The Comprehensive Guide to Air Coolers: Everything You Need to Know

Mar 04, 2024

By Voltas

air cooler guide

Air coolers are becoming more popular as an alternative to air conditioners, especially in hot and dry regions. They are cheaper, more energy-efficient, and more eco-friendly than ACs. However, many still have misconceptions about how air coolers work, what types of air coolers are available, air cooler benefits, and limitations. This blog will clear all your doubts and provide a comprehensive guide to air coolers.

WHAT IS AN AIR COOLER?

An air cooler is a device that cools the air by evaporating water. It has a fan, a water tank, a pump, and wet pads. The fan draws in hot air from outside and passes it through the wet pads. The water in the pads evaporates and absorbs heat from the air, making it cooler. The cool air is then blown into the room or space where the air cooler is placed.

HOW AIR COOLERS WORK

An air cooler works on the principle of adiabatic cooling, which means that when water changes from liquid to gas, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air and lowers its temperature.

An air cooler has four main components: a fan, a water tank, a cooling pad, and a pump.

Water Tank: The water tank is the container that holds the water used for cooling. It can be either fixed or removable, depending on the design of the air cooler. Some models may also have an ice chamber to add ice cubes or cold water for enhanced cooling.
Cooling Pad: The cooling pad is the component that actually cools the air. It's typically made of materials like wood wool, cellulose, or honeycomb, and is designed to allow maximum airflow while minimizing resistance. Some models may also have a built-in dust filter to keep particles out of the air.
Fan or Blower: The fan or blower is responsible for moving air through the air cooler and distributing it around the space. There are two types: axial and centrifugal. Axial fans are more common and use blades to move air, while centrifugal fans use a spinning impeller to create a powerful breeze. Some models may also have variable speed controls for adjusting the airflow.
Pump: The pump is what circulates water from the tank to the cooling pad. Submersible pumps are commonly used in smaller air coolers, while larger units may require an external pump. Some pumps may also have sensors that automatically shut them off when the water level gets too low.

HERE'S A STEP-BY-STEP EXPLANATION OF THE PROCESS OF HOW AN AIR COOLER WORKS:

Step 1: Water is added to the tank. Depending on the model, this might involve connecting a hose or pouring water directly into the tank.
Step 2: The pump starts up and begins circulating water to the cooling pad.
Step 3: Hot air from outside the unit is drawn in through the intake vent.
Step 4: The fan or blower pushes the hot air through the cooling pad, causing the water to evaporate and lowering the temperature of the air.
Step 5: The now-cooled air is blown out of the unit through a vent or duct, dispersing it throughout the space.

This process relies on the principles of evaporation, which involves the conversion of liquid water into vapor. As water molecules transition from liquid to gas form, they absorb heat energy from the surrounding air, effectively cooling it down. By continuously circulating water through the system and allowing it to evaporate, an air cooler can efficiently chill the air without requiring any chemical refrigerants.

The cooling effect of an air cooler depends on the air's humidity level. The lower the humidity, the more water can evaporate and the more the air can be cooled. That is why air coolers work best in dry climates, where the relative humidity is below 50%.

TYPES OF AIR COOLERS

Different types of air coolers are available in the market, each with its characteristics, benefits, and limitations. The most common air coolers are:

Desert Air Cooler: This is the largest and most powerful type of air cooler, which can cool large areas and outdoor spaces. Desert Cooler has a large water tank capacity, a high airflow rate, and a thick cooling pad. It is ideal for hot and dry weather, such as deserts. However, it also consumes more electricity, makes more noise, and requires more space and maintenance than other air coolers. We already have written a blog about: What is desert air cooler? Everything you need to know.
Room Air Cooler: This is the most popular and widely used type of air cooler, which can cool small to medium-sized rooms and indoor spaces. It has a moderate water tank capacity, a medium airflow rate, and a thin cooling pad. Room cooler is suitable for places with moderately hot and dry weather, such as plains. However, it may not be very effective in places with high humidity high temperature, or poor ventilation.
Tower Air Cooler: This is the most compact and stylish type of air cooler, which can fit in any room corner and blend with the decor. The tower cooler has a small water tank capacity, a low airflow rate, and a honeycomb cooling pad. It is ideal for places with mild to moderate weather, such as hills. However, it may be unable to cool large areas or cope with extreme heat or humidity.

Other than these, some other types of air coolers are- window coolers and personal coolers.

Read also: Different Types of Air Cooler and Their Benefits

What’s convenient is that most of these air coolers aren’t that expensive and are available in the market with prices as low as Rs.10,000 and under. Here are some of the best air coolers under 10000 to purchase this summer.

