In which climates are evaporative coolers most effective?

Evaporative coolers are most effective in drier climates due to the way they function. These cooling systems rely on the principle of evaporation to lower air temperature. In dry conditions, the air has a lower moisture content, which allows for a greater evaporation rate. As moisture is added to the air from the water in the cooler, the temperature drops effectively, making the environment more comfortable.

In climates that are wet and humid, the air is already saturated with moisture, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of evaporative coolers. The lack of a significant moisture gradient limits the evaporation process, thereby providing minimal cooling benefit. Similarly, in cold and snowy climates, the low temperatures and potential for freezing make the use of evaporative coolers impractical and ineffective. Tropical climates, characterized by high humidity and warm temperatures, also do not provide the ideal conditions for evaporative cooling to work efficiently, as the high moisture content in the air hampers the evaporation process that these coolers depend on. Therefore, drier climates offer the optimal conditions for evaporative coolers, maximizing their cooling potential.