As global warming causes ambient temperatures to rise, the need for air-conditioning increases, but energy costs are also rising therefore, therefore to remain cool and comfortable in your home is going to cost more and more.

Conventional refrigerative air-conditioning systems are effective against the heat and they are becoming more and more efficient, but the increase in efficiency comes at a significantly higher installation cost.

Evaporative cooling (also called green cooling) offers a solution to both cost issues – it offers a running cost of as little as a tenth of the running cost of conventional air-conditioning systems and an be down to as little as half the initial installation cost for larger areas.

Listed below are a few of the advantages that evaporative cooling offers the user:

•  Evaporative cooling does not use any gas that can have damage effects on the ozone layer.
• It does not dry out the air
• Doors and windows do not have to be closed
• There is no recycling of air, 100% fresh air is supplied all the time.
• A certain amount of filtration takes place as the air is passed through the filters. This removes a large portion of pollen and dust from the air.
• People who wear contacts are not affected compared to refrigerative air-conditioning.
• Airflow can be managed so that a degree of cooling can be experienced in rooms that do not have outlets. Even patios and verandas can receive airflow if correctly managed.
• Absolutely no greenhouse gases or Cocks are used in evaporative cooling.

Throughout the country many 1000’s of kilowatts are used in air-conditioning buildings etc. This figure could be significantly lower if evaporative cooling were used. An evaporative cooling system can often be used to cool a whole house for the same running cost, as a refrigerative system would use to cool 1 room.

“Don’t blow it – good planets are hard to find.” – Quoted in Time

Where can Evaporative cooling be used?

Anywhere where the average ambient humidity is not high. If the climate is dry and hot, then evaporative cooling can be used. The high-veld conditions are very suitable for the use of evaporative cooling

Homes:

Evaporative cooling has been used very successfully in many homes around the world and in South Africa. It is the perfect compliment to the modern home. Systems can be designed to fit into almost any home, depending on needs and budget. Systems can be adapted to fit low budget requirements or with some, imagination can be used to add value to large up market homes.

Irrespective of where the system is installed two things always remain the same, the system remains inexpensive to run and it always supplies 100% fresh air. For the health conscious that is very important.

Offices and businesses:

Because the areas to be air-conditioned in the business world are often relatively large, many companies find that a large portion of their services bill is spent on air-conditioning running costs. Furthermore in areas with high personnel density, cooling requirements are much higher, thus further increasing energy demands. This increases the strain on the air-conditioning systems, increasing the maintenance costs and often causing premature failure with the large associated repair bills.

Green cooling systems are very simple and have relatively inexpensive components and will not be damaged as a result of excessive heat loads. There are no expensive compressors or harmful gases that will need to be replaced in the event of failure. Service intervals are also greater which also helps to reduce costs.

Health and productivity benefits are also significant because there is no recycling of air. Oxygen deprivation and the associated drowsiness is eliminated, also bacteria and viruses and other contaminated air that is normally circulated through air-conditioners are carried away as the air exits through doors and windows. The chances of the spread of sickness amongst staff due to the air-conditioning system is reduced if not totally removed. Since a design airflow 30 – 35 air changes per hour is used, the entire volume of air in the room is replaced every 2 – 3 minutes. This has a positive effect on the health of staff, which in term reduces downtime and loss of productivity.

It is well known that moist air is better for the respiratory system and the skin than dry air.

All round evaporative cooling offers significant advantages to the business environment and any director, or business owner who opts for green cooling will not be making a wise choice.