Evaporative Cooler FAQs

If you have an evaporative cooler, or are looking into installing one in your home, you probably have some questions about it. Below are some of our frequently asked questions and their answers.

What is an evaporative cooler?

An evaporative cooler is a cooling unit, often installed on your roof, that cools air through the evaporation of water. The system draws hot or warm outside air into the unit, where it passes through a series of wet filter pads supplied with water from a water tank at the base. As the water evaporates from these pads, it draws heat out of the incoming air, lowering the air temperature and adding humidity. The resulting cool, moist air is then blown into your home, providing a comfortable indoor environment. This process is most effective in hot, dry climates like Canberra, as it relies on the evaporation of moisture from the wet filter pads to achieve the cooling effect.

What are the benefits of having an evaporative cooler?

There are several benefits of having evaporative cooling in your home. These include:

• It is cost-effective. Evaporative cooling uses less energy, therefore being cheaper to run.
• More energy-efficient than traditional air conditioning systems, especially in dry climates, and can save up to 80% on running costs compared to refrigerated systems.
• Eco-friendly.
• Provides better indoor air quality. As the air is not recirculated, you will have fresh air being pushed through your home every couple of minutes, replacing stale air with outside air.
• Good in dry climates. Perfect for Canberra’s hot and dry summers, as evaporative coolers work best in hot, dry conditions.
• Easy to maintain. Evaporative cooling is easy to maintain as it only needs regular servicing.
• However, installation costs for evaporative coolers can be high due to the labour involved in installing ducting, which may double the overall cost of the system.
• Compared to air conditioners (air con, traditional air conditioning, refrigerated cooling), evaporative coolers are more energy-efficient in dry climates, but air conditioners provide better temperature control, can operate effectively in any climate, and can heat as well as cool. Evaporative coolers are less effective in humid conditions.

What is the difference between direct and indirect evaporative coolers?

Direct evaporative coolers cool incoming outside air by passing it through wet filter pads, adding humidity to the air. Indirect evaporative coolers, on the other hand, use a heat exchanger to cool the air without adding humidity, making them suitable for situations where increased indoor humidity is not desired. Portable evaporative coolers are also available for spot cooling, providing targeted cooling for small areas or individual rooms.

Is it fresh or recirculated air going through my home?

An evaporative cooler circulates fresh outside air through your home. The cooler pushes fresh air through your home every couple of minutes, improving indoor air quality and pushing out stale air.

What is draining down your evaporative cooler? How do I do it?

Draining down your evaporative cooler is the process of removing all water from the unit. This is done to prevent any pipes from freezing and causing damage to your cooler during winter.

Below are the steps to take to drain down your evaporative cooler:

1. Turn off the water supply to the evaporative cooling unit.
2. If possible – drain down your evaporative cooler. This depends on the type of unit that your home is equipped with and its installation. Near the unit’s water supply, there should be another tap which can be turned on (after you have turned the water supply off). This will drain down any remaining water from the pipe and unit.

If you do not have a drain down valve, it may be time to call a plumber to install one for you to prevent any potential issues throughout Winter.

How often should I have my evaporative cooler serviced?

We recommend having your evaporative cooler serviced annually at the start of the season to ensure that it is working at peak efficiency to keep your home cool throughout Summer. Regular maintenance and regular cleaning of the filter pads and water tank is important to prevent mineral buildup and maintain cooling efficiency.

How often should the cooling pads be replaced?

How often you replace the evaporative cooling pads depends on how often you use your cooler. It is, however, recommended that you replace the cooling pads every 5 years. This, combined with annual servicing and regular cleaning, will help your evaporative cooler to work at optimum efficiency and prevent issues like mineral buildup.

How many windows or doors do I need to have open for my evaporative cooler to work efficiently?

It is recommended to keep as many doors and windows open as possible throughout your home to allow for proper ventilation to occur. This allows for a steady supply of outside air, which is necessary for the evaporative cooling system to work effectively and to push out stale air. This will also help to prevent any of your belongings becoming damp because of the moisture in the air.

How do evaporative coolers work?

Evaporative coolers, including modern evaporative coolers and ducted evaporative coolers, work by drawing hot or warm outside air through wet filter pads supplied with water from a water tank. As water evaporates from the pads, it absorbs heat from the air, lowering the air temperature and producing cool, moist air that is then distributed throughout your home. The cooling effect relies on the evaporation of moisture from the wet filter pads and is most effective when the outside air is hot and the relative humidity is below 30%. Evaporative coolers can still function up to 50% humidity, but their performance decreases as humidity rises because water does not evaporate as easily from the pads. In humid conditions, the cooling effect is limited, and refrigerated cooling or traditional air conditioning may be more effective. When selecting a system for your local climate, consider cooling capacity, cooling power, and energy efficiency.

My evaporative cooler isn’t working properly, what should I do?

If you feel that your evaporative cooler is not working as well as it should be, then it may be time to give an evaporative cooling specialist a call. They will be able to answer any questions that you may have as well as advise you on the best course of action. If you are experiencing high humidity, running the unit at higher fan speeds can help optimize performance. Using only the fan or the lowest fan speed when possible can also help reduce running costs.

Why is water coming out of my evaporative cooler?

There are a few reasons as to why water may be coming out of your evaporative cooler.

1. If your evaporative cooler has a constant bleed system, there will be a constant flow of water whilst the cooler’s pump is running.
2. Water overflow due to levels needing to be reset.
3. If your evaporative cooler has a dump style drain valve, the water will be dumped every 6-12 hours (depending on what your cooler’s setting is) and then again after it has been turned off. This controls the quality of the water that is being used.
4. Your evaporative cooler may have a leak.

Evaporative coolers use a water management system to regulate water quality and consumption, including features like regular water bleeding or tank dumping. These systems can use a significant amount of water over summer, especially in hot, dry climates.

If you have any concerns in regards to your evaporative cooler, you should call an experienced evaporative cooling technician. They will be able to assist you with anything related to your evaporative cooler.

Do you have any questions in regards to your evaporative cooler? Would you like to have an evaporative cooler installed in your home or have your existing one replaced? Are you after an evaporative cooling service? Is your evaporative cooler not working as well as it should be? Canberra Plumbing and Drains is here to help with any of your evaporative cooling needs. Call our team on 0474 488 899 to book in your appointment today!