BENEFITS OF AIR COOLERS

Exploring the realm of cooling solutions, the importance of air coolers surfaces as a game-changer, delivering not only refreshing breezes but also cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional air conditioning. Air coolers have many benefits, such as:

Improvement in Indoor air Quality: Air coolers do not recirculate the same air but bring in fresh air from the outside and filter it through the cooling pad. This helps to remove dust, pollen, and other pollutants from the air and improve its quality. Air coolers also increase the air's moisture level, preventing dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
Reduction in the Risk of Respiratory problems, allergies, and Other Health Issues: Air coolers do not use any refrigerants or chemicals to cool the air, unlike air conditioners, which may emit harmful gases or cause leakage. Air coolers also do not create a sudden temperature difference between the inside and outside of the room, which may cause thermal shock or stress to the body. Air coolers are, therefore, safer and healthier for the users and the environment.
Management of Overall Humidity Levels in a Room, preventing Mold and Mildew Growth: Air coolers add moisture to the air, which can help to balance the humidity levels in a room and prevent it from becoming too dry or too damp. This can prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause damage to the furniture, walls, and health of the occupants.
Reduction in Stress From Environmental Fatigue and Improvement in Sleep: Air coolers create a natural and comfortable cooling effect, which can reduce the stress and fatigue caused by the heat and improve the mood and productivity of the users. Air coolers also produce a soothing sound of water, which can create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere and help the users to sleep better.

LIMITATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Air coolers also come with their own set of drawbacks, such as:

Ineffectiveness in Humid conditions: Air coolers rely on the evaporation of water to cool the air, which means that they cannot work well in places with high humidity, such as coastal areas or monsoon seasons. The higher the humidity, the lower the evaporation rate and the cooling effect. Air coolers may also make the air too moist and uncomfortable in humid conditions.
Requirement of Good Air Cooler Ventilation: Air coolers need a constant supply of hot, dry air to function properly, meaning they need good ventilation in the room. The windows and doors of the room should be kept open or partially open to allow the hot air to enter and the cool air to exit. If the room is closed or crowded, the air cooler may not be able to cool the air effectively or may cause a buildup of humidity and heat.
Need for Regular Air Cooler Maintenance and Cleaning: Air coolers need to be maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure their optimal performance and hygiene. The water tank should be refilled and drained periodically to prevent the growth of algae, bacteria, or fungi. The cooling pad should be replaced or washed frequently to prevent clogging or deterioration. The fan and the motor should be checked and serviced occasionally to prevent malfunction or damage.
Potential Health Concerns If Not Maintained Properly: Air coolers can pose some health risks if they are not maintained properly. The water tank can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, or chikungunya. The cooling pad can become a source of allergens, such as dust mites, mold spores, or pollen, triggering asthma, hay fever, or other respiratory problems. The fan and the motor can emit noise, which can cause hearing loss, headache, or insomnia.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT AIR COOLER

Choosing Air Cooler for your home or office can be a tricky task, as you need to consider various factors, such as:

