UK portable evaporative air cooler faq

Waycool portable evaporative air coolers plug into a standard 13A UK socket and produce high volumes of cool filtered air. They have built in water tanks, for portable operation, but can also be connected permanently to a mains water supply for continuous unattended operation.

How many Waycool evaporative coolers do I need?

That depends what you are trying to achieve!

Do you need to cool an entire building, or just a specific area?, where people are working for example. Building owners often assume they need to cool the whole building, when in fact they only need to cool production lines or work stations.

One Waycool evaporative cooler produces enough cool air for an area of 2500 sq. ft (232 sq. m) and 625 sq. ft. (58 sq. m) depending how hot the area is.

To determine the minimum number of Waycool evaporative air coolers required, see what size evaporative cooler do I need, or try our on-line calculator.

Evaporative air coolers are designed to cool an area using very high volumes of air. It is very difficult to install too big a cooler. The general rule, is to:

Install as many evaporative air coolers as is practical

Where should evaporative coolers be be positioned?

Evaporative coolers work most efficiently when they have a constant supply of fresh air.

Where possible position them outdoors, in a cool shaded area, and use flexible ducting to deliver the cool air into the building.

If they must be positioned indoors, put them next to an open door or window.

Why must doors and windows be left open?

To allow stale hot air to escape, and to provide fresh air for the evaporation process. Without a constant supply of fresh air, the humidity in the building will increase, the cooler will become less efficient, and eventually the cooling process will stop altogether.

Allow 2sq. ft. of unrestricted openings (i.e. doors, windows etc.) per 1000CFM

Can evaporative coolers cause illnesses?

Evaporative coolers are beneficial to health. They filter the incoming air, trapping dust and pollen in the damp cooling pads, and produce a constant supply of cooled humidified air, which helps to prevent dry eyes and throats, and the build up of static electricity.

Evaporative coolers have also been shown to be beneficial to asthma sufferers.

They do not spread air borne infections such as legionnaires disease.

How often should Waycool evaporative air coolers be serviced?

The cooler should be cleaned periodically depending on how dusty the environment is.

Remove the cooling pads and spray with a hose, wash the inside of the cooler and reassemble. See page 15 of the user manual for full details.

If the cooler is kept clean the cooling pads should last for approximately 2 years.

How often should I change the water?

We recommend you completely drain your evaporative cooler (by removing the drain plug on the bottom of the cooler) once a week, and refill it with fresh water. This will help to prevent unpleasant odours.

Can I use the Waycool evaporative cooler without water?

Yes, in high or low vent mode only the fan runs, it is perfectly safe to operate your cooler in these modes.

Never operate the cooler in 'pump only', 'high cool' or 'low cool' unless it is filled with water. Operating your evaporative cooler in these modes without water will damage the water pump. Pumps damaged in this way are not covered by the warranty.

Where can Waycool evaporative coolers be used?

Waycool evaporative coolers are designed for use in well ventilated buildings or outdoors. They are suitable for use in many different types of buildings including factories, workshops, warehouses, packing sheds, etc.

They must not be used in small confined places, or where there is not a constant supply of fresh air.

Evaporative coolers are less expensive than air conditioners, but which is better?

Both have advantages and disadvantages. Evaporative cooling is cheaper, but needs a constant supply of fresh air to operate efficiently.

How does evaporative cooling work and how effective is it?

Evaporative cooling is a naturally occurring process, its effectiveness depends on the moisture content of the supply air.

What is the maximum recommended humidity?

60% RH (Relative Humidity) at the hottest time of day.

Can Waycool evaporative coolers be filled manually?

Yes, remove one of the grilles and cooling pads and pour water directly into the cooler.

What precautions should be taken before moving or storing an Waycool evaporative cooler?

Waycool portable evaporative coolers must be protected from frost. Water expansion due to freezing will cause serious damage. Damage caused by freezing is not covered by the warranty.

If a Waycool is to be moved or stored, first drain the sump using the drain plug on the base of the machine, and run the cooler on the high fan only setting until the pads are dry.

Guidance on storing Waycool portable evaporative air coolers for long periods.

Are evaporative air coolers really suitable for use in the UK

Evaporative cooling is the most rapidly expanding sector of the UK commercial and industrial cooling market. Evaporative air coolers are being installed in buildings which were considered to big or expensive to cool by other means.

Climate change in the United Kingdom means more and more evaporative coolers are being installed in UK factories, warehouses and workshops, to deliver efficient, low cost, environmentally friendly cooling.