Frequently Asked Questions
Evaporative Air Conditioners
- Evaporative air coolers are excellent for health
- They supply 100% fresh, filtered air into your building that is not recirculated, improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of the space, supporting customer and staff well-being
- They remove unhealthy pollution from your indoor environment
- They provide basic moisture that the human body needs
- They remove static electricity; they can assist in reducing the effects of illnesses such as asthma.
Yes, evaporative coolers are the same as evaporative air conditioners. The words have the same meaning with regards to types of air conditioning. Evaporative air conditioners are also known as adiabatic coolers and in some regions are colloquially known as swamp coolers or desert coolers. Seeley International is world-leading in the evaporative cooling market, designing and manufacturing premium quality evaporative cooling solutions that are durable, guaranteed and ultra-efficient.
Depending on the technology you will be choosing, our local partner (or Seeley International) will elaborate the estimated count of coolers needed for your specific situation. We want to make sure your space is correctly sized with the right number of coolers, so do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
It is extremely important to properly manage water quality to extend the life of the pads and reduce maintenance. Seeley International evaporative air conditioners have a bleed feature that discharges a small amount of water to reduce the salt concentration in the tank reservoir. If fitted, the automatic Water Management System constantly checks water quality with a probe that sends a signal back to the electronic module, which then drains some water that has higher salt concentration and replaces it with fresh water.
A high inlet water temperature does not have a marked effect on the supply temperature of Seeley International’s evaporative air conditioners.
In an evaporative air conditioner (cooler) a pump circulates water from the reservoir on to a cooling pad, to fully saturate it. A fan draws air from outside the unit through the moistened evaporative cooler pad. As it passes through the evaporative cooler pads the air is cooled by evaporation.
Yes. Outdoor areas have no walls to contain the cool air. These spaces would be impossible to cool using refrigerated air conditioning because this relies on recirculating and reusing air from a sealed area. Evaporative air conditioners can easily supply a flow of fresh and cool air to open and semi open areas since the air is exhausted naturally.
Refrigerated air conditioners tend to deliver less cooling as ambient temperatures rise, and eventually will end up failing altogether in extreme temperatures. The way evaporative air conditioning technology works, it continues to cool as temperatures rise. Evaporative coolers performance also increases as temperatures rise – again, in complete contrast to refrigerated systems.
In most cases evaporative air coolers marginally increase humidity, keeping in mind that temperature has also dropped significantly. It is the combination of temperature, humidity and airflow that creates human comfort and evaporative air conditioners are used widely around the world because they can create comfortable conditions. For example, 80% humidity and 30°C is very uncomfortable, but 80% humidity and 16°C is very comfortable. Comfort is also improved by increasing air velocity in hot conditions and evaporative air conditioners create sufficient air movement to minimize the effects of humidity.
Often, in large industrial buildings, there are locations inside the plant where heat is concentrated for a variety of reasons. It might be a furnace operation, part of a painting process, concentration of people or a cluster of injection moulding machines. In all these cases, when you do not need to air condition the whole building, you only need that particular spot to be more comfortable. Spot cooling with an evaporative cooler can dramatically improve the conditions in a set location and the productivity of the plant; costing much less than refrigerated air conditioning. You can contact one of our Commercial sales engineers by clicking here for further information and advice on system design.
Air inside the building collects heat, moisture and impurities and must be exhausted. The evaporative air conditioner (cooler) provides 100% outside air which must be relieved from the building. If the building is sealed, the effectiveness of the cooler(s) will be reduced. Mechanical extraction or even just leaving some doors or windows open helps remove unhealthy air from the indoor environment by supplying 100% fresh, filtered air. For this reason, evaporative air conditioners (coolers) are much healthier than refrigerated air conditioning.
There are several options with ducted evaporative air conditioning, the most common being on the roof with simple “drop ducts” to deliver the air where you need it. Because evaporative cooling moves more air than refrigerated air conditioning, it’s usually easier to place cooling where you need it without extensive ductwork. You can contact one of our Commercial team by clicking here for further information and advice on system design.
