Evaporative cooling & humidity

Does evaporative cooling increase humidity? Depending on the type of evaporative cooling system that is used, indirect/direct evaporative or direct evaporative, the humidity in a building is less or more affected by a mildly higher humidity. How much the relative humidity within a space increases depends on the outside humidity level, the outside temperature, the desired temperature that is to be achieved, and the type of evaporative cooling system that is used.

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Evaporative cooling and humid climates

Humidity and indirect/direct evaporative cooling

As mentioned above, the level of increase in humidity heavily depends on the type of evaporative cooling system that is used. For instance, Oxycom's patented indirect/direct evaporative cooling technology ensures up to 70% less increase in humidity than other direct evaporative cooling systems - ensuring a comfortable indoor climate for the occupants.

Healthy humidity

It is however also important to mention that bringing in some moisture into the air has its benefits. For example, a humidity level between 40 and 60% reduces the spread of dust and viruses within a production facility or building. Furthermore, it brings a level of comfort as the air that is too dry can irritate the eyes and throat. Thus it is essential to have a climate control system in place that provides the air with enough humidity for employees to feel comfortable as well as to protect them from the unlimited spread of viruses.

Degree of infectivity in relation to indoor humidity.

Humidity levels in a building

A prevalent misconception about evaporative cooling and humidity is that it would create a subtropical climate within a production facility or building. Two-stage evaporative cooling is capable of reaching lower temperatures and by the law of nature, lower temperatures hold lower amounts of humidity. In fact, due to the lower temperature, two-stage evaporative coolers need only 30 to 50% of the air volume needed to cool a building by direct evaporative coolers. Two-stage evaporative cooling systems used for cooling production facilities always ventilate the building with fresh, filtered outdoor air while removing the polluted indoor air. The fresh cooled air absorbs the heat whereby the absolute humidity of the inside air is reduced to comfortable levels. Thereafter it is extracted through an exhaust. This way, the moisture in the air doesn't get the chance to build up in the building or production facility, creating a pleasant climate for its occupants.