Across a huge number of industries, there are many concerns about excessive heat in the workplace that can affect the people, products and processes crucial for a smoothly operating business. Employee comfort and equipment performance are vital in everyday work life and employers should ideally choose the most energy efficient cooling solution that also can also be installed in a cost-effective way. What’s better though, evaporative cooling vs air conditioning?
As an alternative to traditional AC refrigeration, many may be sceptical about evaporative cooling even though it is a tried and tested cooling solution. By drawing in warm air over wetted filter pads, the water naturally evaporates and takes the heat with it, producing cooler air.
This simple yet effective technology offers low running costs and a more eco-friendly system which, in turn, positively impacts your workers and operations. A cool working environment boosts business performance because a comfortable employee is a happier and more productive one.
3 Key Differences of Evaporative Cooling Systems vs Air Conditioning Units
1. Evaporative Cooling is an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Air Conditioning
Evaporative cooling is more eco-friendly than air conditioning in multiple ways. Firstly, the actual running of an evaporative cooling system is significantly more energy efficient, using only 10% of energy compared to an air conditioning system. This is because of evaporative cooling’s natural water evaporation process compared to the vapour compression in AC.
Secondly, direct evaporative cooling does not require the use of refrigerants in comparison to AC. The refrigerants used in air conditioning units, commonly hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, are a major contributor to global warming as they are potent greenhouse gases, and they require costly inspections.
2. Evaporative Cooling is the Cleaner Choice Compared to AC
Air conditioning works by recirculating indoor air within a closed system rather than replacing it with fresh outdoor air. Therefore, if your work environment produces a lot of dust, exhaust fumes or odours, these pollutants will be recirculated around the cooled area unless it is filtered out. This filtration process can often be expensive and difficult, if not impossible.
Evaporative cooling avoids this problem as it works as part of a balanced ventilation system, meaning the internal air is constantly being replaced with fresh air. When it comes to pollutants in the air, evaporative cooling eliminates the need for expensive filtration by simply exhausting the dirty air and replacing it with fresh, clean air. Not only does this significantly reduce the risk of spreading airborne diseases, but it also keeps CO2 within acceptable limits.
3. Evaporative Cooling is a Cheaper Alternative to Air Conditioning
When considering air cooling solutions for industrial buildings, warehouses and factories, it’s important to consider every aspect including cost. Looking at the capital expense, operational and maintenance costs, evaporative cooling comes out on top when compared to air conditioning – especially for larger spaces.
Running costs are typically just 10% of refrigerant-based air conditioning and less than 50% of the capital spend. Evaporative cooling can also provide cooling for large spaces which would be impossible or too expensive to cool with refrigerant-based technology. Plus, if there are specific areas of equipment that needs cooling but you don’t want to cool the entire area, spot cooling solutions are available.
If you’re deciding between evaporative cooling vs air conditioning, evaporative cooling will have less impact on your utility bills compared to traditional AC, so this is often the smarter, more affordable choice for any industry.
For a fresh air system for your gym, warehouse, data centre, factory or retail space, we can help. Based in the UK, EcoCooling’s network of installers are on hand to give you a quote for a new or replacement cooling system. Get in touch today.
- Published April 15, 2024
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Emma Beresford
Director at EcoCooling.
Driving the development of sustainable cooling solutions.
An experienced sales and marketing manager, working with SMEs to successfully develop and execute growth strategies. Key achievements have been in the identification and entry strategy for new markets via alignment and reapplication of existing IP/technology to new products and services.