Properly maintained evaporative air conditioners (coolers) will not transmit the bacteria because they do not produce aerosols. Evaporative air conditioners should not be confused with cooling towers or evaporative condensers, which involve different technology. Evaporative air conditioner water temperatures are much lower which prohibits the growth of legionella.
Secondly, in a high quality evaporative air conditioner (cooler), water is drained from the unit when it is not being used, so there is no standing water that could rise to ambient temperature. Above all, well designed evaporative air conditioners do not produce aerosols, meaning that even if bacteria were present in the cooler, there is still no mechanism that could transfer the bacteria to humans. Moreover, there are no recorded cases of this technology causing Legionnaires’ disease and research indicates transmission of the bacteria is not possible by the evaporative cooling method.
Yes. With the MagIQtouch controller you can control up to 60 coolers and set up with a 7-day program: program mode divides each day into four different time periods. You decide how you want your system to work. With the MagIQcool controller, you can decide how long you want the evaporative cooler to delay power on and off.
Evaporative air conditioning prices vary depending on the size of building, location and requirements. You need to speak with one of our sales engineers or local partner to get an accurate price for evaporative air conditioning. We can direct you to your nearest contractor: contact us by clicking here.
Yes. With no recirculated air (as from traditional refrigerated systems), evaporative cooling is the best solution for industrial plants, especially in production and packaging areas. Keeping doors or windows open (or using an exhaust fan), the fumes, germs, CO2 and odors are drawn outside while the cooler brings in 100% fresh air.
Yes, it is possible. The water drained from your evaporative air conditioner can be used for industrial or agricultural purposes, for example to fill the firefighting tank or for irrigation. Check with your local authority for waste water regulations in your area.
Seasonal maintenance services must be performed before and after the summer season. For evaporative coolers working for more than 12 hours per day all-year-around, it is necessary to follow the service intervals and instructions outlined in the Owner’s Manual. The frequency of cleaning depends on water quality used and operating conditions. For standard scheduled servicing and technical advice you can contact us by clicking here.
You can purchase spare parts for your evaporative cooling product by clicking here or you can contact us to direct you to your nearest contractor.
Indirect Evaporative Air Conditioners
Seeley International indirect evaporative air conditioners make use of a patented counter-flow heat exchanger that separates the evaporative air from the air that is supplied to the conditioned space. The end result is supply air that has had no contact with water and is cooled below the ambient wet bulb temperature. To learn more please visit the dedicated page.
No. The cooled supply air from the heat exchanger does not have any moisture added. Selected SupercoolTM models with added direct evaporative cooling stage are available if extra cooling is needed.
Yes. As Climate Wizard products don’t add moisture to the supply air, they can be installed in various applications to deliver energy savings, such as pre-cooling and supplementary cooling with refrigerated air conditioning systems. More information can be found under Combined Solutions.
Yes. Climate Wizard comes in various product configurations to provide a total climate control solution. It is best that you speak with one of our sales engineers to get the technical support needed to optimize the design of your system requirements. You can contact one of our Sales Engineers by clicking here for further information.
No. The heat exchanger uses water (R-718), however no water comes in contact with supply air into the space, meaning no moisture is added to the fresh, cooled air as it enters the building.
They supply 100% fresh, filtered air into your building that is not recirculated, improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of the space, supporting customer and staff well-being by expelling CO2, fumes, germs and odors. Climate Wizard is often specified by HVAC consulting engineers to meet fresh air requirements of Commercial spaces.
Seeley International has developed an online sizing tool for selecting the right amount of Climate Wizard units for cooling the nominated space. Alternatively you can contact one of our Sales Engineers by clicking here.
Conventional refrigerated air conditioners tend to deliver less cooling as ambient temperatures rise, and eventually will end up failing altogether in extreme temperatures. Climate Wizard performance improves as the dry bulb temperature increases. No matter how hot it gets outside, Climate Wizard uses the same amount of power and still delivers 100% fresh, cool air inside.
