{"id":14082,"date":"2022-03-24T16:24:27","date_gmt":"2022-03-24T14:24:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/advice\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-cooler-and-an-air-conditioner\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T12:33:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T10:33:47","slug":"differences-entre-rafraichisseur-climatiseur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/our-tips\/differences-entre-rafraichisseur-climatiseur\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between a cooler and an air conditioner?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Air conditioners or <a href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/produits\/rafraichisseurs-air\/\">industrial air coolers<\/a>? Despite their common cooling function, they differ on <strong>ecological and economic grounds<\/strong>. An air conditioner uses a toxic refrigerant; an air cooler, water! An air conditioner operates in a closed room; an air cooler, in a ventilated space! Yet, an air cooler consumes less energy than an air conditioner. Hence the lower cooling cost of an air cooler compared to an air conditioner! Compare <strong>air conditioners and air coolers<\/strong> in a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coolers vs. air conditioners: comparing air conditioning functions<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Rafraichisseur d&#039;air - Gamme IC - OberA\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NG-Ssy2oM70?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Rafraichisseur-dair-par-evaporation.jpg\" alt=\"evaporative air cooler\" class=\"wp-image-13253\" style=\"width:250px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Rafraichisseur-dair-par-evaporation.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Rafraichisseur-dair-par-evaporation-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Rafraichisseur-dair-par-evaporation-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Rafraichisseur-dair-par-evaporation-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>The evaporative energy of water produces <strong>cooling by an air cooler<\/strong>. The heat extracted from the air generates the evaporative energy. The device&#8217;s fan pushes air over the water-impregnated humidifier. The humidifier facilitates water-heat contact, stimulating evaporation and thus cooling. The fan also directs the discharge of humid air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An <strong>air conditioner<\/strong> includes a cooling circuit. This circuit contains a refrigerant that transports heat from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit of the device (split system). The internal unit of the air conditioner extracts heat from the air in a room, reinjecting it cooled for air conditioning. The unit&#8217;s fan blows heat over the circuit, leading to: the <strong>heating and evaporation of the refrigerant<\/strong>, and the transfer of heat to the external unit of the device. In this unit, a fan forces the evacuation of heat into the environment, lowering the temperature of the refrigerant, which condenses and returns to the air conditioner&#8217;s internal unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>evaporative cooling function<\/strong> of the air cooler requires continuous evacuation of ambient air, which is essential for cooling efficiency. Thus, an <a href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/our-tips\/choisir-rafraichisseur-d-air-industriel-reguler-temperature\/\">air cooler can cool a terrace or a room<\/a> indiscriminately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The air conditioner&#8217;s cooling function prohibits the evacuation of air from a room. Opening the room would compromise the device&#8217;s efficiency. Cooling a terrace with an air conditioner would be an energy absurdity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A cooler consumes 5 times less energy than an air conditioner<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Faible-consommation-energetique-des-ecoclim.jpg\" alt=\"low energy consumption of ecoclim\" class=\"wp-image-13731\" style=\"width:300px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Faible-consommation-energetique-des-ecoclim.jpg 600w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Faible-consommation-energetique-des-ecoclim-300x250.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>The <strong>evaporative energy of water<\/strong> generates most of the cooling energy of an adiabatic air cooler. Electrical energy powers the cooler mainly for one mechanical part: the fan. The pump, which transports water from the reservoir to the humidifier, requires little electricity. Hence the high energy efficiency of an air cooler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Electricity produces the <strong>cooling energy of the air conditioner<\/strong>. Every part of the device that transfers heat uses electricity: fans, compressor, etc. This air conditioning system involves more than one component in each unit. Therefore, the energy demand of air conditioners is 5 times that of air coolers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Intense heat boosts the energy efficiency of a cooler, reduces that of an air conditioner<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>In ordinary summer temperatures, the energy efficiency of coolers exceeds that of air conditioners.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During extreme heatwaves, the <strong>efficiency of the air cooler intensifies<\/strong>. The air then contains a heat reserve that accelerates evaporation and produces the device&#8217;s cooling energy. The generated evaporative energy increases faster than the electricity supplied to the cooler, depending on the fan speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During a heatwave, the energy efficiency of the <strong>air conditioner decreases<\/strong>. As the temperature rises, each part of the air conditioner absorbs more electricity without proportionally increasing the cooling effect. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A cooler is suitable for very large premises, an air conditioner for controlled atmospheres.<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/rafraichissement-de-grands-locaux.jpg\" alt=\"cooling large premises\" class=\"wp-image-13734\" style=\"width:300px;height:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/rafraichissement-de-grands-locaux.jpg 600w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/rafraichissement-de-grands-locaux-300x250.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>An air cooler <a href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/transport-and-warehousing-logistics\/rafraichisseur-secteur-logistique\/\">lowers the temperature of a large, ventilated, non-insulated space<\/a>. With these parameters, during a heatwave, <strong>mobile or fixed air coolers<\/strong> reduce the temperature to a level unattainable by air conditioners.