Latest ETL and Eurovent Certification Collaboration: Energy-Efficient Evaporative Air Coolers

Efficient and economical

There is a growing demand and interest in cooling technologies to deliver both performance and energy efficiency. Among the best solutions are evaporative air coolers, which use water evaporation to cool air, offering an energy-efficient alternative to refrigeration-based cooling systems. These coolers, available as both direct and indirect models, are featured on the ETL due to their energy-saving benefits and alignment with sustainability goals.  

See here available evaporative air coolers on the ETL. 

In recognition of this, the ETL and Eurovent Certification have worked together to align testing standards and simplify the certification process for manufacturers. This collaboration reduces costs by allowing test reports to be reused, and helps purchasers confidently select energy-efficient evaporative air coolers that deliver significant energy savings. 

How evaporative air coolers work 

Evaporative air coolers work by either passing air directly through a water-saturated medium (direct) or using a secondary air stream to indirectly cool the primary airflow via a heat exchanger (indirect). This method not only uses less power than traditional refrigeration-based cooling but also reduces the need for chemical refrigerants. This is important in industries with high energy demands like data centres, where cooling represents a large portion of energy consumption.  

There are two types of evaporative air coolers available on the ETL: 

• Direct – primary air supply is cooled by evaporation. This can lead to high humidity levels in the cooled air produced. Direct evaporative coolers can achieve energy and carbon savings of up to 80% compared to air conditioning. 
• Indirect – a secondary air supply is cooled via a heat exchanger from the initially cooled primary air supply. Indirect evaporative coolers can achieve energy and carbon savings in data centre applications of around 75% compared to a chilled water-cooling system with 100% recirculation and around 50% compared to a direct free cooling system. 

For more information on how these annual savings were calculated, click here. 

The role of Eurovent Certification 

Evaporative air coolers are listed within the ETL's HVAC technology category. To be featured, products must meet strict energy efficiency requirements, ensuring they are among the top 25% in the market in their class. These criteria emphasise energy performance, which manufacturers can meet through various testing routes, including in-house testing (self-tested and verified or cross-checked by an independent body), witnessed testing, independent testing, or representative testing. Certification bodies play a crucial role in supporting manufacturers with their certification programmes by ensuring that ETL products are tested, and values are calculated and reported according to the measurement standards in the criteria. 

A recent meeting between Eurovent Certification and the ETL explored shared objectives, focusing on energy-efficient HVAC solutions and encouraging further product listings on the ETL. By aligning their efforts, the aim is to facilitate easier access to energy-efficient products for manufacturers and end-users alike. 

Choosing products from the ETL means reducing operational costs and supporting both business goals and environmental responsibility. The collaboration between the ETL and Eurovent Certification strengthens the case for adopting certified energy-efficient evaporative air coolers, especially in high-demand sectors like data centres, production facilities, distribution centres and office buildings. 

The ETL and Eurovent Certification are committed to working together to identify examples where our criteria align, and to communicate those to the industry. This ongoing collaboration will continue to enhance the visibility and adoption of energy-efficient technologies, supporting the UK’s goal for Net-Zero.  

Advantages of the alignment 

For manufacturers, the alignment between the ETL and Eurovent Certification offers a significant advantage by reducing the need for duplicate testing. Many manufacturers already possess the necessary Eurovent certification, and these can be directly used for certain ETL applications, provided the products meet the stringent energy performance criteria.  

Refrigerated Display Cabinets (RDCs) on the ETL are a useful example of the advantages of alignment between the ETL and Eurovent Certification, offering both practical and financial benefits. Read more about RDCs and a useful case study here. 

This streamlined process saves both time and costs, making it faster and easier for manufacturers to secure ETL listing. An ETL listing enhances product visibility and appeal, especially for energy-conscious buyers seeking high-performance, sustainable HVAC solutions like evaporative air coolers. 

For purchasers, the ETL provides independent verification of a product’s energy performance. The ETL’s criteria allow purchasers to confidently choose from listed products, helping them to significantly reduce operational costs and negative environmental impact. By offering detailed, trusted product information, the ETL aids decision-making for both large enterprises and smaller businesses, ensuring that the selected products meet high energy efficiency standards and contribute to sustainable practices. 

Further reading 

If you would like to learn more, please visit the ETL website. 

If you’re a purchaser looking to find energy- efficient technology, browse our list here. 

If you’re a manufacturer looking to register your product on the ETL, click here. 

Contact us at info@etl.energysecurity.gov.uk to explore how the ETL can get you closer to a net-zero reality. 

For more information on the Eurovent Certified Performance programme for Evaporative Air Coolers please contact  info@eurovent-certification.com.