Evaporative coolers vs air-conditioners: Which is best for your business?

Maintaining comfortable temperatures is a universal requirement in any commercial space. From office buildings and schools to factories and warehouses, keeping heat under control is crucial to secure the health, happiness and productivity of occupants inside.

Cooling also plays a key role in preserving equipment across your facilities, preventing critical systems from breaking down and causing disruption.

But, keeping indoor air at comfortable temperatures year-round can be a significant challenge.

To maintain safe and productive conditions for people, processes and equipment, air-conditioners and evaporative coolers are the systems of choice. But which is better suited to your scenario?

In this article, we compare both cooling technologies and discuss the ways in which they differ, all to help you determine the right air cooling unit for your environment.

An introduction to evaporative coolers

Evaporative coolers harness nothing more than the natural power of evaporation to generate vast amounts of cool air.

These units work by drawing hot dry outdoor air through damp cooling pads. The cooling pads absorb the heat and the moisture in the pad evaporates, generating a stream of cool and clean air in return.

For a closer look at the benefits of evaporative cooling, check out our complete guide.

An introduction to air-conditioning units

Air-conditioning units, on the other hand, are modern cooling solutions that rely on refrigerant gases and compressors to regulate temperatures within enclosed spaces.

To do this, hot air is absorbed and expelled outside via a refrigerant. As this process occurs, chilled air is pumped back in, helping maintain optimal conditions.

What is the difference between evaporative coolers and air-conditioners?

It is not just how these units operate that makes them different – there are several key areas where evaporative cooling systems and air-conditioning units differ.

Cost-effectiveness: evaporative cooler vs air-conditioners

Because evaporative coolers employ the natural process of evaporation to generate cool air, they are exceptionally energy efficient and cost-effective to operate in larger open spaces.

As an added benefit, evaporative coolers are easy to install and require very little maintenance, further reducing the lifetime cost of these systems.

Conversely, air-conditioning relies on consumptive compressors to create and maintain the optimal climate, requiring more resources to run in large environments. However, air-con can be a more economical option in smaller, sealed environments.

Plus, A/C’s precise temperature control can generate savings in sensitive applications, such as pharmaceutical laboratories, by preserving the quality of goods for longer.

Environmental impact: evaporative cooler vs air-conditioners

As well as being significantly more energy efficient, the only byproduct of evaporative air cooling is water vapour, making these units a highly sustainable, eco-friendly method of controlling indoor temperatures.

In comparison, many air-conditioners are more damaging to the environment. Compressors require significant amounts of electricity, and the refrigerants within are potent greenhouse gases.

Usage and optimal environments: evaporative cooler vs air-conditioners

Evaporative air-conditioners can regulate temperature, humidity and air quality at the same time by introducing fresh outside air, allowing these types of coolers to operate as normal in spaces with open windows and doors.

But, relying on external conditions has its disadvantages, as the efficiency of this technology can fluctuate with the weather.

In practice, this makes these types of air coolers ideally suited to large, open commercial spaces, such as factories, warehouses and retail centres.

Air-con is able to produce target temperatures in any conditions. In addition, these systems dry air over time – beneficial in facilities where excess moisture is a constant barrier to comfort, safety and productivity.

But, as it is unable to economically cool wide open areas or spaces exposed to the elements, A/C is comparatively restrictive.

As a result, traditional air-conditioners thrive in smaller sealed areas where precise temperatures are vital, including hospitals, small offices and pharmaceutical spaces.

Maintenance and reliability: evaporative cooler vs air-conditioners

Additionally, due to their straightforward design and lack of moving parts, evaporative coolers are both reliable to run and simple to service.

That does not mean these are maintenance-free devices though. With cooling pads that need to be replaced annually, it is important to understand how to service evaporative coolers to secure the best long-term performance and efficiency.

Air-conditioning systems are also reliable and dependable climate control solutions too. The main difference is that these types of air coolers may require specialist engineers to complete periodic maintenance.

How do I choose the ideal cooler for my environment?

If you need to regulate temperatures in spacious commercial areas, like shopping centres, large offices or aircraft hangars, dependable evaporative coolers such as the BIO 18AIV work best.

For when flexibility is paramount, portable evaporative coolers like the BC 121 can spot cool specific zones – combining the benefits of this economical technology with exceptional mobility and ease of use.

Conversely, in small environments where precision is key, A/C units are often the recommended choice. This might include spaces such as small offices, hospitals and sealed pharmaceutical facilities.

And, to keep up with climatic demands that vary day-to-day, portable air-conditioners are available, such as the ACT 7, that can be easily transported and deployed wherever needed.

With that being said, preserving the health of workers, the condition of equipment, and the productivity of teams requires more than just the right type of cooler. Select the ideal system for your building by considering factors such as:

• The size of your space

• The people and products within

• The target conditions you need to achieve

• The climate surrounding your building

Dantherm Group: the European experts in air cooling solutions

There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution when it comes to meeting the cool air demands of your environment.

As European leaders in climate control, Dantherm Group guides you through the process, from start to finish, to ensure you receive only the most fitting technology.

With decades of experience, we design, manufacture and deliver high quality air cooling units for industries all over the world.

Built with sustainability, energy efficiency, durability and ease of use at their core, our solutions help businesses and buildings reach and maintain the perfect climate, all while slashing energy bills and running costs.

Plus, our far-reaching support network provides you with spare parts, repairs and technical support whenever you need, ensuring your investment is protected for years to come.

To learn more about our range of air cooling solutions across Dantherm Group, get in touch with our team, or fill out the form below.