Written by Timothy Dale | Published 12:21 PM, May 25, 2021

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An evaporative air cooler is an air conditioner that uses evaporation. The fan in the machine sucks in dry hot air through the wet medium pad. The hot air rapidly heats the top layer of moisture on the pad, evaporates the moisture and lowers the temperature in the air cooler by up to 20 degrees. This cool, moist air is then exhausted from the equipment by the same fan, which draws in the dry hot air, creating a constant airflow through the wet pad and into the nearby area.

These devices consume less energy than traditional air conditioners because they only run fans. The water for the cushion is provided by the internal water tank. When the water level is too low to cool the air properly, the water tank needs to be refilled. If evaporative air coolers seem to be a smart, cost-saving solution for your home, read on to learn about important shopping considerations and check out some of the best models on the market.

Before choosing an evaporative air cooler for your home, consider the various types available and the space that needs to be cooled, the capacity of the water tank, and features such as wheels, timers, and air swing delivery systems.

Evaporative coolers vary in size, installation location, and cooling air release angle. Types include portable, window, down discharge, side discharge, and swamp cooler.

When deciding which evaporative air cooler is best for your home, the size of the cooling area is an important consideration. You need to ensure that the equipment you purchase has the proper air output to cool the target room.

Generally, the cooling area of ​​an evaporative air cooler is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM. Calculate the CFM required for the target room by multiplying the length, width, and height of the room to find the volume, and then dividing the total by two: CFM = (L x W x H) ÷ 2.

However, the cooling method used by the evaporative air cooler affects these numbers-and the efficiency of the machine. More humid places will not see the same cooling effect as arid climates, which is why these coolers are more popular in the southwestern United States and in states such as Arizona than in hot and humid climates.

The working principle of the evaporative air cooler is to pull dry hot air through the wet medium pad. The hot air evaporates the moisture in the top layer of the pad, which can reduce the air temperature in the cooler by as much as 20 degrees. This cold air is then pushed out by a fan to cool the room. However, if there is no water source to keep the media pad moist, the evaporative air cooler is nothing more than a bulky fan.

The water for these machines is kept in an internal water tank, the size of which ranges from 0.1 gallons for small personal devices to more than 10 gallons for whole-family models. The larger the water tank, the longer the cooler can run, so if you want to run the cooler overnight, please choose a product with at least a 5-gallon water tank.

Air swing conveying system refers to the oscillating characteristics that exist on some evaporative air coolers and most fans. The oscillating shutters in the cooler control how far the cooler can oscillate, usually ranging from a fixed position (0 degrees) to 120 degrees of arc. Other common swing settings include 40 degrees and 70 degrees, allowing users to set the ideal range of motion for the cooler.

Adjustable vents are another convenient control function. Changing the angle of the vent will change the direction of the cold air flowing out of the device. This allows the user to direct the air to the ground, up or to the left or right according to where people gather.

The wheels make it easy to move the evaporative air cooler from room to room and reduce the risk of water movement and overflow in the water tank. Typically, these models have four wheels on the base, and there may be two locking wheels to stay still after the cooler is in place. Remember, even with a set of wheels, if the cooler is pulled quickly or pushed across the floor, the water in the tank will still overflow.

The timer function allows users to set the cooler to run according to personal preference and the water level in the tank. The device can work until the specified time without the risk of water shortage.

Normally, the timer can be set up to 15 hours of continuous running time. Use the 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, and 4 hour switches to quickly set the cooler within a specified duration, without having to change the dial or select a custom amount of time. When the time runs out, the device will automatically turn off-this is a particularly effective function at night when family members are sleeping. The cooler will run for a few hours and then stop after the predetermined time has elapsed.

Evaporative air coolers may have several additional functions to improve quality and versatility. These include:

This list of top products is selected based on the above important criteria, including cooler type, water tank capacity, cooling area, CFM and overall quality to help you find the right equipment to keep your home cool in hot weather.

This compact HESSAIRE evaporative air cooler has a tank capacity of 4.8 gallons and an airflow output of approximately 1,300 CFM, making it an excellent choice for rooms up to approximately 500 square feet. The evaporative air cooler is mounted on four wheels, two locking and two non-locking, making it easy to move and stay in place when in place.

Change the direction of airflow output through adjustable vents, and decide to use low or high fans. There is also an internal water pump that moves the water from the tank to the top of the cooler, ensuring that the mat stays soaked until the tank needs to be refilled. This evaporative air cooler can run for up to 4 hours when the tank is full. Or, it can be connected to a garden hose for continuous use.

