The heat in Australia can be quite unforgiving. To relieve the discomfort and to ensure safety, people turn to appliances to provide cooler air. Two such appliances are evaporative air coolers and air conditioners.
Evaporative air coolers, also called evaporative air conditioners or swamp coolers, use water to alleviate heat. They are equipped with a fan that pulls in air, which then passes through a water-soaked material to get cooled. The level of cooling from evaporative air conditioners is based on ambient conditions.
Meanwhile, air conditioners use refrigerants to remove heat and moisture inside an enclosed space. A fan distributes the “conditioned” air, while the heat and moisture get dissipated outdoors. This way, air conditioners can provide exact cooling temperatures regardless of outside conditions. But whichever type you use, it’s best to have them maintained regularly. This way, you can be sure to get efficient and effective performance. Make sure to call professional evaporative air conditioning service companies and professional air conditioning technicians to perform annual or semi-annual maintenance. Doing so not only ensures quality work output but also your safety.
That said, the list below shows some of the differences between evaporative air conditioning and air conditioning service. This will help guide you when you perform your own routine inspections and maintenance.
Evaporative Air Conditioners: Water, Air Conditioners: Refrigerant
As earlier mentioned, evaporative air conditioners use water to cool the air. Before filling up the tank, you should always check that the water tank is clean. It should be free from any build-ups like dirt and sediments.
Meanwhile, air conditioners use refrigerants to cool the air. The refrigerant may need recharging if the unit takes a long time to cool the room, or if it is blowing warm or hot air. Inspect the refrigerant lines as well and see if there are any hissing noises. These are indications of a leak.
Evaporative Coolers May Need Water Tablets
As long as there aren’t any leaks, you don’t need to do or add anything to your air conditioner’s refrigerant. Meanwhile, evaporative air conditioners may need water treatment tablets. This is to minimise mineral build-up and corrosion. Water treatment tablets also help freshen the air.
Evaporative Air Conditioners Need Clean Cooling Pads
Earlier, it was mentioned that in evaporative air conditioners, air passes through a water-soaked material to get cooled. This water-soaked material is the cooling pad. If it isn’t in great condition, you won’t get ample cooling. Check if the pads are cracked or damaged. If so, you need to replace them. If they’re still in good shape, make sure they’re clean.
Air Conditioners Need Clean Coils
The coils in your air conditioner help the refrigerant absorb heat. If the coils are dirty, they can’t absorb as much heat. Clean coils mean that your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool a room.
Window Seals Make a Difference With Air Conditioners
With air conditioners, having windows seals helps prevent the cool air from escaping. This, in turn, ensures cooling efficiency. For evaporative air conditioners, there is no need for window seals. In fact, you need to open a few windows to let fresh, dry air in and damp, hot air out for the best results.
For hassle-free evaporative air conditioner or air conditioner service, get in touch with professionals. They will make sure that your appliance is in great shape and always ready to cool your home.