How Air Cooler Works - Explained with Working Principle

Feb 27, 2024

By Voltas

how air cooler works

If you are living in a hot and dry climate, you might have experienced the discomfort and inconvenience of sweating and feeling suffocated. You might have also wondered how to cool down your room or house without spending a fortune on electricity bills. Well, the answer is simple: use an air cooler.

An air cooler is one of the best air cooler for home, as it can provide a natural and energy-efficient way of cooling. There are different kinds of air coolers in the market like- r oom air coolers, personal coolers, tower coolers, window coolers, and desert coolers. An air cooler is one of the most natural and energy-efficient ways of cooling, as it does not use any refrigerant or chemicals to cool the air. It also does not emit any harmful gases or pollutants that can harm the environment or the users' health. And it’s also not that heavy on the pocket. You can get some good quality air coolers for Rs.10000 or less. Do check out our blog that lists down the best air coolers under 10000 rupee.

But how does an air cooler work? What is the air cooler working principle? And what are the advantages of an air cooler? In this blog, we will answer these questions and more. We will also explain the components of an air cooler and the step-by-step process of how air cooler works.

WHAT IS AN AIR COOLER?

An air cooler is a device that uses water and air to cool down a room or an area. It works on the principle of evaporation, which is the process of converting liquid water into vapor. When water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air and lowers its temperature. This is how an air cooler cools the air. An air cooler has a water tank or a water connection, where water is supplied and stored. A fan or a blower is attached to the air cooler, which draws in the hot and dry air from the surroundings and pushes it through a wet pad or a water tray. The water in the pad or the tray evaporates, and the air becomes cool and moist. The cooled air is then released into the room or the area through a vent or a duct.

From room and desert air coolers to window and tower air coolers, there are a variety of air coolers available in the market. Do check out our blog about the various types of air coolers to know their benefits.

COMPONENTS OF AN AIR COOLER

An air cooler has four main components: a water tank, a cooling pad, a fan or a blower, and a pump. These components work together to cool the air.

LET US LOOK AT EACH AIR COOLER COMPONENT IN DETAIL.

Water tank: The water tank is the part of the air cooler where water is stored and circulated. The water tank can be either fixed or removable, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The water tank can also have a water level indicator, which shows the amount of water left in the tank. The water tank can also have an ice chamber, which can enhance the cooling effect by adding ice cubes or cold water.
Cooling pad: The cooling pad is the part of the air cooler where water is evaporated and air is cooled. The cooling pad can be either made of wood wool, cellulose, or honeycomb, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The cooling pad can also have a dust filter, which can prevent dust or dirt from entering the air cooler or the room. The cooling pad is usually located on the sides or the back of the air cooler, and can be either fixed or removable, depending on the type and model of the air cooler.
Fan or blower: The fan or blower is the part of the air cooler that moves the air in and out of the air cooler. The fan or blower can be either axial or centrifugal, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The fan or blower can also have a variable speed control, which can adjust the speed and the direction of the air flow. The fan or blower is usually located on the top of the front of the air cooler and can be either fixed or movable, depending on the type and model of the air cooler.
Pump: The pump is the air cooler part that circulates the water from the tank to the cooling pad. The pump can be submersible or external, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The pump can also have a water level sensor, which can automatically switch off the pump when the water level is low. The pump is usually located at the bottom or the side of the air cooler and can be either fixed or removable, depending on the type and model of the air cooler.

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF AN AIR COOLER

The air cooler working principle is based on evaporation, which converts liquid water into vapor. When water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air and lowers its temperature. This is how an air cooler cools the air. The working principle of an air cooler can be explained by the following steps:

Water is stored in the tank
A pump circulates water from the tank to the cooling pad
Hot air from the environment is pulled into the cooler
Water in the cooling pad evaporates, reducing the temperature of the air
Cool air is blown out by the fan or blower

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF HOW AIR COOLER WORKS

THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF HOW AN AIR COOLER WORKS CAN BE DESCRIBED BY THE FOLLOWING POINTS:

Water is stored in the tank: The first step of how an air cooler works is to store water in the tank. The water can be either supplied from a water connection or manually filled in the tank. The water tank can have a water level indicator, which shows the amount of water left in the tank. The water tank can also have an ice chamber, which can enhance the cooling effect by adding ice cubes or cold water. Water is undoubtedly an important element of the working of an air cooler. Some people, however, prefer to use their air cooler with water. Click here to explore whether we can use use air cooler without water.

