 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Evaporative cooling vs. air conditioning | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Tombling Ltd.
Wembley House
Dozens Bank
West Pinchbeck
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE11 3ND
U.K.
|
|
  
You are here:- home
> cooling index
> evaporative cooling homepage
> evaporative cooling for businesses
Economical cooling for businesses
A typical evaporative cooler costs upto 50% less to purchase than an equivalent
refrigerated air conditioner and upto 75% less to run.
Such large savings mean they are frequently installed purely on cost grounds, without fully considering
their advantages and disadvantages, resulting in some uncomfortable working
environments and evaporative cooling gaining a bad reputation.
To create a comfortable working environment using evaporative cooling, it is necessary to appreciate
the differences between air conditioning and evaporative cooling.
Evaporative coolers and air conditioners are not the same!
Evaporative cooling and air conditioning are two very different ways of reducing
the air temperature in the workplace:
Air conditioning is best suited to cooling small to medium sealed spaces; because it works by continually recirculating and
cooling the air inside the room, doors and windows must be kept closed.
Air conditioning is unaffected by outdoor conditions, it will circulate cold air
continuously irrespective of the outdoor temperature and humidity level.
Evaporative cooling is best suited to medium to
large open space areas with good ventilation and air movement. It can be
used in small rooms and offices but adequate ventilation must be provided,
either by opening doors and windows, or fitting mechanical supply fans.
The efficiency of evaporative cooling depends on the
humidity of the incoming air. On muggy days, its cooling effect is reduced, and
in very humid conditions, it can make the workplace more uncomfortable. Luckily
such days are quite rare, but when they do occur, evaporative coolers should be
operated without cooling to provide air movement.
The disadvantages of evaporative cooling
The single biggest disadvantage of evaporative coolers is their dependence on a
constant supply of fresh air. Without it, the air in the room will become damp, the cooling effect
will be reduced and eventually stop completely, and condensation will form.
Units should be positioned near to a convenient open door or window. Where this is not possible supply
fans must be installed to deliver fresh air into the building.
Alternatively evaporative coolers can be installed outdoors (preferably in the shade), using flexible
ducting to deliver the cooled air into the workplace.
The advantages of evaporative coolers
Evaporative coolers work most efficiently when drawing fresh air from outdoors.
This offers several major benefits over refrigerated air conditioners, which recirculate
the same stale dry air over and over.
Constant cool air movement pushes heat out - along with stale
air, smoke, odours and pollution.
Constant supply of fresh moist air. Evaporative cooling does not dry out the air like refrigerated air
conditioning. Maintaining natural humidity levels prevents:
Flowers, furniture, fabrics and foodstuffs from drying out.
Static electricity from building up.
Complaints from workers about sore throats, dry eyes and running noses.
Environmentally friendly, energy efficient cooling for the workplace
Evaporative cooling is environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
It delivers superior air quality because it draws fresh air into the building, and helps businesses to
reduce their CO2, CFC and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Evaporative cooling is a viable alternative to refrigerated air
conditioning, especially in commercial
buildings such as factories, workshops and warehouses; where it will deliver
high volumes of fresh cool air at a fraction of the cost of traditional air
conditioning.
Activair evaporative coolers are available in several sizes for temporary and fixed installation
both indoors and out.
You are here:- home
> cooling index
> evaporative cooling homepage
> evaporative cooling for businesses
If you found this page useful, please take a moment
to tell a friend or colleague about it.
Copyright © 2004/6, W. Tombling Ltd.
|
|
