Evaporative Cooling vs Air Conditioning

Can air conditioning trigger asthma?

Which air conditioning is better for an asthmatic?
First a quick rundown on what asthma is and why air conditioning is being discussed.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs.

In asthmatics, the airways are sensitive to allergens and irritants in the environment, which can make it difficult to breathe freely. 

According to the National Asthma Council of Australia, 2 million Australians suffer from asthma.
People who have severe asthma do need be vigilant about the air quality they are breathing and environmental factors that can trigger an asthma attack.

The weather for some asthmatics can cause triggers for breathing difficulties which makes their lives difficult.
Finding a cooling air system that will suit them and does not irritate the lungs or cause more serious side effects is vital.
The key to understanding the differences between the two forms of cooling is to look at the features of each system.

Once you understand how they work, you will see how they differ and which system is more effective for cooling and the air quality in your home or workplace.
In asking which is better, air conditioning or evaporative cooling, we should first look at how they work.

Ducted Evaporative Cooling

Ducted Evaporative cooling involves passing hot, dry outside air through water-filled filter mats.
These mats also filter out dust and pollen. This causes the water in the hot air to evaporate, which lowers the temperature and increases the humidity. 

Melbourne’s summers are dry and hot, and evaporative cooling is perfect for Melbourne and Victoria.
It works best when a door or window is ajar, allowing cool air to constantly flow in through the vents and warm air to flow out through the windows.

Evaporative Coolers are up to 75% more efficient to run when compared to cooling your home using Ducted Refrigerated Air Conditioning. 

Ducted Air Conditioning 

The way a ducted refrigerated air conditioner works is to remove moisture from the air. This is done by drawing hot, moist air from the room and circulating it with dry, cold air. Air conditioners are more expensive to operate and use more energy. 

Still, their great advantage is working in virtually all climates, and of course, in winter, they can also heat with the reverse cycle option.

The disadvantages of this type of air conditioning compared to evaporative cooling include higher operating costs, higher energy consumption, regular cleaning and maintenance.

What About Air Quality? 

Which system provides an asthma-friendly home? Air conditioning systems can be harsh. Some asthmatics even have a problem with the air conditioning in their car.
So how can you stay cool in the hot summer months without irritating your uncomfortable asthma symptoms?
This is a common question that many asthmatics or parents of asthmatic children ask.
When comparing evaporative cooling and ducted air conditioning, you need to consider where you live.

Evaporative Coolers And Air Quality

Evaporative coolers may offer better air quality without considering where you live and the outside environment.
In addition, evaporative coolers do not dry out the air. Instead, they release moisture into the air, which means they don’t dry out your skin and eyes.

This means that you are breathing in the fresh air – BUT if you are sensitive to certain pollens in the air, having an open window will mean that those pollens may enter your home.
Another bonus about an evaporative sytem is there are no synthetic refrigerants like a refrigerated ducted system.
An evapaorative system could be an excellent choice both your family and the environment.

See the range of Evaporative coolers from Brivis – See the latest brochure here 

Air conditioners are more dying and can dry out your skin and eyes because they remove moisture from the air.
Air conditioners work best when the home is sealed.
This does mean that the same air is continuously being circulated. The air is not “fresh air.”

People who have asthma may find that evaporative coolers help them feel better. But some asthmatics avoid humidity, so this is where a refrigerated air conditioning system maybe better option as there is no humidity

Humidity Control

Before an air conditioner can efficiently cool your home, it must first eliminate the humidity in the air.
Both air conditioners and evaporative cooling systems work with this system, with the latter having the advantage. However, air conditioning systems dry out the air in the room, which for some can trigger asthma.

Allergen Control

Air conditioners and evaporative cooling systems not only cool your entire home by eliminating humidity and filtering the air in your home, but they also provide highly efficient filters that remove a wide range of irritants from the air you breathe. 

For effective allergy control, you must ensure that the air conditioners are cleaned and serviced on a regular basis and that filters are kept clean or replaced when they are needed. Read more here.

Both Can Help Combat Allergies. 

For people with asthma, prevention is an important part of managing the disease. In addition to taking medication, it is imperative to reduce exposure to triggers such as indoor allergens (dust, pollution and animal dander), outdoor allergens (pollen and mould) and chemical irritants.

Recent scientific research has shown that homes and other buildings can be more polluted than outdoor air, even in industrial cities. 

In addition, the lack of circulation of outdoor air indoors can lead to a buildup of pollutants that can pose a health risk, especially to people with respiratory diseases.
While most home heating and cooling systems do not mechanically bring fresh air, evaporative air conditioning systems do.

Fresh outdoor air is drawn in through water-saturated filter plates in the air conditioner and cools the atmosphere by evaporation, much like an ocean breeze provides cooling on a hot day.
This method also benefits from filtering dust and pollen from the air, providing cool and fresh and filtered air throughout the home.

Lets Discuss The Best Heating And Cooling For Your Home

Beyond Heating and Cooling experts can help you install the best air conditioning system for your family’s needs.
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