Conventional refrigerated air conditioners tend to deliver less cooling as ambient temperatures rise, and eventually will end up failing altogether in extreme temperatures. Climate Wizard performance improves as the dry bulb temperature increases. No matter how hot it gets outside, Climate Wizard uses the same amount of power and still delivers 100% fresh, cool air inside.
When we speak about evaporative cooling “the drier the better” is very true. However, in commercial/industrial environments you will be using your evaporative cooler during the hottest part of the day, when the humidity is typically lower. No matter how hot it gets outside, Evaporative coolers use the same amount of power and still deliver 100% fresh outside air. Evaporative coolers performance also increases as temperatures rise – again, in complete contrast to refrigerated systems.
Yes. With no recirculated air (as from traditional refrigerated systems), evaporative cooling is the best solution for industrial plants, especially in production and packaging areas. Keeping doors or windows open (or using an exhaust fan), the fumes, germs, CO2 and odours are drawn outside while the cooler brings in 100% fresh air.
Yes, it is possible. The water drained from your evaporative air conditioner can be used for industrial or agricultural purposes, for example to fill the firefighting tank or for irrigation. Check with your local authority for waste water regulations in your area.
It is extremely important to properly manage water quality to extend life and reduce maintenance. Climate Wizard has a custom designed water management system that minimises water consumption and maximises cleanliness using a factory installed electro-chlorinator whilst continually monitoring and controlling water salinity in the reservoir. A unique water distribution system minimises water consumption and maximises cooling efficiency, draining water from the system during prolonged idle periods. An onboard alarm detects low water levels.
Properly maintained indirect evaporative air conditioners will not transmit the bacteria because they do not produce aerosols. Indirect evaporative air conditioners should not be confused with cooling towers or evaporative condensers, which involve different technology. Indirect evaporative air conditioner water temperatures are much lower which prohibits the growth of legionella.
Secondly, in a high quality indirect evaporative air conditioner, water is drained from the unit when it is not being used, so there is no standing water that could rise to ambient temperature. Above all, well designed indirect evaporative air conditioners do not produce aerosol, meaning that even if bacteria were present in the cooler, there is still no mechanism that could transfer the bacteria to humans. Moreover, there are no recorded cases of this technology causing Legionnaires’ disease and research indicates transmission of the bacteria is not possible by the indirect evaporative cooling method.
A high supply water temperature does not have a marked effect on the supply temperature of Climate Wizard air conditioners.
Indirect Evaporative air conditioning prices vary depending on the size of building, location, configuration and requirements. You need to speak with one of our sales engineers or local partner to get an accurate price for evaporative air conditioning. You can find your local distributor by clicking here.
You can purchase spare parts for your evaporative cooling product by clicking here or you can contact us to direct you to your nearest contractor.
Yes. Outdoor areas have no walls to contain the cool air. These spaces would be impossible to cool using refrigerated air conditioning because this relies on recirculating and reusing air from a sealed area. Evaporative air conditioners can easily supply a flow of fresh and cool air to open and semi open areas since the air is exhausted naturally.
Evaporative Cooling
How do evaporative coolers work and are they effective in humid climates?
Evaporative cooling units only use water to cool the air. Depending on the technology that we consider, water directly or indirectly cools the air. For direct evaporative coolers, hot outside air is drawn to a series of water-soaked cooling pads: the water evaporates and the heat in the air is absorbed, which lowers the temperature of the air. To learn how Direct Evaporative Cooling works click here. Even if for evaporative coolers “the drier the better”, this does not mean that they are not effective in humid climates like the UK climate.
In commercial/industrial environments you will be using your evaporative cooler during the hottest part of the day, when the humidity is typically lower. With direct evaporative cooling systems humidity slightly increases, importantly extract fans need to be installed or doors and windows to be kept open. This way, stale humid, hot indoor air can be pushed out and replaced with 100% fresh outside air. If humidity is still an issue, it is better to specify Seeley International patented indirect evaporative cooling system, Climate Wizard technology.
