Small Space Scribes on March 27, 2020 0 Comments Air coolers and air circulators are both appliances that work to keep air moving and fresh. Both are affordable ways to minimize expensive air conditioning bills, and both can maintain a simple budgeted life. The wonderful reality is both are energy-saving alternatives to air conditioning. Air coolers are designed for people who live in areas where the relative humidity level is below 50%, whereas air circulators can help balance uneven temperatures in a room. The Benefits of an Air Cooler Besides being cost effective, air coolers (oftentimes referred to as swamp coolers or evaporative coolers) have the capacity to blow air over a wick filled with water. They need water to function. More benefits include: No refrigerants used Less expensive than an air conditioner Consumes less electricity Can run on an inverter during power outages Low maintenance An air cooler’s primary responsibility is to provide cooling relief in specific spots in your home. These handy appliances may also be an excellent complement to an air conditioner, depending on if you have a window unit or a stand-alone unit. Since heat tends to rise in every room of the house, it’s possible to have an air cooler address the upper levels and an air conditioner remain in the middle. Floorboards attract the cooler air, so placing your air cooler up higher will garner the most advantages in cooling down the room. The Downsides to an Air Cooler Although they’re inexpensive compared to an air conditioner, air coolers do have some disadvantages including: They can be noisy due to the fan and blower needed to circulate the air creating more sound. May need more maintenance–air coolers need a regular dose of cleaning. Increases the air humidity–since they require water to function, the evaporation leads to more humidity in an environment. Be cautious of your environment when choosing an air cooler. If there’s an excessive amount of air pollution, the cooler will only move it around in your home versus eliminating it. Under dry conditions, the advantages of the air cooler far outweigh the disadvantages, which is why doing your research can be the difference between ultimate comfort or total discomfort. Why Choose an Air Circulator? Air circulators work by keeping the air in the room in continual motion, whereas an air cooler uses water to give you that “wind chill effect” by blowing the air directly on you. Air circulators are seen more often in workplaces, fitness centers, and are more commonly used in homes. They are more affordable compared to an air conditioner, and provide that much-needed alternative to air coolers in terms of compactness and cooling yourself off. Circulating the air throughout an enclosed space maintains more desirable ventilation by keeping the air in motion. Air circulators are also made in a variety of different styles, including tower fans, pedestal fans, and floor fans. They’ve also gained recognition due to their quiet sound and convenience. The Benefits of an Air Circulator The air circulators of today have to meet specific standards, safety laws, and health requirements. Since one of the primary functions of air circulators is to help you maintain a proper body temperature, ensuring they’re never too hot or too cold is part of the regular customization process. Here are the main benefits of an air circulator: Creates a more comfortable environment by moving heat downwards while maintaining room temperature on an even keel. Lowers the cost of your energy bill by spreading the heat more efficiently, saving the energy needed for the air circulator to function. Minimal noise, often referred to as “white noise” due to the peaceful nature of the comfort they provide. The Bottom Line Whether you’re needing a functioning appliance all year long or simply in search of convenience and cost efficiency, you really can’t go wrong with either an air cooler or an air circulator. Each has its benefits for single-family home living, workplaces, large corporations, or on-the-go travel, yet maintaining cool air and a healthy body temperature is the overall goal. Your comfort is what matters most when choosing one over the other.
