Evaporative Coolers vs. Portable Air Conditioners

Evaporative Coolers — By Jonathan on March 2, 2010 at 10:55 am

Portable cooling units, such as evaporative coolers and portable air conditioners, are a great alternative to purchasing a centralized air conditioning system. Due their compact shape and mobility, these units are especially smart choices for those who live in an apartment or small rental property.

Unlike window units, portable cooling units can be moved from room to room as they do not require permanent installation. For consumers concerned with only cooling specific rooms rather than an entire house, portable cooling units are often a very cost-effective and energy-efficient option.

However, not all portable cooling units are created equal. Evaporative coolers and portable air conditioners work very differently, and consumers should understand how each of these units works to effectively cool a room before choosing the best option for their needs.

How They Work

Portable air conditioners are box-like units that work by drawing in warm air through special inlets. The warm air is then circulated through evaporator coils with refrigerant running through them, and then, the cooler air is blown out through the front of the unit and the warmer air is vented out through an exhaust hose.

In this way, air is continually cycled through the unit by the portable air conditioner until the room reaches the desired temperature setting. Also, the refrigerant works to not only cool the air but also dehumidify air in the room.

In contrast, evaporative coolers operate somewhat more simply and do not use refrigerant technology to cool the air. Rather, warm air is drawn into the unit through water-cooled pads, cooled by a large fan up to 20 degrees and then blown out through the same water-cooled pads to the room.

Things To Consider

Since these units work so differently, consumers should consider the following factors before purchasing a portable air conditioner or evaporative cooler.

Cost: Before selecting a cooling unit, consumers should first review their personal budget for this purchase. Evaporative coolers, which do not use refrigerant technology, are significantly cheaper than portable air conditioners and would be a good option for those on a limited budget. However, evaporative coolers are much less effective at cooling a room than portable air conditioners, so consumers should consider other factors as well.
Cooling Needs: Next, purchasers consider their cooling needs by asking how much they would prefer to lower the temperature in the room. Since coolers utilize water and evaporative cooling to lower the temperature of its airstream (by as much as 20 degrees) they are much less effective at cooling a room than portable air conditioners. Consumers with significant cooling needs should probably consider a portable air conditioner as their best option.
Humidity Level: Whether consumers live in humid or dry environment is a very important consideration before purchasing an air conditioning unit. Portable air conditioners’ refrigerant technology also works to lower humidity levels in a room so they are good options for those who live in a humid environment (humidity level above 20 percent). Also, since evaporative coolers actually add moisture to the air in a room, they are usually only good options for those who live in a very dry environment.

While they are vastly different; evaporative coolers and portable air conditioners are both good, versatile options for cooling specific rooms in a cost-effective and energy-efficient manner. With just a little research, consumers are sure to find the best option to suit their specific cooling needs.