Evaporative air cooler or air conditioner: which to choose?

Both cool, but in different ways and for different situations. This guide helps you decide, including the cases where an evaporative air cooler is not the best option.

How each one works

An evaporative air cooler cools with natural elements: water and air. Hot outdoor air passes through a wet pad, the water evaporates and the air comes out cooler. It has no compressor and no refrigerant gas.

A conventional air conditioner cools with a compressor and a refrigerant gas, and usually recirculates the air inside the space.

Quick comparison

Aspect	Evaporative air cooler	Conventional air conditioner
Electricity use	Very low: up to 90 % less than a conventional air conditioner	Higher
Air	Renewed continuously: fresh air comes in and stale air goes out	Usually recirculates the indoor air
Doors and windows	Must be open so the air can renew	Usually closed
Humidity	Adds humidity: suits dry climates. Above 80 % humidity, switch off the pump	Does not add humidity
Maintenance	Simple: clean the tank and the pads. No compressor or gas; cheap spare parts	More complex: compressor and refrigerant gas
Open or large spaces	Works well: terraces, warehouses, workshops, events	Expensive and not very effective

When to choose each one

Choose an evaporative air cooler if…

the climate is hot and dry, like much of the south and interior of Spain;
the space is large, open or can be ventilated (terraces, workshops, warehouses, events);
you want very low electricity use and simple maintenance.

Choose air conditioning if…

the space must stay closed and unventilated;
outdoor humidity is very high for many hours;
you need precise control of indoor temperature and humidity.

Not sure which suits you?

Tell us about your space and the climate in your area, and we will tell you honestly whether an evaporative air cooler is a good option.