Air cooler vs Air conditioner

Air conditioner Vs Air coolers

Definition:

Air Conditioner works on refrigeration principle and  works by using a common physical law – when a liquid turns into a gas, cooling occurs. A fan pulls warm air into the unit which then passes over refrigerant filled coils. The refrigerant absorbs the heat as it changes from a liquid to a gas. Then the resulting cold air is distributed into a room. Then the compressor puts the gas under pressure, which turns it into a liquid again. During this phase extra heat is created and it is expelled outdoors through a second set of condenser coils and a second fan. So the process for air coolers is much less complicated than air conditioners.

Air coolers:  also known as evaporative coolers and swamp coolers and works by cooling air through the natural process of evaporation. Hot dry air is sucked into the unit through a special water-soaked pad. The air then evaporates, creating cooler air, and a fan then blows it throughout a room

Differences:

different in terms of the technology they use, how energy efficient they are, and where an air cooler vs air conditioner can be used.

• Humidity Levels

  Humidity is a very important consideration when deciding between an air cooler vs an air conditioner.

  The ideal humidity range is between 30% and 50%. Having too much humidity in a home can be bad, causing various health issues, mold and mildew, and it can even compromise your home’s structure. However, you can also have too little moisture in a room. This can cause dry or itching skin, sore throat, and other health issues.

  Air coolers and air conditioners work in opposite ways to control humidity, Because air coolers take the hot dry air from the room and then cools it through evaporation, they add moisture to a room in the same way that a humidifier does.

  Air Conditioners can act as great dehumidifiers because they reduce the humidity in a room. They condense water vapor from the processed air, which then goes into a water bucket instead of back into the air. So the cold air that is dispersed back into the room is much dryer.

• Energy Efficiency

  Air coolers use a substantially lower amount of energy vs air conditioners, sometimes up to 75% less. That can equal a substantial amount of savings on your utility bill if you use an air cooler vs air conditioner. The reason so much energy is saved is because the cooling process is completely natural and so little extra energy is needed to create cool air. The only mechanical parts are the fan and water pump.

  Because air conditioners have more mechanical parts than air coolers they require more energy to operate. As explained before in the process required to cool air, air conditioners require two fans, a compressor and two sets of coils. That’s three less mechanical parts for an air cooler vs air conditioner

• Location

  Air Coolers need hot, dry air to function properly. They don’t work well in humid climates because it’s harder for evaporation to occur when there is so much moisture already in the air. Even if some evaporation is able to occur it will just make a mildly humid room even worse. They are most efficient when humidity is below 20%.  However, they can be used in areas with mild humidity too. They can be good for cooling industrial plants, commercial kitchens, construction sites, athletic events, and more.

  Air conditioners can be used in places that an air cooler cannot. They cool air much more effectively but are more expensive to use and operate. So in areas with more than 20% humidity an air conditioner is the better choice

• Environmental Effects

  Because air coolers use water as a refrigerant, they don’t contribute to any ozone depletion. Some utility companies will even offer rebates for installing an evaporative cooler in your home.

  Prior to 1994 air conditioners used harmful CFCs as a refrigerant that were found to have ozone depleting properties. So the Montreal Protocol was put into place, which banned this type of refrigerant in most countries. Now the refrigerant used is R-410a, which has lower ozone depletion potential.

  You don’t necessarily have to choose between an air cooler vs air conditioner. They can actually work well together and you can use one to supplement the other for optimal cooling of your home. You can browse the different models of air cooler vs air conditioner and see which unit best suits your needs.