{"id":23684,"date":"2021-04-30T15:23:48","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T13:23:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polypoles.com\/air-cooler-or-air-conditioner\/"},"modified":"2025-06-03T12:22:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T10:22:49","slug":"air-cooler-or-air-conditioner","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.polypoles.com\/en\/news\/our-expert-advice\/air-cooler-or-air-conditioner\/","title":{"rendered":"Air cooler or air conditioner?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Air cooler or air conditioner: Polypoles tells you everything!<\/h1><\/div>[vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Updated June 21, 2023<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Air coolers and air conditioners: 2 very different systems for the same purpose. Understand the differences in operation. <\/p>\n

How does the air cooler work?<\/h2>\n

The air cooler is a product that uses a natural phenomenon based on the evaporation of water on an exchange medium. It’s also known as adiabatic air cooling. In concrete terms, the ambient air you wish to cool is drawn in by a fan through the media, which is constantly humidified with water. As a result, the incoming air is cooled, and cooling gains can be in the order of 5\u00b0C to 10\u00b0C, and even up to 15\u00b0C if the intake air is very hot and dry!<\/p>\n

On average, the unit’s reservoir needs to be \u201ctopped up\u201d once every 8 hours of use. To do this, use a jug or watering can to fill the reservoir. You can also connect the cooler to a garden hose or install an automatic refill system. <\/p>\n

How does an air conditioner work compared to an air cooler?<\/h2>\n

An air conditioner comprises an evaporator (cold zone) and a condenser (hot zone). The refrigerant gas in a closed circuit is compressed and expanded by the action of the compressor. The advantage of a correctly sized air conditioner is that you can regulate your premises to a certain temperature. As it’s a relatively expensive piece of technological equipment, an air conditioner is best suited to well-insulated premises or very specific needs (server room, machine, temperature-controlled work area…). <\/p>\n

Power consumption, however, is much higher than that of an air cooler. In a building with a 30 kW heat input, an air-conditioning system will consume around 10 kW, while an air-cooling system will consume just 1 kW. Water consumption, especially in summer, will be around 25 m3 over the season. The water used will return to the atmosphere or to rainwater, as part of the natural water cycle.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12269″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”12228″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”12227″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

What are the limits of air coolers? and when can’t it be used? <\/h2>\n

It should not be used in the following situations:<\/p>\n