How to choose an industrial cooler: area, airflow and type

To lower the temperature in a warehouse or a closed room you need a portable air conditioner with the hot air hose vented to the outside. The evaporative cooler cools less but uses little power and also works in open spaces; the fan does not lower the temperature, it moves air over the workstations. In the collection the maximum areas range from 80 to 520 m² and the airflow from 420 to 2,500 m³/h.

Types

• Portable air conditioner: genuinely cools the air and must have a hose that carries the hot air outside, plus a condensate drain. The sizes 9000 and 12000 appear in the model names.
• Air cooling system: larger industrial units, for warehouses and technical rooms, like the Dantherm AC 15000, the AC-M11, the AC-R6000 or the AC-R11000. For more compact models, look at the AC-M5 Mki and the AC-M6.
• Evaporative cooler: cools by evaporating water. It is filled with clean water; the tanks in the collection range from 48 to 300 litres.
• Professional fan: moves the air. There are mains-powered and 18 V cordless models.
• Winter cover: an accessory to protect the unit when you are not using it.

How to choose for the job

Features to look at

• Maximum area (m²): from 80 to 520 m². Work out the surface area to be cooled and leave a margin: it is an indicative value, which varies with insulation, height and the heat produced in the room.
• Airflow (m³/h): from 420 to 2,500 m³/h. The higher it is, the more air is moved. For fans it is the main feature.
• Tank capacity (L): from 48 to 300 litres for the evaporative models. The bigger it is, the less often it needs filling.
• Power (W): from a few watts for fans to about 2,000 W for air conditioners. It determines the socket and the line needed.
• Weight: from 2 kg for fans to tens of kg for the bigger machines; some systems weigh over 100 kg and must be moved with suitable equipment.
• Operating temperature: the stated ranges go up to +60 °C for cooling. Some product sheets also give the range for heating.
• Power input: from 150 W to over 1,500 W. Check that the line can cope.

Before choosing, think about the room: if it is closed and hot because of machines and the roof, you need a machine that genuinely cools; if the problem is still air at the workstations, it is often enough to move it with one or two fans. Also check the socket available, because the larger machines draw much more current than fans, and plan a place for the hot air hose to exit.

Common mistakes

• Using a portable air conditioner without venting the hose: the hot air stays in the room and cancels the effect.
• Mistaking a fan for a cooler: it moves the air but does not cool it.
• Using an evaporative cooler in a room that is already humid: the water evaporates poorly and the atmosphere becomes heavy.
• Forgetting the condensate: the drain must be connected or emptied, otherwise the machine stops.
• Not cleaning filters and grilles: output drops and the machine overheats.

Frequently asked questions

Evaporative cooler or air conditioner: which do I need?

The air conditioner cools closed rooms; the evaporative cooler is cheaper and suited to spaces with air exchange. If the room is closed and you want a precise temperature, choose the air conditioner.

How much space does a machine cool?

It depends on the model: in the collection the stated maximum area ranges from 80 to 520 m². Bear in mind that insulation and the heat produced by machines reduce the real value.

What water do you use in the evaporative cooler?

Clean water, in the tank, to be changed regularly.

Is a cordless fan enough for a construction site?

For moving air at a workstation, yes, and it is handy where there is no mains power. It does not lower the temperature, and battery life depends on the battery.

Where do I plug it in?

Into protected sockets suited to the power of the machine.

You will find all the machines in the Industrial coolers collection: to size the machine for your room, request a quote or ask the AMES technicians for advice.