Do evaporative coolers work?

Megaross

shiraz99 said:

Do we really need ACs at home in this country? OK, it's been a bit warm for a few days, but the other 350 odd days of normal weather doesn't really justify the expense, surely. Not exactly MSE, imho, just saying.

Depends on you and the value it adds. I'm extremely heat sensitive, above 25 degrees and I get headaches, dizziness, nausea.

Sleeping wise I basically don't when it's hot, walking around like a zombie the whole time.

I've got a mate on the other hand who loves it like that, basks in 30+ degree heat like a lizard.

To me air conditioning is worth every penny - why bear discomfort for the stifling days of the year every year. Those few days add up and when I die I won't wish I'd never bought an air conditioner, unless the air conditioner kills me.

anon_ymous

Megaross said:

shiraz99 said:

Do we really need ACs at home in this country? OK, it's been a bit warm for a few days, but the other 350 odd days of normal weather doesn't really justify the expense, surely. Not exactly MSE, imho, just saying.

Depends on you and the value it adds. I'm extremely heat sensitive, above 25 degrees and I get headaches, dizziness, nausea.

Sleeping wise I basically don't when it's hot, walking around like a zombie the whole time.

I've got a mate on the other hand who loves it like that, basks in 30+ degree heat like a lizard.

To me air conditioning is worth every penny - why bear discomfort for the stifling days of the year every year. Those few days add up and when I die I won't wish I'd never bought an air conditioner, unless the air conditioner kills me.

Sadly the use of AC in itself is warning up the planet

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/23067049/heat-wave-air-conditioning-cooling-india-climate-change

I wonder then exactly how green heat pumps are, if they are basically just an AC in reverse 

Ectophile

I wonder then exactly how green heat pumps are, if they are basically just an AC in reverse

Greener than the alternatives for heating.

A normal electric heater is around 100% efficient at turning electricity into heat. A heat pump may be 300% efficient (depending on the weather outside).

Using less electricity for the same amount of heat has got to be good.

Megaross

waqasahmed said:

Megaross said:

shiraz99 said:

Do we really need ACs at home in this country? OK, it's been a bit warm for a few days, but the other 350 odd days of normal weather doesn't really justify the expense, surely. Not exactly MSE, imho, just saying.

Depends on you and the value it adds. I'm extremely heat sensitive, above 25 degrees and I get headaches, dizziness, nausea.

Sleeping wise I basically don't when it's hot, walking around like a zombie the whole time.

I've got a mate on the other hand who loves it like that, basks in 30+ degree heat like a lizard.

To me air conditioning is worth every penny - why bear discomfort for the stifling days of the year every year. Those few days add up and when I die I won't wish I'd never bought an air conditioner, unless the air conditioner kills me.

Sadly the use of AC in itself is warning up the planet

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/23067049/heat-wave-air-conditioning-cooling-india-climate-change

I wonder then exactly how green heat pumps are, if they are basically just an AC in reverse 

Well yes, there is always that. But for me to not use an air conditioner very occasionally on the basis of the environment does feel a bit like showing up during the middle of an earthquake to pick up a bit of litter off the floor.

anon_ymous

Ectophile said:

I wonder then exactly how green heat pumps are, if they are basically just an AC in reverse

Greener than the alternatives for heating.

A normal electric heater is around 100% efficient at turning electricity into heat. A heat pump may be 300% efficient (depending on the weather outside).

Using less electricity for the same amount of heat has got to be good.

Yeah. I looked that up after I asked the question. It appears that currently the biggy in itself is heating, but after we've decarbonised that, then the next biggy would be sustainable refrigerants that are also climate friendly 

markin

They are a heavenly even if you only need it 15 days a year, At today's price that would be £26 a year at 6kwh per 24hrs.

I got a second cheap unit last year, a multi brand model of amazon for around £300, And so far it keeps up with the Whirlpool i got 10 years ago for £600.

Too much insulation without top end windows too keep the heat out means a hot house, for me at least.

Not the actual one but the size and shape probably mean its the same insides as mine.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Conditioner-Dehumidifier-Cooling-Digital/dp/B09MT3YJLG

Or this... adding to the search  8000btu or 9000btu will probably get you lots of different brands that look very similar.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Stonehouse-Conditioning-Portable-Conditioner/dp/B07D38PKGD

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daewoo-Portable-Conditioning-Settings-Office-White/dp/B07NPNK4TG/

Sandtree

waqasahmed said:

I've seen this 

https://amzn.eu/d/dnB2lK5

And it certainly *looks* good but it might not work so well on our most "warmest" of days given high humidity levels? I can't recall us having many hot days with dry heat, where these would surely work better? 

Would there also be mould issues? Even if the window is open all night? 

When it comes to the alternatives:
Fans basically only move warm air around Even portable AC needs to be vented due to the nature of how they work  and AC is ridiculously expensive anyway, both to buy and also to run. 

Fans do not cool the room but they can still cool you via wind chill and increased evaporation rate of sweat etc.

All this is is a fan with some ice behind it, you can achieve similar with a few freezer packs behind a normal fan. 

Personally a lot of those reviews look very suspect to me but maybe I am just not trusting enough. 

sandy700

Have a watch of this

Personal "air conditioners" aren't what they seem - YouTube

anon_ymous

sandy700 said:

Have a watch of this

Personal "air conditioners" aren't what they seem - YouTube

Yup. Already seen that. I've seen most of his stuff tbh