, or otherwise using more than one room in your house you will need to decide if you want to get an Evaporative Cooling System in the whole house or go with multiple portable versions.

If you live alone or have a small space, a Portable Evaporative Cooler is the best option. Larger Evaporative Systems will use more energy to run. If they are cooling every room but you are only using one room then you are wasting not only energy, but water as well, on cooling rooms you are not using.

A Portable Evaporative Cooler can be moved with you from room to room. Alternatively, you can purchase multiple for different rooms and only turn them on when you need them. 

If you live in a large home with a family, decide whether you want to keep the whole house cool or just cool the rooms where people are. This is completely up to you. A Whole-House System will cost more to install than purchasing portable versions. It will also use more energy, though not as much as an Air Conditioner.

However, if you can purchase multiple portable versions and set them up in the most frequently used areas of the home. This allows you or your family to turn them on when in the room and turn them off when leaving.

Final Thoughts

The Blast Auxiliary Portable AC is one of the best Evaporative Coolers.  This small, portable unit can cool a room quickly once turned on. In addition, its “water curtain” also helps trap allergens, such as pollen or dust. 

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