Evaporative Cooling 101

Evaporative cooling is a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly way to cool large or open-air spaces. Unlike traditional AC systems that require high amounts of electricity and synthetic refrigerants, evaporative coolers lower air temperature using evaporation, the natural process of water turning from a liquid to a gas.

Evaporative cooling is perfect for a range of spaces and use cases:

• Warehouse managers, construction site supervisors, and facilities teams creating safer work environments
• Restaurant owners cooling down their kitchens and guest spaces
• Home owners or renters making their spaces more comfortable, from living rooms to garages and patios
• Protecting athletes from heat stress
• Anyone looking for sustainable cooling alternatives

How do evaporative coolers work?

Evaporative coolers work by pulling hot, dry air through water-saturated evaporative media. As water evaporates within the media, it absorbs heat from the air, lowering its temperature. A fan then pushes this cooled air back into the environment.

This is the same principle as how people cool down through sweating—evaporation removes heat from the surrounding environment.

Do evaporative coolers spray water or mist?

No. While portable evaporative coolers use water, they do not produce any mist, fog, or spray water. Misters, atomizer fans, foggers, and vaporizers spray a shower of water into the air that collects on people, objects, equipment, and floors.

Evaporative air coolers prevent this issue by completing the evaporation process within the evaporative media contained in the cooler. This creates a safer, more comfortable environment for homes as well as commercial facilities, auto shops, manufacturing plants, event venues, restaurants, and more.

How does a Portacool evaporative cooler lower air temperature?

Evaporative coolers, like the Portacool APEX™ Series, use evaporative cooling to lower surrounding air temperatures by as much as 30°F in hot industrial environments and outdoor event spaces alike.

An evaporative cooler consists of several parts:

• Fan: Circulates air through the unit
• HydroTek™ Evaporative Media: Saturated with water to trigger evaporation
• Water reservoir: Holds water to feed the media
• Air filter (some models): Improves indoor air quality
• Water pump: Ensures even water distribution

Here’s how it all works together.

1. Hot air is pumped into the cooling unit.
2. Hot air passes through our HydroTek™ Evaporative Media, a unique filter saturated with water.
3. The water evaporates, using up heat and cooling the air.
4. A fan distributes this cooler air around your space.

 

Portacool’s advanced evaporative coolers harness the natural process of evaporation to reduce air temperature in places where traditional fans and air conditioning solutions fail to work.

Do evaporative coolers need a lot of water?

Evaporative cooling does require a steady water supply, but it’s remarkably efficient: one gallon of water can remove up to 8,000 BTUs of heat. The more water an evaporative cooler uses, the better it’s working, since it passes hot air through water to remove heat.

All Portacool evaporative coolers come with a built-in water reservoir (up to 65 gallons), and most models have hose connections for continuous feed. This gives you the ability to easily produce large quantities of cool air for an extended time. In addition, all Portacool products come equipped with low water shutoff sensors that cut power to the high-efficiency pumps, preventing damage and protecting your investment. This makes Portacool coolers ideal for high-demand industrial cooling applications.

It’s important to understand that while evaporative water removes heat from the air, your evaporative cooler doesn’t give off heat.

Where can I use evaporative cooling?

Evaporative cooling systems provide a refreshing and continuous supply of cool air. They don’t need ducts, expensive installations, refrigerants or chemicals to work. This makes them ideal for

• Warehouses and logistics facilities
• Outdoor patios
• Automotive shops
• Sports and athletic training facilities
• Restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues
• Animal care or agricultural buildings

This cooling method is particularly effective in hot, dry climates, where it can lower temperatures by as much as 30°F for as little as $1/ day, providing a comfortable environment while consuming far less energy than conventional cooling systems. In more humid climates, evaporative cooling can still achieve impressive results, lowering the temperature by 10-15°F.

Is evaporative cooling energy efficient?

Yes. Evaporative cooling is one of the most energy-efficient commercial cooling systems available for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Since it uses electricity, water, and a fan, it quickly cools the air and runs on as little as $1 a day in energy costs. Additionally, a high-efficiency water pump ensures consistent water flow, enhancing cooling effectiveness and extending the life of the media.

Is evaporative cooling safe?

Unlike air conditioning units, evaporative coolers don’t use any refrigerants or chemicals. They use the natural process of evaporation to cool your environment. And unlike misting systems – which can recirculate bacteria and viruses into the air — Portacool evaporative coolers use direct evaporation. This means all of the water is contained inside the unit, and only water vapor, not mist, exists through the fan.

Portacools also improve air quality by:

• Adding additional fresh air into your space (when used with adequate airflow from open doors/windows)
• Capturing many airborne particulates in the evaporative media
• Increasing humidity in dry climates to a safer range for people (40%-60% RH is ideal for living spaces)

This makes Portacool evap coolers a smart choice for enclosed workspaces and busy facilities.

Why are Portacool evaporative coolers so unique?

HydroTek™ evaporative media is the driving force behind our evaporative coolers’ superior cooling performance:

• Premium Materials: HydroTek media is engineered with quality high-grade, reinforced cellulose fibers to enhance airflow and boost efficiency, delivering unmatched cooling power.
• Long-Lasting and Self-Cleaning: Innovative edge-coat technology prevents algae buildup and guards against UV damage, ensuring reliable performance with minimal maintenance.
• Little to No Maintenance: Portacools are engineered to increase water flow, minimize debris and mineral accumulation, and reduce clogging.
• Cleaner, Cooler Air: HydroTek media maximizes evaporation to deliver cleaner, cooler air.

Is Portacool right for your business or home?

As the original portable evaporative cooler on the market, Portacool has led the industry from day one to deliver trusted, high-performance cooling solutions. Our 30-year legacy proves that when innovation meets nature’s most effective cooling process, the result is unmatched comfort, reliability, and performance in any environment.

If you manage a warehouse, manufacturing plant, auto shop, or job site, our APEX Series portable evaporative coolers deliver scalable cooling with the performance and ROI to match. From entry-level industrial cooling to high-volume operations, Portacool is your go-to industrial cooling solution.

The APEX series is also ideal for indoor and outdoor use in homes. Whether you’re keeping your patio cool while entertaining friends or keeping your family cool indoors during hot days, the APEX series portable evap coolers are great energy-efficient alternatives to air conditioning and fans.

Use our buying guide to find the right evaporative cooler for your needs.

Ready to beat the heat?

Find your nearest Portacool dealer to learn more about how evaporative cooling can keep your operations running cool, efficient, and safe.