Feasibility of direct-indirect evaporative cooling for residences, based on studies with a desert cooler

Abstract Results are presented from previous research on direct evaporative coolers for residential use in arid regions of Israel. These results emphasize both the economic superiority of a desert cooler over the air-conditioner, and the limited amount of comfort that it is capable of providing. As consequence, a feasibility study is presented, concerning possible utilization of a direct-indirect evaporative cooler in residences. It is shown that such a system can provide a significantly higher level of thermal comfort. Furthermore, it can also provide cooling relief in more humid regions. The thermo-economic model developed for the desert cooler is used to estimate the value of such a system as an alternative to the air-conditioner.