Use the supplied hose adapter to connect this reasonably priced evaporative air cooler directly to the garden hose for continuous water supply. This function allows the cooler to run uninterrupted without the risk of water shortage. However, even without connecting it to a hose, a sufficient 4.8-gallon tank can run for up to 4 hours before it needs to be refilled.

The base of this HESSAIRE evaporative air cooler has four wheels and a handle on the top for easy carrying. There is also a narrow window in the front of the water tank, users can see the water level without opening the cooler. With a CFM of 1,300, it can keep up to 500 square feet cool in hot weather.

This iBaste portable evaporative air cooler is a reliable choice for personal use. It is small enough to be carried by a handle and placed on a table or bedside table. A 0.1-gallon water tank can also be filled with ice to output cooler air. Despite its compact size, the tank can be used for up to 5 hours before it needs to be refilled.

The CFM of the evaporative air cooler is about 200, suitable for home office or bedside use. The device can be plugged into an electrical connection or run on its built-in rechargeable battery. It has three speeds. For fun, the top light provides seven color options.

This evaporative air cooler is equipped with a remote control and a 12-hour timer, so it can be set to turn off automatically. With an output of 455 CFM, it can cool about 170 square feet of space, such as a bedroom, office or study. Choose between low, medium and high airspeed, and use the built-in wheels to easily move the cooler around the house.

The COMFYHOME evaporative air cooler has an easy-to-fill top load tank, which is a boon for users who have difficulty bending over. The second water tank at the bottom of the cooler can hold up to 1 gallon of water and can run for up to 12 hours. An ice pack is also included to cool the room faster.

The popularity of residential open plans requires heavy-duty evaporative air coolers like the HESSAIRE model. It has a high airflow output of 5,300 CFM and can cool 1,650 square feet. Or, you can set the cooler outdoors in hot weather to keep the terrace or deck cool-this is a great boon for people who use grills!

The evaporative air cooler is mounted on four locking wheels, can be moved easily, and can be set to swing up to 40 degrees. It has three fan speeds and an internal pump that can be turned off for fan-only cooling. The 14.6 gallon water tank can only be used for up to 4 hours, and the cooler can be directly connected to the garden hose for continuous use.

TaoTronics evaporative air coolers have an airflow output of 500 CFM and are suitable for bedrooms, offices, studies and other small living spaces. It is designed to swing up to 60 degrees to guide airflow throughout the room. Use the included remote control to turn the oscillation function on or off, or use the touch control panel on the front of the cooler.

The user can set a timer to run automatically, ranging from 30 minutes to 10 hours. There is a 1.85 gallon water tank and two ice packs included to further reduce the temperature of the output airflow. The four-wheel base allows the user to easily move the cooler.

These high-efficiency devices are an excellent choice to keep your home cool in warm weather while using less energy than standard air conditioners. If you want to learn more about how to buy, use and maintain these machines, please continue reading the answers to frequently asked questions.

The evaporative air cooler sucks in dry and warm air through the wet medium pad, causing the top water to evaporate and reducing the temperature in the cooler by 10 to 20 degrees. This evaporative cooling process works best in the hot, dry climates commonly seen in the southwestern United States, including Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, the California desert, and parts of Texas and Colorado. These coolers can operate outside of these areas, but the higher the ambient humidity, the lower the efficiency of the cooler to generate cold air.

The frequency with which the media pad needs to be replaced depends on the individual product and frequency of use. Generally, the more frequently the cooler is used, the more frequently the media pad needs to be replaced. However, some media pads can be removed, cleaned with a mild detergent, and then reinstalled.

No-in fact, evaporative air coolers actually benefit from exposure to outdoor air because they require warm, dry air to produce cool, humid air. It is recommended to open nearby windows or doors to provide a continuous source of warm and dry air to flow through the cooler.

The maintenance cost of evaporative air coolers is relatively low. During the operation throughout the hotter months, please change the water regularly and clean the media pad with water and a mild detergent to help prevent mold growth. In addition, wipe the shell of the cooler to remove dust and dirt.

When the temperature becomes cold, drain the water tank and water pipe, and then run the fan-only function for 30 minutes to an hour to dry the machine and the mat. Then store the cooler in a protected place, such as a garage, shed, or basement.

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