When the summer time warmth ramps up and your trusty oscillating fan begins to really feel extra like a hairdryer, it’s pure to surprise: is it time to put money into one thing stronger?
One makes use of refrigeration expertise to sit back the air and cut back humidity, whereas the opposite depends on evaporative cooling to ship a lightweight, refreshing breeze.
The suitable alternative relies on a couple of key elements – together with the scale of your area and the local weather you reside in. On this information, we examine the 2 principal varieties of house cooling home equipment, discover their professionals and cons, and aid you resolve which is greatest suited to your area.
Air conditioner vs air cooler: Which one do you have to purchase?
Each air conditioners and air coolers are designed to convey down the temperature indoors, however they achieve this in very other ways.
“An air conditioner makes use of a refrigerant cycle to chill the air, working equally to how a fridge works,” explains Nicholas Auckland, power professional at Commerce Radiators. “They draw heat air from the room, cross it over a chilly evaporator coil that accommodates refrigerant, and that is what absorbs the warmth. The cooled air is then circulated again into the room making the room chilly. The warmth that is extracted from the air is expelled exterior via a vent hose (in moveable items) or an out of doors condenser unit (in cut up programs).”
“An air cooler,against this, cools the air via the evaporation of water, moderately than refrigerant. They draw within the heat, dry air, cross it over some water soaked pads, and because the water evaporates, it absorbs warmth from the air subsequently reducing its temperature. The cooled, humidified air is then blown again into the room.”
When to decide on an air conditioner
(Picture credit score: Daikin)
“Air conditioners are perfect for massive rooms or humid environments,” says Justin Nielsen, house enchancment professional at Wolf River Electrical. “They supply exact temperature management and might considerably cut back humidity, which makes them way more efficient than air coolers in UK situations.”
Fashionable air con programs have developed significantly in recent times and are sometimes multifunctional, offering each heating and cooling from a single unit. Dean Franklin, co-founder of ADL Air Conditioning, explains: “Air conditioners don’t simply cool anymore. They switch power from the surface air, to allow them to warmth your house in winter and funky it in summer time – all in an energy-efficient manner. You additionally get the additional advantage of cleaner air, as many fashions filter out allergens, mud and pollen.”
Whereas mounted AC set up does require an expert, that upfront funding pays off in long-term consolation and power financial savings. Simply be certain your house is effectively insulated so the system can carry out at its greatest – particularly in older properties.
The professionals of air conditioners
Highly effective cooling efficiency, even in humid situations.
12 months-round use with built-in heating features.
Helps cut back indoor humidity and might enhance indoor air high quality.
Zoned temperature management out there with multi-split programs.
Might not work effectively in poorly-insulated houses.
The decision: When you’re in search of dependable, constant cooling or desire a long-term answer that may each warmth and funky your house, an air conditioner is a worthwhile funding.
Dean Franklin
Dean Franklin is an air con entrepreneur from Essex, co-founder of ADL Air Conditioning, and winner of The Apprentice 2025. He works intently with Daikin, purveyors of high-performance air con programs identified for his or her power effectivity, glossy design, and progressive local weather management expertise.
Store moveable air conditioners
Aeg Axp26u339cw Air Conditioner, White
You may set up this highly-rated moveable AC unit in minutes and management it remotely by way of the AEG App.
Professional Breeze 7000 Btu Transportable Air Conditioner
This high-performance unit options 2 fan speeds, auto temperature management, and a sleep mode for light, energy-efficient nighttime cooling.
Honeywell Hx Sequence 7000btu Transportable Air Conditioner
This moveable AC unit shouldn’t be solely highly effective but in addition energy-efficient. It operates quietly, and is easy-to-install.
When to decide on an air cooler
Air coolers – often known as evaporative coolers – provide a easy, low-energy approach to keep cool. Nonetheless, it’s essential to know the place they work greatest – and the place they fall quick.
“An air cooler reduces the room temperature by including moisture to the air and growing the relative humidity of the area,” explains Chris Michael, Chair of Meaco. “As Britain is a moist island with excessive relative humidity ranges in the summertime, an air cooler has confirmed to be of restricted use within the UK and is best suited to a lot drier climates on this planet.”
In different phrases, whereas air coolers are well-liked in arid areas the place added humidity is welcome, they’re far much less efficient in humid environments just like the UK. In truth, including extra moisture to already damp air could make an area really feel even much less snug.
There are some exceptions. Chris Michael notes that air coolers could have a task in massive, open-plan areas the place doorways and home windows are left open, corresponding to malls, marquees or warehouse-style areas – however they’re not often suited to home areas.
The professionals of air coolers
Extra inexpensive to purchase and run than air conditioners.
No set up required – merely plug in and go.
Provides moisture to dry indoor air if wanted.
The cons of air coolers
Not as efficient within the UK local weather.
Can enhance humidity in already damp rooms.
Requires common refilling and cleansing.
The decision: Air coolers are a budget-friendly, low-energy possibility that work greatest in scorching, dry environments or open, ethereal areas. However as a result of they add moisture to the air, they’re much less efficient in humid situations – that are frequent within the UK.
Chris Michael
Chris and his associate Michelle began Meaco in 1991. Meaco is now regarded internationally as a serious participant within the air con trade promoting to twenty+ international locations all through Europe, North America and South Africa. Meaco units the benchmark for high quality and growth in its sector, main by instance and lowering the power consumption of its home equipment.
Store air coolers
John Lewis Water Tank Air Cooler Fan, White
This unit comes with two ice packs and you need to use the fan setting by itself or activate the cooler as soon as the water tank is crammed up.
Professional Breeze 4-In-1 Air Cooler
This 5L evaporative air cooler gives energy-efficient cooling with adjustable speeds, oscillation, and a built-in timer for customised consolation.
Princess Sensible Air Cooler – White
This sensible air cooler means that you can set timers or personalise your personal schedules by utilizing the distant management, voice controls, or a smartphone app.
FAQs
Do air coolers work in closed rooms?
Probably not. Air coolers work by including moisture to the air, in order that they’re handiest in open or well-ventilated areas the place contemporary air can flow into. Use one in a sealed room and also you’ll seemingly find yourself with rising humidity and an area that feels stuffy moderately than cool.
Can air con assist with allergic reactions?
In line with Dean Franklin, “Some air conditioners may give you reduction out of your allergic reactions as a result of they will seize the allergens within the warmth pump filter and enhance the standard of air that you’re respiration. Not solely do air conditioners maintain you on the ultimate temperature, however in addition they take away pollution, pollen and particles out of your respiration area.”
Is air con appropriate for older houses?
Sure, you’ll be able to set up air con in an older property, although it’s price checking a couple of fundamentals first. For any air-to-air warmth pump system to work effectively, your house wants to carry on to the conditioned air, which suggests good insulation is important. When you’re uncertain about your property’s suitability, a certified HVAC installer can assess your house and advocate any upgrades that is perhaps wanted.
“Transportable air con is a wonderful manner of attempting out house cooling earlier than fascinated about investing in a set system, and much cheaper,” says Chris Michael, Chair of Meaco. “It is at all times greatest to speak via your utility with the appliance advisors first; they may have the ability to information you. However the perfect piece of recommendation for both kind, is at all times to purchase as massive a machine as you’ll be able to; you’ll by no means remorse the additional capability!”
