As the world looks for smarter, greener ways to stay cool, evaporative cooling, also known as adiabatic cooling, is stepping into the spotlight. It’s not just a clever alternative to traditional air conditioning, it’s a natural, sustainable, and highly effective solution for modern cooling needs. But what exactly makes it so important? Here’s why evaporative cooling matters more than ever.
Why is Evaporative Cooling Important?
1. It’s Nature’s Way of Cooling
Evaporative (adiabatic) cooling is based on natural principles; think of a sea breeze or how your skin cools when sweat evaporates. These systems pull in fresh outside air, pass it over water to cool it, and then distribute it throughout a space. No recirculated air, no harmful chemicals, just simple physics at work.
There are two main types of evaporative cooling:
- Pad Cooling (Wetted Media): Air is drawn through water-soaked pads. As the water evaporates, it cools the air, which is then delivered into the space.
- Misting Solutions: High-pressure nozzles spray a fine mist directly into the air. As it evaporates, it draws in heat from the surroundings, cooling the area. This works particularly well in outdoor or semi-open environments, like event spaces or horse bays.
2. It’s Built for Sustainability
One of the biggest advantages of evaporative cooling is that it’s incredibly energy efficient. It only operates when cooling is required, typically on warm days. In cooler weather, fresh air alone is often enough, so there’s no unnecessary energy use.
Compare that to traditional refrigeration systems, which run continuously, even in winter, to offset internal heat gains. These systems also rely on refrigerants like CFCs and HFCs, which are harmful to the environment and contribute to climate change.
EcoCooling evaporative coolers, on the other hand, use around the same electricity as a kettle to cool a 250sqm space, making them both cost-effective and climate conscious.
At EcoCooling, we’re on a mission:
“To reduce the UK’s total energy usage by 1%—by removing unnecessary refrigeration.”
3. It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All—It’s About What You Need
Evaporative cooling isn’t limited to dry climates. In India, for example, where the air is often hot and humid, adiabatic systems are still used to shave a few degrees off indoor temperatures—providing just enough relief for comfort without resorting to full air conditioning.
In contrast, the UK’s temperate climate makes evaporative cooling a game changer. On hot, dry days it performs at its absolute best. Even during the record-breaking 40°C heatwave of 2023, EcoCooling systems were measured delivering air as cool as 24°C in multiple locations across the UK.
The key is understanding your environment and your goals. If you need ultra-precise temperature control in a sealed lab, refrigeration might still have its place. But if you’re cooling people or processes in offices, warehouses, tents, or outdoor spaces, evaporative cooling can be a powerful and sustainable solution.
4. It’s Ideal for Large & Unique Spaces
Evaporative cooling really shines in places refrigeration can’t reach:
- Warehouses & Factories
- Laundries & Bakeries
- Data Centres
- Commercial Offices
- Event Tents & Marquees
- Agriculture Cooling: e.g. Poultry broiler houses or outdoor horse bays, where misting systems are used to cool racehorses before events
These are scenarios where traditional refrigeration systems are either impractical or inefficient.
Evaporative (adiabatic) cooling is more than an alternative, it’s an evolution in how we think about climate control. Whether you’re trying to improve working conditions, reduce operational costs, or make your buildings greener, it offers a clean, effective path forward.
Join us at EcoCooling as we bring energy-efficient cooling to the forefront, naturally, affordably, and responsibly.
- Published April 10, 2025
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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.
