Industrial Evaporative Cooling Frequently Asked Questions
Please click a question below about industrial evaporative cooling to view the answer. If you don't see your question here, please contact us and we'll be happy to help you.
How does the Procool factory cooling system work ?
Where is the cooler installed; doesn't it need a lot of ductwork ?
How much will it reduce the temperature ?
I’ve heard that evaporative coolers don’t work in humid climates like ours ?
It’s only hot for a few days a year; do I really need factory cooling?
If this system uses water, can't you catch Legionnaires' disease from a Procool evaporative cooler ?
Do the coolers clean the air ?
Will I get condensation in my building ?
I don’t want to condition the whole of my factory, how do you deal with that ?
I've never heard of this system. Are you sure it works?
How does the Procool factory cooling system work ?
We use a natural process known as evaporative cooling, in which hot dry fresh air is drawn over a wetted transfer pad. Heat is used to evaporate water, and that heat comes from the air, cooling it. If the fresh air is already cool enough, the cooling circuit is turned off, and we achieve free cooling.
Where is the cooler installed; doesn't it need a lot of ductwork ?
There are several options, the most common being on the roof with simple “drop ducts” to deliver the air where you need it, or internal units which can be positioned close to the workspace. If roof access is an issue, and internal units are not appropriate, there are a number of other ways we can design the system.
How much will it reduce the temperature ?
This is dependent on the ambient conditions but, in hot weather in the UK, there is typically an 8 to 10° drop in the temperature of the air through the evaporative cooler. Remember too that the cooler uses fresh air, not room air, so if it’s already cooler outside than in, you’ll get the benefit of that in addition to the cooling effect. We can undertake studies of the existing conditions if required, and from those can predict the effect of an installation.
I’ve heard that evaporative coolers don’t work in humid climates like ours ?
High humidity and high temperatures hardly ever coincide in the UK, despite our perception of “hot and sticky” summer days. When it’s hot it will be dry, and the cooler will work at maximum efficiency. When it’s not so hot it may be more humid, but the lower temperature means that we don’t need the full effect from the cooler.
If I have to close all the doors and windows so that the air conditioning will work, how do I continue to operate my factory ?
While it would be necessary to seal the building for conventional air conditioning to work, it is NOT required for evaporative coolers, which rely on and provide balanced ventilation.
What about those exceptionally hot days when I need the system the most; will the coolers be able to cope ?
Conventional air conditioners give less cooling the hotter it gets, and eventually fail altogether when the temperature is higher than expected. Evaporative coolers give more cooling the hotter it gets, and there is no upper limit – the coolers will not stop working just when you need them most.
It’s only hot for a few days a year; do I really need factory cooling?
In a typical year in the UK, the outside temperature will get above 20 deg C in 7 out of 12 months, and the inside temperature is likely to be 5 to 10 deg C higher than that. Given that studies show that productivity falls by 10% when working temperatures are over 24 deg C (falling more still as it gets even hotter), and that a worker is 23% more likely to make a mistake or have an accident at these temperatures, heat is a bigger problem for businesses in the UK than most people imagine.
If this system uses water, can't you catch Legionnaires' disease from a Procool industrial evaporative cooler ?
No, because the way the system works is fundamentally different to a cooling tower, and that means that the conditions required for legionella cannot exist. There are also control safeguards built into the system to prevent the unexpected. However, because it is a wet system, a risk assessment is required, and we will prepare one for you.
On a hot summer day, a single unit costs about 13p per hour to run, using typical utility costs. A conventional air conditioner of the same capacity would typically cost £1.20 per hour, more if doors have to be open, AND would not be able to provide free factory cooling in the Spring and Autumn.
Do the coolers clean the air ?
Yes, the pad will filter out larger particles such as dust or pollen, and additional filters can be added if required.
Will I get condensation in my building ?
No, provided the design is based on a balanced ventilation scheme.
I don’t want to condition the whole of my factory, how do you deal with that ?
If you don’t want to cool the whole factory because only specific areas suffer, we can design a system that provides spot cooling just where it’s needed. If on the other hand you want to cool the whole area, but in phases, we can accommodate that very easily as well, because unlike conventional air conditioning, evaporative coolers will give full benefit in a local area, which can be expanded over time.
I've never heard of this system. Are you sure it works?
There are an estimated 30 million industrial evaporative cooling installations worldwide, though it is relatively new to the UK. But there’s no need to take our word for it that it works, as we’ll happily arrange to install a demonstration unit so you can see for yourself.
Now is the time to plan for improved productivity in the summer.
"Worth every penny for the relief it has brought to an unbearably hot working environment." "Procool have been great to work with"
Basingstoke Head Teacher
Junior School"Thank you to you and your team for such a smooth installation"
Karen Taylor (Environmental Development Manager)
Hampshire Cosmetics"Before calling Procool we consistently had problems meeting the MHRA temperature regulations using our air conditioning system."
Pharmaceutical Distributor
Durbin PLC"We are very happy with the units provided, which are very effective"
Chris Timney
Riverside Bakery"Very pleased with the company"
John Laird
Gates Power Transmissions"Excellent! During the installation, they helped us keep our production schedules and helped us source the right heating system for our needs. The whole process was run very efficiently."
Tessa Still
Fife Engineering"We are very happy with the service provided."
Geoff Payton
Connors Seafoods