Cooling Capacity: This is the measure of how much area an air cooler can cool, usually expressed in square feet or cubic feet. You need to calculate the size of your room and choose an air cooler with a cooling capacity equal to or greater than that.
Airflow and Fan Speed: This is the measure of how much air an air cooler can circulate, usually expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM). You need to choose an air cooler that has a high airflow rate and a variable fan speed so that you can adjust the cooling intensity according to your preference and the weather conditions.
Cooling Pad Material: This is the material that is used to make the cooling pad, which is the most important part of an air cooler. There are two main types of cooling pad materials: cellulose and aspen. Cellulose is a synthetic material that has a honeycomb structure and a high water retention capacity. It is more durable, efficient, and expensive than aspen. Aspen is a natural material that has a wood wool structure and a low water retention capacity. It is less durable, efficient, and expensive than cellulose. You need to choose an air cooler that has a cooling pad material that suits your budget and your cooling needs.
Water Tank Capacity: This is the measure of how much water an air cooler can hold, usually expressed in liters. You need to choose an air cooler that has a large water tank capacity so that you do not have to refill it frequently and interrupt the cooling process. The water tank capacity of an air cooler should be proportional to its cooling capacity and airflow rate. We already have written an article about: Can we use Air Cooler without Water? Explained. Do read this article to gain more insights.
Portability and Design: This is the measure of how easy it is to move and place an air cooler in your room. You need to choose an air cooler that has a portable and compact design so that you can move it around and fit it in any corner of your room. You should look for features such as castor wheels, handles, remote control, and cord storage, which can enhance the portability and design of an air cooler.
Energy Efficiency: This is the measure of how much electricity an air cooler consumes, usually expressed in watts. You need to choose an air cooler that has a low power consumption so that you can save on your electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint. You should look for features such as inverter technology, timer, and sleep mode, which can improve the energy efficiency of an air cooler.
Noise Level: This is the measure of how much noise an air cooler produces, usually expressed in decibels (dB). You need to choose an air cooler that has a low noise level so that you can enjoy a quiet and comfortable cooling experience. You should look for features such as silent mode, a brushless motor, and aerodynamic fan blades, which can reduce the air cooler noise level.
Maintenance Requirements: This is the measure of how much time and effort you need to spend on keeping your air cooler clean and functional. You need to choose an air cooler that has low maintenance requirements so that you can save on your time and money. You should look for features such as auto drain, dust filter, water level indicator, and self-cleaning, which can simplify the maintenance process of an air cooler.
Brand Reputation and Warranty: This is the measure of how reliable and trustworthy an air cooler manufacturer is, and how long and how well they support their products. You need to choose an air cooler that has a good brand reputation and warranty so that you can get the best quality and service. You should look for features such as customer reviews, ratings, awards, certifications, and guarantees, which can indicate the brand reputation and warranty of an air cooler.
Additional Features: These are the extra features that an air cooler may offer, which can enhance its performance and convenience. You need to choose an air cooler that has additional features that suit your needs and preferences. You should look for features such as a remote control, digital display, timer, sleep mode, ice chamber, fragrance chamber, and ionizer, which can add value to your air cooler.

VOLTAS: THE LEADER IN AIR COOLERS

If you are looking for a natural and comfortable way to cool your space, you should consider buying an air cooler or a window air cooler from Voltas. Voltas is a trusted and reputed brand that offers the best air coolers and room air coolers in the market. Voltas air coolers and room air coolers are designed to provide you with optimal cooling performance, energy efficiency, and convenience.

Some of the different types of air coolers offered by Voltas are:

Window Air Cooler Wind 52 ECO: This is a compact and efficient air cooler that can be easily installed in a window. It has a 52-liter water tank capacity, a powerful fan, and a honeycomb cooling pad. It can cool up to 400 sq. ft. of area and consume only 200 watts of power. It is ideal for small to medium-sized rooms and offices.
Desert Air Cooler Grand 72E: This is a large and powerful air cooler that can cool large areas and outdoor spaces. It has a 72-liter water tank capacity, a turbo fan, and a wood wool cooling pad. It can cool up to 800 sq. ft. of area and consume only 250 watts of power. It is suitable for places with very hot and dry weather, such as deserts.
Room Air Cooler Delight 36: This is a popular and widely used air cooler that can cool small to medium-sized rooms and indoor spaces. It has a 36-liter water tank capacity, a normal fan, and a honeycomb cooling pad. It can cool up to 300 sq. ft. of area and consume only 150 watts of power. It is suitable for places with moderately hot and dry weather, such as plains.
Personal Air Cooler Alfa 15: This is a compact and stylish air cooler that can fit in any corner of the room and blend with the decor. It has a 15-liter water tank capacity, a normal fan, and a honeycomb cooling pad. It can cool up to 100 sq. ft. of area and consume only 100 watts of power. It is ideal for places with mild to moderate weather, such as hills.

CONCLUSION

In this blog, we have covered everything you need to know about air coolers, such as how they work, what types of air coolers are available, what are the benefits and limitations of using them, and how to choose the right air cooler for your home or office.

We hope that this blog has helped you to understand the concept of air coolers and to make an informed decision. Air coolers are a great option for cooling your space, as they are cheaper, more energy-efficient, and more eco-friendly than air conditioners. Since air conditioners are usually expensive and come with a not-so-easy installation process, many people prefer using air coolers in their homes.

Air Coolers also improve indoor air quality, reduce the risk of health problems, manage humidity levels, and reduce the stress from the heat. However, they also have some drawbacks, such as ineffectiveness in humid conditions, requirement of good ventilation, need for regular maintenance and cleaning, and potential health concerns if not maintained properly.

Therefore, you need to weigh the pros and cons of air coolers and consider various factors, such as cooling capacity, airflow and fan speed, cooling pad material, water tank capacity, portability and design, energy efficiency, noise level, maintenance requirements, brand reputation and warranty, and additional features, before buying one.

You also need to maintain and clean your air cooler regularly to ensure its optimal performance and hygiene. If you are looking for a natural and comfortable way to cool your space, you should give air coolers a try. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.