How Does Humidity Affect the Performance of Evaporative Coolers in Bangladesh?

An evaporative cooler, which is sometimes compared to an air conditioner, lowers air temperature by utilizing the evaporation process. Water absorbs heat during its transition from a liquid to a gas, known as evaporation. The water cools as a result of the highest-energy particles escaping first and causing a drop in temperature.

Modern evaporative coolers use cutting-edge technology to increase their efficiency, even though the basic idea of evaporative coolers and using evaporation to cool air works best in dry climates.

On a hot day, evaporative cooling can be a game-changer, giving your space the cool relief it needs. However, you must comprehend how an evaporative cooler functions to fully appreciate how it can improve your surroundings.

Well, the question comes – if evaporative coolers effective in the hot, humid weather typical of many Bangladeshi industries?

Are Evaporative Coolers Effective in Humid Environments?

Indeed, depending on the system type, evaporative cooling can be effective in humid climates. Water evaporation, which is dependent on relative humidity, is the basis of evaporative cooling. An evaporative cooler works better in hotter and drier climates.

An indirect or direct evaporative system works better than a direct evaporative system in humid environments, like coastal regions. Indirect or direct systems continue to function well in humid environments, whereas direct systems suffer in high humidity.

Evaporative coolers are most effective in areas with low relative humidity. In hot, dry air, the process of evaporating water absorbs heat, leading to a genuine decrease in temperature.

This cooling effect relies on the difference between the dry bulb temperature and the wet bulb temperature. Most air conditioning systems operate by chilling the air with cold Freon, which causes moisture to condense. Higher humidity levels result in more water being produced and drained away.

However, when the humidity is high, evaporative coolers are significantly less effective.

How to Use Evaporative Coolers to Get Around on Hot and Humid Days?

Given that evaporative coolers circulate air that is already saturated with moisture, their effectiveness is reduced in environments that are already humid. The air doesn’t get much cooler by adding more water vapor because it is already very humid.

In such circumstances, take into account the following advice to maximize the benefits of an evaporative cooler:

1. It is best to use the cooler in hot, dry, low-humidity periods.
2. Make sure there is enough water to maintain the cooling pads’ moisture content and functionality.
3. Keep a door or window partially open when working in humid conditions to reduce the amount of extra moisture buildup and support the maintenance of cooler air.

Enhancing Cooling Efficiency with Semi-Hybrid Systems in Humid Climates

Semi-Hybrid Approach With Dual-Stage Evaporative Cooling

Although evaporative cooling is a physical process, its effectiveness decreases when relative humidity levels rise to 80% or 90%. It functions best in low-humidity environments. 

For example, a semi-hybrid evaporative cooling system can provide an ideal solution in desert or coastal regions such as Dubai, where extended periods of heat and high humidity are typical. This system combines a small mechanical cooling unit with a two-stage evaporative cooling setup.

On particularly humid days, the mechanical component only comes on when the evaporative system is unable to reach the desired temperature by itself. This semi-hybrid method retains the major energy-saving advantages of evaporative cooling while enabling efficient year-round cooling. The system can function well on its own up to 90% of the time.

Application of the Semi-Hybrid System

Saving energy and promoting fresh air are becoming crucial as the world turns its attention to lowering CO2 emissions and enhancing energy efficiency. The use of semi-hybrid cooling systems at the Dubai Airports, which experience drastic swings in humidity and temperature, is one noteworthy example.

Dubai Airports installed a semi-hybrid cooling system that combines a supplemental mechanical system with two stages of evaporative cooling to manage extreme weather and high energy demands.

Furthermore, to enhance cooling effectiveness, this upgrade dramatically decreased energy use and CO2 emissions, guaranteeing a comfortable journey while adhering to sustainability objectives.

Impact of an Evaporative Cooler on Indoor Humidity

Depending on the surrounding temperature and humidity, an evaporative cooler can increase the humidity by two to five percent on average.

When the cooler’s air is vented out into well-ventilated spaces, this increase in moisture is usually not noticeable. An evaporative cooler won’t cause rust or condensation if ventilation is sufficient.

Conclusion

The humidity level at which evaporative coolers lose their effectiveness is a crucial consideration.

Evaporative coolers are reasonably priced, can drastically cut summer cooling expenses, and with proper care, can last up to twenty years. Contemporary models, particularly those that use Honeycomb Cooling Media, have improved to the point where their efficiency now rivals that of considerably more costly refrigerated air conditioners.

Even so, the climate where you live has a big impact on how effective they are. To help you determine how well an evaporative cooler might function in your area, here is a basic chart. The performance of the cooler might only be tested in those rainy months in areas like where I live, where the majority of the rain falls in a brief period.

Seek professional advice before making a purchase. Many of the simple tweaks and suggestions that people frequently forget to make can improve the efficiency of your evaporative cooler.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does humidity affect cooling capacity?

Most systems find it difficult to function properly when humidity levels rise noticeably. Excessive humidity reduces the air conditioner’s ability to cool. Overly high humidity can make your building feel warmer than it is, requiring you to run your air conditioner longer and harder to get the desired cooling effect.

What is the relationship between humidity and cooling?

Our sense of heat or cold is influenced by the moisture content of the air. Elevated humidity makes it more difficult to keep a home comfortably cool on a hot summer day because warm air retains more moisture than cold air.

How does humidity affect cold temperature?

The body does not require a cooling system in cool, humid weather, so sweating is reduced. Unlike on a hot, humid day, the high humidity does not prevent evaporation from keeping the body warm. Rainfall on a chilly day causes our clothes to become wet, which makes us feel even colder.

How does high humidity affect evaporative cooling?

Higher humidity levels will reduce the effectiveness of your evaporative cooler. Thus, operating your cooler at a relative humidity of more than 70% should yield little to no benefit.