Evaporative cooling is an entirely natural method of cooling, using only air and water - no artificial refrigerants. Hot air is drawn into the cooler and passes through water-moistened pads. Some of the water evaporates, absorbing the heat as it does so, and cools the air. A fan then blows this beautifully cooled air throughout the room and forces hot air out through open windows and doors. Because evaporative cooling is natural and the units don’t require an enclosed space to work, they are an ideal solution for cooling open areas such as undercover patios and workshops.



For evaporative coolers to work, they need three critical elements: the filter media (pads), the fan system and the water distribution system. Convair has cleverly combined these components in each model to maximise the cooling effect that each model can deliver. It is this formula that sets Convair coolers apart from all of the rest. Some other evaporative coolers provide no cooling at all – they just move air around, like a fan.
Here’s what you need to look for when purchasing a portable evaporative cooler:
| Filter Media (pads) |
Fan System | Water Distribution System | |
|
What to look for |
Air must pass evenly through a moistened pad → Look for a design that provides a consistently thick pad for the air to pass through. |
Lots of air means lots of cooling. → Look for a big fan that provides even distribution of air through the filter media (pad). |
The water distribution system must be capable of completely saturating the filter media (pads). → Look for a system that doesn't leave any dry or open sections of the pad, air will pass through but will not be cooled. |
| Convair Magicool | Convair uses Chillcel® or Aspen cooling pads. |
Convair has an advanced fan that is designed to deliver maximum airflow with minimum noise. This type of fan forces air to pass through the saturated filter pad in far greater volume than others can. |
Convair uses a patented water distribution system that ensures the filter media stays totally saturated. This unique channel design resists clogging and delivers a steady, even water distribution at all times. |
| Products from other manufacturers | Some units use a very ineffective “towel” instead of a purpose-built pad. A towel system delivers up to 20 times less heat exchange than Convair Chillcel® because air can bypass the filter media, so is not cooled. |
A small tangential fan will not force air through the dense filter media that is needed. Without air passing through a thick moistened filter medium, the air will not be cooled. |
A water distribution system that uses small holes does not work well because the small holes become blocked over time. This means that filter pads do not stay saturated and the air will not be cooled. |