Pump circulates water from the tank to the cooling pad: The second step of how an air cooler works is to circulate water from the tank to the cooling pad. The pump is responsible for this task. The pump can be either submersible or external, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The pump can also have a water level sensor, which can automatically switch off the pump when the water level is low. The pump draws water from the tank and sends it to the cooling pad through a pipe or a tube.
Hot air from the environment is pulled into the cooler: The third step of how an air cooler works is to pull hot air from the environment into the cooler. The fan or blower is responsible for this task. The fan or blower can be either axial or centrifugal, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The fan or blower can also have a variable speed control, which can adjust the speed and the direction of the air flow. The fan or blower draws hot and dry air from the surroundings, and pushes it through the cooling pad.
Water in the cooling pad evaporates, reducing the temperature of the air: The fourth step of how an air cooler works is to evaporate water in the cooling pad, reducing the temperature of the air. The cooling pad is responsible for this task. The cooling pad can be either made of wood wool, cellulose, or honeycomb, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The cooling pad can also have a dust filter, which can prevent dust or dirt from entering the air cooler or the room. The cooling pad is wetted by the water from the pump, and the hot air from the fan or blower passes through it. The water in the cooling pad evaporates and the air becomes cool and moist. The process of evaporation lowers the temperature of the air, while increasing its humidity.
Cool air is blown out by the fan or blower: The fifth and final step of how an air cooler works is to blow out cool air by the fan or blower. The fan or blower is responsible for this task. The fan or blower can be either axial or centrifugal, depending on the type and model of the air cooler. The fan or blower can also have a variable speed control, which can adjust the speed and the direction of the airflow. The fan or blower blows out the cool and moist air from the cooling pad and distributes it in the room or the area through a vent or a duct.

ADVANTAGES OF USING AN AIR COOLER

Using an air cooler has many advantages, especially in hot and dry climates, where the humidity level is low.

SOME OF THE AIR COOLER BENEFITS ARE:

Energy efficiency: An air cooler consumes less electricity than an air conditioner, and can save up to 80% of energy costs. An air cooler can also work on inverters or generators in case of power cuts and does not need any stabilizer or voltage regulator. There are various other benefits of using an air cooler over an AC as well.
Cost-effectiveness: An air cooler is cheaper to buy and maintain than an air conditioner, and does not require any installation or ducting. An air cooler also has a longer lifespan than an air conditioner and does not need any servicing or repair.
Environmentally friendly: An air cooler does not use any refrigerant or chemicals to cool the air and does not emit any harmful gases or pollutants that can harm the environment or the health of the users. An air cooler also uses water as a natural coolant and does not deplete the ozone layer or contribute to global warming.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we have learned how an air cooler works, and what are the components and the steps involved in the cooling process. We have also explained the air cooler working principle, which is based on the principle of evaporation. We have also discussed the advantages of using an air cooler, such as energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and portability.

When choosing the best air cooler for small spaces, it's important to consider factors such as size, capacity, and energy efficiency. Look for air coolers that are specifically designed for small rooms or areas, and that have a high cooling capacity despite their compact size. Some of the best air coolers for small spaces include portable evaporative coolers, window air coolers, and personal misting fans.

Choosing the right air cooler is important to ensure cost-effective cooling. Consider factors such as the size of the room, the temperature range, and the humidity level when selecting an air cooler. Additionally, regular air cooler maintenance and troubleshooting common air cooler problems can help extend the life of your unit and minimize costs.

If you're looking for a portable cooling solution, consider investing in a portable air cooler that can be easily moved from room to room or taken outdoors. These units are perfect for camping trips, picnics, or other outdoor events where access to electricity may be limited.

Finally, it's worth noting that evaporative cooling systems are generally more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioning systems, making them a great choice for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy costs. By using an air cooler, you can enjoy a cool and comfortable summer while also being kind to the environment.