With Seeley International indirect evaporative cooling units, water does not come in contact with the air stream, therefore no humidity is added to the airstream, reaching lower temperatures than direct evaporative cooling units. To learn how Hyper-efficient Indirect Evaporative coolers can work in the United Kingdom, click here.
What are the benefits of evaporative cooling compared to traditional air conditioning?
Evaporative cooling units only use water to cool the air (no chemical refrigerants are involved in the process). They use far less electricity compared to refrigerated systems: that all adds up to very responsible environmental and energy saving solutions.
No matter how hot it gets outside, evaporative coolers use the same amount of power and still deliver 100% fresh, cool air inside. This is in direct contrast to refrigerated systems, which require increasing amounts of power as outside temperatures rise. Evaporative cooler cost-saving capabilities actually increase, when the ambient heat is at its peak. At the same time, their performance also increases as temperatures rise – again, in complete contrast to refrigerated systems.
Plus, evaporative cooling units use 100% outside air, whereas traditional air conditioning systems keep recirculating the same stale air, to achieve cooling efficiency, thus negatively impacting on Indoor Air Quality.
Moreover, when installing a traditional air conditioning unit, capital and running costs could be prohibitive for end users. Installing evaporative cooling units can be far cheaper, plus running costs can be up to 80% less than standard A/C performing the same duty.
How do I choose the right size evaporative cooler for my space?
Depending on the technology you will be choosing, our local partner (or Seeley International) will calculate the estimated number of coolers needed for your specific application and air conditioning requirements. We want to make sure your space is correctly sized with the right number of coolers, so do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Can evaporative cooling be used in commercial and industrial settings?
Evaporative cooling is one of the most efficient options for cooling large areas, especially industrial and commercial spaces. Air conditioning is not a viable option, because in warehouses or industrial plants, the capital and running costs are prohibitive.
Most industries with high heat loads, such as printing, ceramics, glass, rubber or electronics, have no cooling system installed, and this impacts on the workers’ morale, and productivity, as well as on their health and well-being. In all these examples, Evaporative Cooling can be the right solution.
Moreover, many industrial spaces have some areas that are uncomfortable to work in, because of the heat produced by machines or ovens, for example. No need to cool the entire space: evaporative cooling units could blanket these hot spots with a flow of fresh cooled air.
How much water does an evaporative cooler use and is it more eco-friendly than air conditioning?
Evaporative Cooling units by Seeley International do not use much water. A Breezair TBS 580 evaporative cooler consumes around 18 liters per hour: but when considering water consumption, we should also refer to the water used to produce electricity (7.6 l/kWh[1]). An evaporative cooler could consume up to 30% less water than a standard A/C system installed in a similar application, if we also take into consideration the electricity needed to run the system itself.
[1] “Consumptive Water Use for U.S. Power Production, P. Torcellini, N. Long, and R. Judkoff, December 2003”
Industrial Systems
How do industrial evaporative cooling systems work and what are their benefits for businesses?
Industrial evaporative cooling systems only use water to cool the air. Depending on the technology that we consider, water directly or indirectly cools the air. With direct evaporative coolers, hot outside air is drawn through a series of water-soaked cooling pads: the water evaporates and the heat in the air is absorbed, which lowers the temperature of the air. To learn how Direct Evaporative Cooling works click here.
With Seeley International indirect evaporative cooling units, water does not come in contact with the air stream, therefore no humidity is added to the airstream, reaching lower temperatures than direct evaporative cooling units. To learn how Hyper-efficient Indirect Evaporative coolers work, click here.
Businesses can take advantage of 100% fresh outside air, with improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): this positively impacts on workers’ morale, health and productivity. For many industrial businesses, air conditioning is not a viable option, because in warehouses or industrial plants, the capital and running costs are prohibitive.
Evaporative Cooling could be the right solution because businesses can save up to 84% in running costs (in a location like Birmingham, UK[1]); plus, maintenance and installation are very simple to perform.
