The end is nigh for evaporative cooling in Melbourne. Gone are the long hot dry summers and instead we are facing more humidity than ever before.[1] Long term residents could be forgiven for thinking that they’d uprooted themselves and now residing somewhere along way north of here. Our climate is changing rapidly and we are needing to acknowledge these changes and adapted with it. One of our recommendations is to stop using evaporative cooling.

An Evaporative cooler is a device that removes heat through the evaporation of water. When hot dry air meets the wet cooling pads of the external unit, this causes the water to evaporate and the cool air is then circulated throughout the internal ducted area.

These units are wonderful in hot dry climates as they will add moisture into the internal environment. [2] As you already know from our opening statement, we no longer live in a hot dry environment. That means that the added moisture from the evaporative cooler in conjunction with the increased humidity of our environment, is leaving us with an increased falls risk from slippery surfaces and potential condensation and mould issues if there is insufficient ventilation inside the property. Choice states, ‘Evaporative coolers are most effective in hot, dry climates with low humidity, as the air has a greater potential to absorb water vapour. They’re not recommended for humid or wet climates.’[3]

So, if evaporative coolers are no longer an option in our area, what should you put in instead? Our favourites are ducted reverse cycle air conditioners or split systems. The benefit of being able to be used all year round its’ capacity to heat or cool, combined with the growing demand for all electric systems, these are the way forward.

We will happily install most systems on the market, but our favourite are the ones made by Kaden. Whilst Kaden is a relatively new player on the market, the company behind the brand Reece are not. With Reece’s backing we’ve seen these new units work exceptionally well and are at an affordably price bracket compared to their competitors. Your home and budget will dictate whether the ducted reverse cycle or split system is best for you and we will happily provide advice and a free quote with your home and family in mind.

If this article has brought forth any questions or queries, please get in touch with us. You can also check out Kaden here

 

 

[1] Cowie, T, January 29,2022, Oh the humidity; why does Melbourne feel like Darwin? https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/oh-the-humidity-why-does-melbourne-feel-like-darwin-20220127-p59rmw.html

 

[2] Wikipedia, April 2, 2024, Evaporative Cooler, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler#:~:text=Evaporative%20cooling%20exploits%20the%20fact,to%20water%20vapor%20(evaporation).

 

 

[3]Negrin, F, January 27, 2022, Evaporative Coolers vs Air Conditioners, https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/cooling/air-conditioners/articles/evaporative-cooler-vs-air-conditioner