How to select air coolers for the perfect outdoor Diwali parties

Diwali might be the festival of lights, but it can also be a hot and sweaty festival in a tropical country like ours. Diyas, fireworks, and large crowds dressed in traditional attire doesn’t help either. One of the most effective means of keeping people cool outdoors is by employing large, outdoor air coolers.

Air coolers do an excellent job of keeping temperatures in check in large venues and even outdoors, but you will need to take some factors into account before buying or renting the best coolers in 2024.

1. Cooling capacity

This is by far the most important factor. To cool an area, you need to be able to pump in a large volume of cool air to both absorb the heat and push away the hot air. The volume of air an air cooler can move is measured by a value called CFM or cubic feet per minute. In a closed space you measure the volume of the space (area x height), and then divide by two. This value is the total CFM required to cool a space. 

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Outdoor areas tend to require a much higher CFM but there isn’t an easy formula to calculate this. Outdoors, especially in large spaces, simply assume that areas directly in front of the coolers will be cool. Thus, position as many coolers as you can to cover most of the area. Once you have your CFM number, you’ll be able to zero in on the number and power of the air coolers you’ll need to keep people cool.

2. Power requirements

The next factor to consider is power requirements. Air coolers for large spaces and outdoor use are massive and quite power hungry. The venue you’ve selected should be in a position to safely deliver power to the required number of coolers.

3. Tank capacity

Next, look at water tank capacity and the refill mechanism. Coolers work by charging the air with water vapour and then blowing said air into a hot room. The water is usually quite cool and absorbs the surrounding heat. This water vapour is of course supplied by a large water tank, a feature present in every type of air cooler. The amount of water consumed per hour will depend on factors like humidity and ambient temperature. 

As a rule of thumb, get the cooler with the largest water tank available. A large tank will need fewer refills and thus less downtime. You might also want to look into coolers that have an option for a continuous water feed. Just bear in mind that the pumps and plumbing to continuously feed these coolers will need to be available at the venue.

4. Noise levels

Another factor is noise levels. Noisy coolers will kill the ambience during, say, meal times, but may be alright when there’s loud music and dancing. Check the manufacturer’s rating for loudness and choose your cooler accordingly. Do note that quieter coolers tend to be more expensive for the same cooling capacity.

5. Mobility

Lastly, look into mobility. If you want flexibility with the cooler placement, look for coolers that are on wheels or are easy to tow. Fixed venues can make do with massive, relatively immobile coolers.

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Keep your Diwali parties fun and refreshingly cool with the right air cooler setup. If you’re not sure how much cooling you’ll need or about handling logistics for cooling, it would be best to consult an expert. In addition, large and popular venues tend to have in-house experts and equipment that can make your job much easier.