[1] Based on Seeley International internal calculation.
What are the differences between industrial evaporative cooling systems and traditional air conditioning systems?
Evaporative cooling units only use water to cool the air (no chemical refrigerants are involved in the process). They use far less electricity compared to refrigerated systems: that all adds up to very responsible environmental and energy saving solutions.
No matter how hot it gets outside, evaporative coolers use the same amount of power and still deliver 100% continuous fresh, cool air inside. This is in direct contrast to refrigerated systems, which require increasing amounts of power as outside temperatures rise. Evaporative cooler cost-saving capabilities actually increase, when the ambient heat is at its peak. At the same time, their performance also increases as temperatures rise – again, in complete contrast to refrigerated systems.
Plus, evaporative cooling units use 100% outside air, whereas traditional air conditioning systems keep recirculating the same stale air, to achieve cooling efficiency, thus negatively impacting on Indoor Air Quality
What maintenance is required for industrial evaporative cooling systems and how often is it necessary?
In the commercial/industrial sector, hours of operation and environmental conditions often mean more regular servicing is necessary for the most efficient operation of your air conditioning unit(s). Always refer to your Owner’s Manual for scheduled service intervals. You can always contact us if you have more questions.
How do I choose the right size industrial evaporative cooling system for my business?
Depending on the technology you will be choosing, our local partner (or Seeley International) will calculate the estimated number of coolers needed for your specific situation. For example, if you choose a spot cooling configuration, you might require less units than if you wish to cool the entire space. It also depends on the internal heat load you have in your industry.
We want to make sure your space is correctly sized with the right number of coolers, so do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Is an industrial evaporative cooling system cost-effective for businesses?
Absolutely yes. Running costs of Breezair TBS 580 evaporative coolers are up to 84% less than a standard air conditioning system (performing the same duty) in a location in central England. Some of our customers had to stop production because the heat was too high or machines tripping. Adopting an Industrial Evaporative Cooling system can improve productivity for all these situations.
Industrial Applications
What types of industrial applications are suitable for evaporative cooling systems?
Evaporative cooling is perfect for all kinds of industrial HVAC applications: this includes industrial manufacturing plants and commercial warehouses. When cooling large areas, it is more cost-effective than traditional A/C, whose capital and running costs would be prohibitive. Industrial applications often have hot spots that are uncomfortable to work in and those spaces are not just hotter than the rest of the building, but hotter than external ambient conditions too. You can use evaporative coolers to blanket these hot spots and therefore installing less units than the number of units needed to cool the entire space.
How do industrial evaporative cooling systems help to improve employee comfort and productivity in the workplace?
Evaporative cooling systems continuously bring in 100% fresh outside air, thus improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) inside industrial buildings. This improves employee comfort, health and wellbeing and supports productivity compared to not having any cooling system installed. Moreover, high heat load could lead to machines tripping. We have seen some customers stop production due to severe heat inside the factory, thus leading to a loss in profit.
What are the potential energy savings associated with using an industrial evaporative cooling system?
An industrial evaporative cooling system by Seeley International can use up to 80% less energy, compared to a standard A/C system. We have estimated that in a location like central England (Birmingham), CO2 emissions could be 87% less, compared to a standard refrigerated system performing the same duty. A Breezair TBS 580 evaporative cooler consumes around 18 liters of water per hour: but when considering water consumption, we should also refer to the water used to produce electricity (7.6 l/kWh[1]). An evaporative cooler can consume up to 30% less water than a standard A/C system installed in a similar application, if we also take into consideration the electricity needed to run the system itself.
[1] “Consumptive Water Use for U.S. Power Production, P. Torcellini, N. Long, and R. Judkoff, December 2003”
How does the performance of an industrial evaporative cooling system vary depending on the climate and location of a business?
