Difference Between Refrigerated Cooling & Evaporative Cooling

Geography

• States where evaporative coolers are popular for cooling include those in the southwest, including west Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and southeastern California. These states have high temperatures in the summer and dry air most for most the season. The majority of homes in these states have air conditioners; however, since operating evaporative coolers require a fair amount of maintenance compared to an air conditioner. The water in these locations is often hard and, as the water runs over the pads, it evaporates. The minerals in the water stick to the pads, eventually filling them with a hard crust, cutting down on the cooling potential.

Operating Costs

• As the energy efficiency of air conditioners improves, the cost of operating an air conditioner declines, bringing the cost in line with evaporative cooling expenses. However, inefficient air conditioners cost much more to operate; in dry climates, evaporative coolers cost many times less to run. The motors that power the coolers do not draw nearly the electricity that a compressor in an old unit uses. The cost of water is an issue affecting the cost-efficiency of using evaporative coolers if the price is high.

Temperature Control

• The temperature in homes is easy to control with an air conditioner. Since evaporative coolers rely on water and air to cool, the temperature indoors varies by outdoor weather conditions. Evaporative coolers run continuously, day and night, when temperatures soar. When the humidity rises, the coolers work much less efficiently. Air conditioners, on the other hand, use thermostats and seldom run continuously, unless the unit is too small for the home or room.

Interior Comfort

• Some enjoy the additional humidity that evaporative coolers create inside a home, but people who suffer from allergies may find that the constant fresh air from outdoors aggravates them. When humidity levels rise outdoors, so does the humidity inside the buildings, making the air feel sticky and promoting the growth of mold or mildew. Air conditioners remove the water in the air, regardless of the humidity outdoors. The filters in air conditioners also remove pollen, dust and pet dander. Air conditioners work most efficiently with all the windows and doors closed, while evaporative coolers need to vent through ducts or partially opened windows.