There are two ways a spot cooler eliminates heat from an area; air cooled and water cooled. The difference between these two types of units lies in whether air or water flows over the evaporator coil, which is the part of the air conditioner that removes hot air from a building.
Air cooled spot coolers blow air over the evaporator coil, while water cooled units run water over the coil. How can you tell which type is best for your needs?
Water cooled spot coolers are most often used in high ambient heat locations and placed at the heat source. These units require a water source connection, which makes them less portable than their air cooled counterpart. In areas that exceed 100°F, water cooled units work more efficiently and provide colder air. These units are great to use inside areas that do not allow for ductwork.
Air cooled spot coolers are a more common solution for spot cooling. These units provide more options and flexibility for customers. Air cooled units can be installed quickly because they do not require a water source. Instead, they plug in to a wall outlet and are ducted through a ceiling tile or window to extract the hot air away.
Some applications to use spot-cooling include:
- Supplementing a building’s main air-conditioning system, balancing temperatures, and cooling hot spots
- Cooling older buildings lacking central air conditioning
- Spot cooling production processes, assembly lines, and warehouses
- Maintaining temperatures in server rooms and data centers
- Cooling outdoor environments, such as sporting events, and assisting firefighters
- Dehumidifying applications to preserve products and enhance comfort and productivity
- Emergency drying and dehumidifying following floods and hurricanes