Compare Evaporative Cooling Prices and See the Real Value

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Before you leap at what appears to be a cracking good deal on a refrigerant, split air conditioning system, take a look at the long-term value of evaporative cooling prices. If you lived in a humid and damp environment, then a refrigerant-based unit would probably suit you best, but this is not the case for Australians. In this country, the hot and arid air conditions make it an ideal climate for using the evaporative system. There are a lot of variables to be aware of when it comes to choosing a product, and all will influence the price, so do some online research, talk to friends who use a similar cooling system and learn if this is the best choice for your home.

Evaporative Cooling Prices Should Also Include Energy Usage

The first thing you’ll notice about the difference in the overall expense of an evaporative unit is that they will cost less to operate, even though installation fees can run between $3000-$6000. Energy savings are made possible due to the fact that they use a combination of outside air and a water supply to cool the air that enters your home. Refrigerants need to be cooled electrically, which can create a serious impact on your yearly energy consumption. In most cases, the evaporative method can cost as little as running a single light bulb in terms of energy usage. Before you make a choice based on the price of any air conditioning product, remember to examine the yearly cost of your energy bills. Keep in mind that water consumption should also be factored into the price of operation. Depending on the heat and dryness of the air, your unit could consume up to 50L a day in water, which ultimately is applied to your energy expenses.

Installation Costs Can Be a Necessary Expense

Many owners may think that if they install a refrigerant, split system themselves, they can save a few bucks. Yes, you can obviously save money doing your own work, but there are a few risks involved that you should consider first. First and foremost, if you install a refrigerant system on your own and don’t use a qualified technician, you may be voiding the warranty of the unit. If it stops working for some reason and you aren’t able to produce a compliance certificate, you may be out of luck in getting the manufacturer to honour the warranty. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can save any money here. Evaporative cooling prices may be higher when it comes to installation but again, this is where savings are appreciated on the yearly energy bill.

Centrifugal Fans Versus Axial Fans

Another area where cost is a consideration is in the selection of the type of fan you employ. Centrifugal fans are drum-shaped and are generally quieter, however they may tend to draw more power and are slightly more expensive than their Axial counterparts. Axial fans are propeller-shaped fans that use less energy and are slightly smaller, however they may produce more noise (depending on the specific manufacturer’s design). Depending on the size of the environment you wish to cool, you may find that a centrifugal fan is the optimal choice, however, you may also discover that an axial equivalent that does the job just as well in terms of confident air-flow and cool air production.

Celdek Pads Versus Woodwool Pads

At the heart of the evaporative system is the type of pad that is used to cool the air. You generally have two options that offer benefits. Celdek is a hardier pad made from corrugated paper with a binder, so these pads will last longer. However, they need to be protected from the elements as well as from damage caused by birds and other small creatures. Woodwool pads are generally cheaper and provide less reliable service when it comes to airflow, but they can be cleaned with high water pressure that would normally damage a Celdek pad. Wood wool doesn’t last as long as its competition and needs to be tested regularly to ensure that it’s working at the peak of its efficiency, which adds to the expense of maintenance. Your evaporative cooling prices are affected as well by the costs of maintaining the unit over its lifetime and should be tallied up. Keep in mind that salt and heavy minerals can build up on the pads, so regular changing is always required. You may want to consider the option of purchasing a salinity-based water quality system. This will allow for testing of the water and a continual “bleed off” of water to maintain the mineral levels present. If you’re using a smaller unit, however, this may be a negligible expense and can be ignored.

The Material Used in the Design Affects the Price

There are many options when it comes to the type of material that your unit will be made from. Generally evaporative units are constructed from either: Plastics (for example, Polypropylene or Polyethylene), Stainless Steel, or Marine Grade Aluminium. Depending on the location of your home, each provides unique benefits that contribute to the unit’s lifespan and also affect the overall cost. The most important factor to consider when choosing a product is its resiliency to corrosion over time. Plastics and aluminium are highly resistant to corrosion, but can suffer damage from wind, hail and other particulates in the air. Stainless Steel may weather the same, but still has a tendency to corrode due to the galvanized steel components. Though powder coating claims to be protective, if the unit undergoes continual splashing and water attack, it’s best to avoid this material altogether.

When it comes to selecting the most affordable cooling choice for your home, you first need to determine the unique needs and requirements of your home. Because the Australian and most especially Adelaide climate is so hot and dry, you should seriously consider the evaporative cooling method for both short and long-term energy cost savings. Talk to a specialist to determine the cooling system that best suits your needs and visit our evaporative cooling page for more information.