Evaporative Air Conditioning Perth
Evaporative air conditioning cools your whole home with fresh, naturally chilled outside air, and it does it for a fraction of the running cost of a refrigerated system. In Perth's dry summer heat it is one of the most comfortable and affordable ways to cool a house. Advanced Air WA installs, replaces and services the Seeley range, Breezair, Braemar and Coolair, across the Perth metro area.
How Evaporative Cooling Works
An evaporative cooler sits on the roof and draws hot outside air through pads that are kept wet by a small pump. As the air passes through, the water evaporates and pulls heat out of the air, exactly the way a sea breeze feels cooler on wet skin. A fan pushes that cooled, filtered air through ducts to vents in each room.
Because it is cooling with water and a single fan, not a compressor and refrigerant, an evaporative system uses only a small fraction of the electricity a refrigerated unit needs. The air it delivers is fresh rather than recirculated, so you run it with a few windows or doors open and the stale, hot air is pushed out of the house.
Why Evaporative Suits Perth
Evaporative cooling works best when the air is hot and dry, which describes most Perth summer days:
- Cheap to run. A typical ducted evaporative system draws about as much power as a few light globes plus the fan, so running costs sit far below refrigerated ducted air conditioning. Running it all day on a 40 degree day is affordable.
- Fresh air, not recycled air. Windows stay open, cooking smells and stuffiness go out, and the air coming in is filtered and moistened. Many people find it easier on dry skin and eyes than refrigerated air.
- Whole home coverage. One rooftop unit and a set of ceiling vents cool every room, including the ones that split systems never reach.
- Lower upfront cost. A ducted evaporative system usually costs well under half the price of a ducted refrigerated system covering the same home.
- Kind to solar homes. The low draw means a rooftop solar system covers it comfortably through the middle of the day.
The honest limits: evaporative cooling does not heat, and on the handful of humid February evenings each year it will feel less effective than a refrigerated system. If year round heating and cooling from one unit matters more to you, our ducted air conditioning and split systems pages cover the alternatives.
The Seeley Range: Breezair, Braemar and Coolair
Advanced Air WA installs evaporative coolers made by Seeley International, the Australian manufacturer behind the three best known names in the market. All three are built here for Australian conditions, and each sits at a different point on the price and feature scale:
- Breezair. The premium line. Ultra quiet centrifugal fan, Hushpower motor, Chillcel cooling pads and automatic water management that drains the tank when the system is idle. The pick for larger homes and for anyone who wants the quietest, most efficient system available.
- Braemar. The mid range line, with a strong following among Perth builders. Robust Permatuf cabinets, automatic winter seal to close off the ducts when the system is not in use, and a choice of touch screen controllers.
- Coolair. The value line. Straightforward, reliable whole home cooling with a variable speed motor, at the most accessible price point in the range.
We will size the unit to your home and recommend the line that fits your budget and how you use the house, then install it with the ducting, vents and controller to match.
Install, Replace or Service
- New installations. Rooftop unit, drop and ducting, ceiling vents in every room and a wall controller, with the roof penetration sealed and flashed properly so it never leaks. Most homes are done in a day.
- Replacements. If you have an older evaporative unit that is tired, noisy or leaking, we can replace it like for like, or upgrade to a quieter, more efficient model and reuse the existing ducting where it is sound. See our replacements page.
- Servicing. Evaporative systems are simple, but the pads, pump and water system need a check before each summer and a clean out at the end of it. Our maintenance service covers pad inspection or replacement, tank clean, pump and float check, winter seal and controller test.
Evaporative or Refrigerated?
Both cool a home well in Perth. The right choice comes down to a few questions:
- Do you want heating too? Refrigerated reverse cycle systems heat and cool. Evaporative is cooling only, so homes that rely on it usually pair it with another form of heating.
- How do you feel about open windows? Evaporative needs airflow out of the house, which also means fresh air in. Refrigerated systems run sealed up.
- What matters more, upfront or running cost? Evaporative wins on both, but refrigerated gives you precise temperature control regardless of the weather outside.
Not sure? Call us. We install both, so we have no reason to push you one way or the other.
Installed and Backed Locally
Advanced Air WA designs and installs evaporative air conditioning across the Perth metro area from our Spearwood base. Licensed for electrical work (EW 193940), we back every install with a 5 year workmanship warranty on top of Seeley's manufacturer warranty, and if anything needs attention we will contact you within 24 hours and address it within 72.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does evaporative air conditioning cost to run?
A ducted evaporative system typically costs a small fraction of a refrigerated ducted system to run, because it only powers a fan and a small water pump rather than a compressor. It also uses some water on hot days, which is a minor cost compared with the electricity saved.
Does evaporative air conditioning work in Perth's humidity?
Yes, for the vast majority of the summer. Perth's heat is dry, which is ideal for evaporative cooling. On the few humid evenings each year, usually in February, the cooling effect is reduced. Keeping more windows open helps on those nights.
Do I need to leave windows open?
Yes. Evaporative cooling works by moving fresh air through the house, so you leave a few windows or doors slightly open on the far side of the home from the vents. Security window locks that allow a small opening are a common and inexpensive addition.
Which is better, Breezair, Braemar or Coolair?
All three are made by Seeley International in Australia. Breezair is the quietest and most efficient, Braemar sits in the middle with features like the automatic winter seal, and Coolair is the value option. We will recommend the one that matches your home size and budget.
Can I replace my old evaporative cooler with a new one?
Usually, yes. If your ducting and vents are in good condition we can fit a new Seeley unit to the existing system, often in a day. If the ducting has deteriorated we will tell you before we start and quote the replacement.
Next Steps
Fresh, natural cooling for the whole house. Call Advanced Air WA on 08 6186 5664 or get a quick quote online and we will size and quote an evaporative system for your home.
See also: Types Of Air Con, New Installations