An evaporative cooler is a cooling device that uses the natural process of water evaporation to lower air temperature. Hot, dry air is pulled through water-saturated pads, where the water absorbs heat as it evaporates. The resulting cooler, humidified air is then circulated into your home.
Unlike air conditioners that use refrigerant and a compressor to cool air, evaporative coolers rely solely on the physics of evaporation. This makes them significantly more energy-efficient—using about 75% less electricity than traditional AC systems.
The key components of an evaporative cooler include:
- Cooling pads - Usually made of aspen wood shavings or rigid cellulose media, these absorb and hold water
- Water pump - Circulates water from the reservoir to keep pads saturated
- Fan/blower - Pulls hot air through the wet pads and pushes cool air into your space
- Water reservoir - Holds the water supply, typically connected to your home's water line
Evaporative coolers add moisture to the air rather than removing it, which is why they work best in dry climates where the added humidity is actually beneficial for comfort.
