Air cooler vs air conditioner
The hot Australian summer can be a blessing or a curse. While it’s prime weather for an outdoor picnic by the pool, it can be a struggle to stay cool when you’re inside. While air conditioners are considered the kings of summer, air coolers are an underestimated top choice. If you’re tossing up between a cooler or conditioner, we’ve put together a list of pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.
The benefits of an air cooler/evaporative cooler:
- Air is run through water filters and picks up droplets which evaporate and cool the air.
- These units are cheaper to purchase up front and cheaper to run long-term.
- Coolers use water as the refrigerant instead of chemicals, so they’re more eco-friendly.
- Air coolers don’t require any installation – they are most often portable on castor wheels.
- Ice bricks can be added to water tanks for added coolness.
Cons:
- In a humid environment, the water is slow to evaporate or not evaporating at all, making its most important cooling feature useless.
- If the house is poorly ventilated, the humidity is likely to rise. This will prevent the cooling process from occurring and may trigger respiratory issues.
- Water needs to be changed regularly to avoid bacteria build up.
The benefits of an air conditioner:
- An air conditioner works in nearly any environment for optimal cooling, whether it is humid or not.
- Provides peak comfort. You can set an air conditioner to deliver the perfect temperature every time.
- Most air conditioners work more quietly than air coolers. This will depend on the type of air conditioner and how it’s installed, with ducted being the quietest.
- Portable air conditioners are now available that are cheaper than central AC. They are perfect for renters, as the only installation involves venting out a window or other exhaust point, and it can be moved from room to room.
Cons:
- An air conditioner takes the air in your home and runs it through filters to reduce humidity. Repeat cycles of this can make the air very dry in your home. You can combat this by ventilating your home or using a humidifier.
- While there are eco-friendly options on the market, most air conditioners use refrigerants that are bad for the environment, as well as using a lot of power.
- Compared to their evaporative cooling cousins, air conditioners are not cheap: they can run between 2-5 times more expensive than a cooler.
- While fully installed air conditioners are quieter, portable air conditioners trade convenience for noise – if you’re using one to cool your bedroom, you may have trouble falling asleep.
There’s no clear winner between the two, but whether you need an air cooler or air conditioner will depend on your circumstances: the size of your home, your budget, and your ventilation. Luckily, there are plenty of choices on the market for you to find your perfect cooling system.
Whichever unit you choose, Devanti has you covered for summer with a wide range of air coolers, conditioners, dehumidifiers and more! Buy now for summer and enjoy cool breezes all year round.