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ventilation breaks the energy efficiency of an air conditioner. The device requires an isolated, closed room for effective air conditioning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The natural cooling function of air coolers provides a temperature accurate to the degree. <strong>Air coolers perform well<\/strong> for most cooling needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Air conditioners ensure a fixed temperature; their cooling function is artificial. If temperature invariability necessitates the purchase of an air conditioning unit, an air conditioner will be required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A cooler is easier to install than an air conditioner<\/h2>\n\n<p>The <strong>installation of an internal unit<\/strong> and an external unit through which a chemical circulates complicates the installation of air conditioners.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Monobloc, air coolers are easily installed on rooftops. A mobile air cooler is even easier to install! Fill the water tank, plug in the device.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"447\" height=\"531\" data-id=\"29321\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6be05381-5e36-49ab-a7c5-933cf98160f9-3.png\" alt=\"6be05381 5e36 49ab a7c5 933cf98160f9 3\" class=\"wp-image-29321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6be05381-5e36-49ab-a7c5-933cf98160f9-3.png 447w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/6be05381-5e36-49ab-a7c5-933cf98160f9-3-253x300.png 253w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 447px) 100vw, 447px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">IC range<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A cooler takes less time to maintain than an air conditioner<\/h2>\n\n<p><strong>Cooler maintenance<\/strong> includes cleaning:  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Periodic: air filter, tank  <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual: humidifier, fan.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Air conditioner maintenance<\/strong> involves :  <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>regular cleaning: filters on each unit, external fan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>annual inspection of cooling system components by a professional certified to handle refrigerant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A cooler is better for your health than an air conditioner<\/h2>\n\n<p>The <strong>evaporation of water from the air cooler<\/strong> increases the humidity of a room by 5%. This is a natural humidity variation for humans. <\/p>\n\n<p>An air conditioner cools a room by jointly evacuating heat and humidity. Below 40% humidity, the room becomes unhealthy; dehydration, headaches appear&#8230;<\/p>\n\n<p>The evaporation of water by the cooler propagates a temperature in the room that is balanced with the external heat.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Air conditioners set an artificial temperature degree<\/strong>. An excessive difference with the outside will cause thermal shock.<\/p>\n\n<p>An air cooler constantly renews the atmosphere of the room. The device regenerates air quality through continuous evacuation of pathogens.<\/p>\n\n<p>An air conditioner continuously recycles the air in the room. The device promotes respiratory ailments if filter maintenance is superficial.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Air coolers are quieter devices<\/strong> than air conditioners. The sound level of an air cooler is 66dB, that of an air conditioner is 76dB. A 10dB amplification gives the sensation of a sound twice as loud.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1984\" height=\"897\" src=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Optimiser-un-rafraichisseur-air-adiabatique-1.jpg\" alt=\"optimize an adiabatic air cooler 1\" class=\"wp-image-6006\" style=\"width:713px;height:323px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Optimiser-un-rafraichisseur-air-adiabatique-1.jpg 1984w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Optimiser-un-rafraichisseur-air-adiabatique-1-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Optimiser-un-rafraichisseur-air-adiabatique-1-1024x463.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Optimiser-un-rafraichisseur-air-adiabatique-1-768x347.jpg 768w, https:\/\/obera.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Optimiser-un-rafraichisseur-air-adiabatique-1-1536x694.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1984px) 100vw, 1984px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A cooler has less impact on the environment than an air conditioner<\/h2>\n\n<p>All energy used impacts the planet. An <strong>air cooler consumes less than an air conditioner<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>energy consumption of the cooler for the fan and pump.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>air conditioner energy consumption from compressor, fans, etc.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>An air cooler releases fresh air into the environment. The device reduces heat around the building. An air conditioner expels hot air, contributing to the heat island effect (heating of the building&#8217;s environment).<\/p>\n\n<p>An <strong>air cooler uses water<\/strong> as a product to cool a room. An air conditioner uses a chemical refrigerant that contributes to global warming. The device inevitably diffuses it: no cooling circuit is 100% sealed.<\/p>\n\n<p>An air cooler consumes more water than an air conditioner. Through evaporation, the cooler transforms water into cooling humidity. The expelled humidity rejoins the natural water cycle. Air conditioners extract humidity from the air.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Coolers are more cost-effective<\/h2>\n\n<p>For an equivalent air-conditioning objective, the <strong>purchase price of an air conditioner <\/strong>is higher than that of a cooler, and so is the cost of installation.<\/p>\n\n<p>A cooler requires less energy to operate, and less time and skill to maintain, resulting in annual costs ten times lower than those of an air conditioner.<\/p>\n\n<p>To discover the different models of OBERA evaporative coolers, visit our industrial air coolers page.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-03627597 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/contact-us\/\">Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are several differences between an air conditioner and an industrial cooler. An air conditioner uses refrigerant gas and consumes 80% more electricity than a cooler. Operating an air cooler is less expensive than operating an air conditioner. Discover the many differences between an air conditioner and an air cooler in 3 minutes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":85023,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"How do I choose between an air conditioner and a cooler?","_seopress_titles_desc":"The main difference between an air conditioner and a cooler is technical. The cooler does not use refrigerant but water.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[309],"tags":[18],"class_list":["post-14082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-our-tips","tag-entete-small","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","no-featured-image-padding","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14082"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":140850,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14082\/revisions\/140850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}