Are evaporative coolers healthy?

Evaporative air coolers don't harm your health.

When it comes to our health, we tend to focus on what we eat and what exercises we do. What about the air that we breathe?

Are evaporative coolers healthy?

Evaporative coolers are not bad for you. They use the cooling power of evaporation instead of the chemicals found in normal air-conditioning. Evaporative coolers may increase the humidity of the air. This can help to ease a dry throat or dry eyes in areas with low humidity.

What is the difference between an air cooler and an air conditioner?

Standard or normal air conditioning units use chemicals and gasses to cool the air. That's why the air-con gas in cars needs to be replaced. Evaporative air coolers blow air onto water because it cools down air when it evaporates. That is why our bodies sweat to cool down. Air cons use gas, air coolers use water.

Share this health tip with your friends and family.

Is humidity good for you?

Humidity is natural. Humidifiers are often recommended for people who are sick or have a sore throat. A dry throat weakens the airways' (mouth, nasal passages, throat, lungs) defense against germs and other pathogens. Humid air is better than dry air.

Read more about: How to speed up recovery from the common cold.

You should drink more water to keep your airways from drying up, but some beverages can actually dehydrate you even more.

What chemicals or gasses are used in normal air conditioners?

HCFC's (or hydro chlorofluorocarbons) are used to cool air. HCFC's are a group of chemicals that contain fluorine, carbon, hydrogen and chlorine. They have replaced CFC's because they are less harmful towards the ozone layer.

The gases in air cons can negatively affect your health.

Are the gasses in air conditioners bad for you?

Yes. A lot of people experience a sore throat when they first start working in an air-conditioned environment. The gases in air conditioners contain chemicals that aren't natural. These gasses (like fluorine and chlorine) can negatively impact your health. Evaporative air coolers are much healthier.

Are evaporative air coolers healthier for the environment?

Yes, they are. Typical air conditioning units use combinations of chemicals like carbon, fluorine, hydrogen and chlorine. These chemicals damage the ozone layer. Evaporative air coolers use water. They also use a fraction of electricity when compared to normal air-conditioning.

Are evaporative coolers green or Eco-friendly?

Evaporative air coolers are more green and Eco-friendly than traditional air-conditioning systems. They use about a quarter of the electricity of a standard air con, size-for-size. The greenest, or most Eco-friendly option, is to avoid using electricity altogether. Evaporative coolers are a step in the right direction.

Evaporative coolers use less energy than normal air conditioning.

Do evaporative air coolers work?

Yes. They are best used in dry heat. Evaporative coolers are not suitable in humid areas (in wet heat) because they rely on evaporation to cool the air. They aren't as fast as normal air cons at cooling air, but they can reduce room temperatures by as much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10 degrees Celsius).

Read more about: Adapting to hotter and colder temperatures is actually good for your metabolism.

Disadvantages of an evaporative air cooler

• They don't cool the air as quickly as a normal air conditioner
• Not suitable in places with high humidity because they increase humidity
• Although not as much as with normal air conditioning, evaporative coolers still use electricity
• Increasing humidity in a room by too much can lead to mold growth

Do evaporative coolers cause mold?

Evaporative coolers may cause mold if they increase the humidity of a room by too much, for too long. To prevent this, don't run your air cool throughout the entire day. Switch it off when you aren't using it. Give the room time to dry out and prevent mold from growing.

How do I stop my evaporative air cooler from smelling?

Change the water regularly so that germs and bacteria don't start to grow in your cooler. Wash out the water holders to prevent germs from breeding. Do not run your air cooler all of the time. Give it time to dry out so that mold does not grow.

Clean your air cooling systems regularly.

Can I add a drop of essential oil to my evaporative cooler?

The product warranties will tell you that you should not add anything but plain water. It is okay to add a drop or two of essential oil, but don't overdo it. One or two drops should suffice. If you use more than that, you could clog up the pads that were meant to evaporate water only.

Conclusion

Switching over to an evaporative air cooler instead of normal air conditioning will reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. The added humidity may even benefit your health. These coolers use less electricity than their traditional counterparts. Make sure that you keep them clean to avoid the spread of germs and bacteria. 

Remember to always keep the environment safe if you have children or pets: Water and electricity pose a whole range of risks when they are close together. Stay Strong!

Support our website and buy this awesome Tee Shirt.