If you are trying to decide whether to purchase a conventional air conditioner or an evaporative cooling system, you should take several factors into account. In order to make an informed decision, you should know the pros and cons of both these cooling systems, and their most important features.

Conventional Air Conditioners

The most popular conventional air conditioners are split systems. They consist of an indoor and outdoor unit. If you are looking for a solution that would allow you to both heat up the room and cool it down, reverse cycle devices might be the right fit.

This type of air conditioners uses liquid refrigerant that easily transforms into gas and vice versa. This mechanism allows the device to cool down the room by pushing the gas/liquid through compressor, condenser, and an evaporator.

Conventional air conditioners are convenient for closed areas, but if you are looking to cool down a big, spacious workshop, perhaps you should consider some other cooling option. This type requires regular maintenance by a licensed professional preferably before the cooling season. Additionally, you should clean the filter on a regular basis according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

When it comes to conventional air conditioners, size does matter. It is important to choose a model that is strong enough to heat up or cool down a certain target space; otherwise, if you select a device that is too big, you’ll end up with an electricity bill a bit higher than you expected. If you are unsure of which air conditioner to buy, consult a professional.

Besides the cooling and heating functions, you can program these devices to turn off when the desired temperature is achieved. Some models are even equipped with motion sensors that turn on the air conditioner only when someone enters the room. You can also control the fan speed, temperature, and air direction. Other features include control of the humidity level, antibacterial mode, and you can even control the air conditioner with your smartphone.

Evaporative Cooling Systems

Evaporative cooling systems consist of fans, pump, and moisture pads.

These cooling devices use water to lower the temperature of the room (or more precisely – of the space). They require constant air flow through the area which makes them convenient for spaces that are not sealed such as workshops, lobbies, factories, and warehouses. Because the device uses water, it additionally humidifies the air. Therefore it works best on locations with dry climate. Otherwise, additional humidity in the air would damage the device and cause corrosion.

These devices cool the air by pushing it through wet pads and if you are unable to provide a substantial amount of water (depending on the size of the air conditioner), you should consider using a conventional air conditioning system.

The plus side is that evaporative cooling systems consume less energy than the conventional ones; the technology is simpler, making it a cheaper option.

Similar to the previous example, one size does not fit all. However, with evaporative cooling systems, you need to calculate cubic square footage of the house, because the fan has to be strong enough to circulate the cold air through the entire area.

Conventional Air Conditioners vs. Evaporative Cooling Systems

Conventional Air Conditioners

• Work in every climate
• More expensive
• Dry the air
• Require regular maintenance
• Use air of the room
• Suitable for closed spaces/rooms
• Some devices make noise
• Require professional installation
• Have more useful features
  

Evaporative Cooling Systems

• Work best in dry climate
• Humidify the air
• Suitable for open areas
• Use fresh air
• More affordable
• More energy efficient
• Require maintenance
• Pads need to be replaced several times during the cooling season
• Humidity can be beneficial, but can also damage furniture, doors and windows, and the device itself.
• Require a lot of water to operate

The Verdict

Before purchasing an air conditioner, there are a lot of factors you should consider. If you live in a dry area, you can always go with the evaporative cooling system, however, even during one rainy day, the device will not work properly. Also, the air humidity can damage furniture, as well as the device itself. On the other hand, these devices are cheaper, easier to maintain, and are more energy efficient.

Conventional air conditioners are more expensive, but provide more comfort; they have more features, and most importantly – work perfectly in every climate. There are many energy-efficient devices on the market today that use low power input, this way, by choosing the right model you can save a significant amount of money.

So, it all depends on your needs, possibilities and of course preferences. But, if you need help or advice regarding what type of air conditioner is the best for your needs, do not hesitate to contact your local service provider.