Evaporative coolers work at their best in dry climates. But it is not true that they cannot work in commonly considered humid climates. In fact, the moment cooling is most needed in industrial spaces is in the central part of the day, when not only humidity is at its lowest, but temperature is at its highest. No matter how hot it gets outside, evaporative coolers use the same amount of power and still deliver 100% continuous fresh, cool air inside. This is in direct contrast to refrigerated systems, which require increasing amounts of power as outside temperatures rise. Evaporative cooler cost-saving capabilities actually increase, when the ambient heat is at its peak. At the same time, their performance also increases as temperatures rise – again, in complete contrast to refrigerated systems.
What is the lifespan of an industrial evaporative cooling system and what maintenance is required to keep it operating effectively?
Breezair evaporative cooling systems are extensively installed and working perfectly in locations across the UK for more than 30 years (with regular service and maintenance). In the commercial/industrial sector, hours of operation and environmental conditions often mean more regular servicing is necessary for the most efficient operation of your air conditioning unit(s). Always refer to your Owner’s Manual for scheduled service intervals. You can always contact us if you have more questions.
Indoor Air Quality
How does evaporative cooling affect indoor air quality?
Evaporative cooling systems can dramatically improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), as they introduce 100% continuous fresh outside air, never recirculating indoor stale air. This has become crucial after the Covid-19 pandemic, not only for industrial spaces, but also for offices, warehouses, schools, and any other workspace. Moreover, evaporative coolers can dilute indoor air, inhibiting the spread of germs and viruses.
Breezair evaporative coolers, when sized to the space, replace the stale air in your industrial plant every few minutes. Creating a positive air pressure that pushes out stale air and pollutants through open windows and doors (or extract system), while the system is cooling your building.
What are the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality in buildings?
The first risk to be considered, associated with poor indoor air quality, is the spread of viruses and bacteria. In industrial plants, we could also consider the risk of breathing the air coming from production, chemical processes, gases, solvents and much more. If we also consider the risks connected to high temperatures, such as heat stroke, asthma and other health conditions, we understand the importance of installing evaporative cooling in your industrial plant or commercial space.
How can evaporative cooling systems be used to improve indoor air quality?
Evaporative cooling can be installed in industrial spaces, factories, warehouses, commercial offices, schools, shops, and many more applications to improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). They can increase the ventilation rates and push out the stale indoor air, that can have implications for employee health and wellbeing.
What are the best practices for maintaining indoor air quality in buildings with evaporative cooling systems?
You need to ensure the evaporative cooling system is correctly sized for your space and also ensure that the extract fans (or building openings) counterbalance the air intake from the evaporative cooling system.
You can contact us if you have more questions.
How can I test the indoor air quality in my industrial plant or office that uses an evaporative cooling system and what steps can I take to improve it?
There are many air quality monitors available in the market: you can measure the concentration of CO2 , Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), dust and pollen particles and so forth to understand what the current situation in your building is. Breezair evaporative coolers can work in conjunction with such monitoring systems, to ensure Indoor Air Quality is kept at a certain level in the building. You can contact our technical department to learn more.
Controllers
A range of control options are available for commercial BMS systems with multiple units and applications, including compatibility with BACnet and Modbus gateways.
Servicing
You can contact us by clicking here.
In the Commercial sector, hours of operation and environmental conditions often mean more regular servicing is necessary for the most efficient operation of your air conditioning unit(s). We recommend cleaning the unit and checking operation every 3 months which doesn’t require specialised technical skills. Always refer to your Owner’s Manual for scheduled service intervals. For standard scheduled servicing and technical advice you can contact us by clicking here.
Seasonal maintenance services must be performed before and after the summer season. For evaporative coolers working for more than 12 hours per day all-year-around, it is necessary to follow the service intervals and instructions outlined in the Owner’s Manual. The frequency of cleaning depends on water quality used and operating conditions. For standard scheduled servicing and technical advice you can contact us by clicking here.
Parts
You can contact your local dealer to get parts for your evaporative or indirect evaporative air conditioner (cooler). If you are unsure of your nearest dealer, you can contact us directly.