Evaporative cooling vs split system: Which one is best for your home?

air conditioning system in home

Dale air – Melbourne’s Air conditioning Experts

With temperatures in Melbourne hitting an time high, we’ve seen an increase in the number of enquiries for cooling systems that are suitable for the unforgiving Australian summer. Most customers seek systems that are cost-effective without being inefficient, and typically shortlist systems based on installation and maintenance costs, as a first priority. It isn’t surprising then that evaporative cooling systems tend to be a first choice for potential buyers, with lower costs than other systems.

However, when shopping for a cooling system, there are some factors other than price that would help your choice in evaporative cooling vs split system for your home. These are important deciding factors for us at Dale Air too. These include the size of your home, climate in the area you live in, and the cooling capacity that you expect. This is especially true of evaporative cooling systems, since they function quite differently from other cooling systems.

Split systems comprise two separate unit types: an outdoor compressor that heats or cools air, and one or more indoor units that regulate temperatures in a given space. The number of indoor units you opt for would depend on the size of the space and number of individual rooms in it that you would like to regulate temperatures in. Both units are connected using electrical cabling and refrigerant pipes.

Evaporative systems, on the other hand, use a water-based process that relies on evaporation. A central cooling unit is connected to a series of outlets in your home. The cooling unit draws fresh air through moistened pads which cools and filters it. The cool air then flows through the ducts into different rooms. Although the system fully ventilates fresh air, it requires a constant source of water and access to open doors and windows. The system is also most suitable for use in dry climates, since humidity hampers the evaporation process, affecting the cooling capacity.

Customers looking for a cost-effective cooling system would prefer an evaporative unit, since they are significantly cheaper to install and run. These systems consume lower electricity, and provide a constant flow of cool air throughout the house. However, they only work efficiently in drier climates, so if you live in a humid area, evaporative systems aren’t for you. They also increase the humidity in a space, and require more maintenance that other cooling system types. Evaporative systems also consume more water, hence the system is likely to push up your water bills too.

Split systems, on the other hand will work effectively in any climate, and will keep you cool despite the soaring temperature outdoors. On hotter days though, expect to keep all indoor units running, since a single unit won’t suffice. The installation costs may be relatively higher, but you can control costs by starting with a few indoor units, and scaling up later. Since these function as separate units, maintenance costs are lower, with the option to replace units that break down, instead of the whole system. Running costs are higher with split systems since they consume more electricity.

Interested in installing a cooling system in your home? Contact Dale Air today to discuss your heating and cooling needs on 1300 301 665.

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