The air conditioner is a much-desired addition to any home.  It serves to keep the home cool and comfortable in hot, otherwise unbearable, weather.  But, what are the options available to you when it comes to cooling your home?  And, which option is best for you?

Evaporative Cooling Air Conditioner

The evaporative cooling air conditioner is an ancient method of cooling the home and is one of the most energy-efficient methods available.  In addition, an evaporative cooling air conditioner is considered to be environmentally safe because it does not require the use of harmful chemicals and it does not require a great amount of energy to operate.  An evaporative cooling air conditioner is, however, only beneficial to those living in dry climates.  This is because this system adds moisture to the air, which, in wet climates, can be quite uncomfortable. 

The evaporative cooling air conditioner works by using a vertical pad of cellulose fiber.  It includes a method for delivering water to the top of this pad, as well as a fan for drawing air through the system while the water is absorbed.  When the dry air moves over the wet pad, the water evaporates and the air is forced to give up heat.  As a result, the air moving into the home from the wet pad is cooler than the outdoor air. 

The overall effect of the evaporative cooling air conditioner depends on how much water the air is able to absorb, which is directly related to the relative humidity of the environment.  In addition, the length of time during which the air is exposed to the pad and the dispersal of moisture on the pad have an effect on the performance of the evaporative cooling air conditioner system.  The hardness and temperature of the water also plays a role in its effectiveness because this changes how quickly the water is able to evaporate.

Refrigerant Based Air Conditioner

A refrigerant based air conditioner works differently than an evaporative cooling air conditioner.  This system is designed to extract heat from a space by using a specialized refrigeration cycle.  To accomplish this, the refrigerant based air conditioner uses a heat pump to transfer heat from a heat source of a lower temperature to a heat sink of a higher temperature.  This is most commonly accomplished with the use of an electric motor and a compressor. 

Because evaporation naturally occurs when heat is absorbed and condensation occurs when it is released, refrigerant based air conditioners are also designed to actively pump a refrigerant throughout the system.  As the refrigerant is pumped into the evaporator coil, which is the cooled compartment, the low pressure and temperature causes the refrigerant to evaporate into a vapor and to release heat.  The condenser then compresses the vapor and forces it through the heat exchange coil.  This condenses the liquid and rejects the heat that was absorbed in the cooled space.

The refrigerant based air conditioner is better for use in climates with high levels of humidity because it removes humidity as it cools the air.  Refrigerant based air conditioners do, however, use far more energy than evaporative cooling air conditioners.  In addition, the refrigerant, called freon, is harmful to the environment and requires special care when removed from the air conditioning unit.