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On average in Australia, installing an evaporative cooling system costs between $1,800 and $5,0500, depending on system size, ducting needs, and state-specific factors.
Evaporative cooling systems, also known as evaporative coolers, are part of the world of cooling technology, and they are cheaper and more eco-friendly options for traditional air conditioning. In temperate zones, evaporative coolers are the best solution for summer comfort.
During the warmer months, it offers an efficient solution to keep the home and family cool by drawing hot air through water-soaked pads and cooling the air through evaporation.
This cooling system is perfectly suited to temperate climates with low humidity. The evaporative cooling system installation costs between $600 to $5000.
If you are planning to install an evaporative cooler, it’s essential to understand the associated costs. Read this to learn everything you need to know about the costs to budget more effectively and choose a cooling solution that fits your needs and finances.
Before diving into installation costs, let’s break down the prices for evaporative cooling units themselves:
Table-Mounted Portable Cooler: $50-$150, ideal for direct personal cooling.
Mains-Powered Portable Cooler: $300+, suitable for cooling small rooms.
Ducted Evaporative Cooler: $2,300 - $5,000, varying by size and capacity, with popular brands including Braemar, BreezeAir, and Brevis.
The prices above only include the unit costs and do not include ducting and installation. These are affordable when compared to ducted air conditioning systems.
The installation cost of an evaporative cooling system is less as it is easy to install. This is because it takes fewer labour hours. The costs of labour in installing the evaporative cooling system are:
The main unit is placed at the central location of your roof. Then the vents are sent into the rooms through the roof space for cooling. If you have existing ducting, the installer will replace the unit.
We find a difference of $100-$500 in the average evaporative cooler installation cost in different states. The costs can vary depending on the size, complexity, and specific local market conditions.
| State/Territory | Average Installation Cost |
| New South Wales | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| Victoria | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| Queensland | $1,800 - $4,200 |
| South Australia | $2,000 - $4,200 |
| Western Australia | $2,200 - $4,500 |
| Tasmania | $2,200 - $4,500 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $2,100 - $4,400 |
| Northern Territory | $2,500 - $5,000 |
You can get multiple quotes from local installers for a more accurate estimate.
The running cost of an evaporative cooling system can also vary from system to system. On average, the running cost of an evaporative cooling system during summer days is $0.20 to $30 per hour.
The total cost per day is around $2.40. You spend $300-$500 on repair and replacement annually. The cleaning and maintenance costs, ranging between $200-$400, are also additional running costs.
Several factors contribute to the overall cost of installing evaporative coolers:
Type of Evaporative Cooler: The installation cost can vary depending on the cooler you are installing, such as a portable unit, a window-mounted cooler, or a whole-house system. Portable units are generally the cheapest to install, while whole-house systems are more expensive.
Size of Home and Capacity: Usually, larger units are designed for bigger homes or spaces, and their installation service comes at a higher price.
Number of Vents: The number of vents to be installed for your cooling system will significantly affect the installation costs. More vents mean more materials, labour, and higher costs as well.
Installation Location: If the place where you want to install the cooler is hard to reach or needs additional ductwork or electrical connections, it can increase labour costs.
One of the reasons is that when compared to reverse-cycle air conditioning installation, evaporative cooling is more affordable to install, which makes it an attractive option for homeowners, especially in dry regions of Australia. Numerous benefits make evaporative air conditioning popular among Australians.
The installation cost of an evaporative cooler in Australia typically ranges from $1,800 to $5,000, depending on the state, size, and complexity. For instance, in New South Wales and Victoria, the cost ranges between $2,000 and $4,500, while in the Northern Territory, it may go up to $5,000 due to logistical challenges.
Routine maintenance, which includes cleaning the filters, checking the water levels, and ensuring the unit is debris-free, typically costs between $100 and $200 per service.
Evaporative coolers are most effective in dry, arid climates, making them ideal for many regions in Australia. However, their efficiency decreases in high humidity conditions because the cooling effect relies on the evaporation of water.
Evaporative coolers are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioners, using up to 75% less electricity. This efficiency is due to the natural process of water evaporation used to cool the air, which requires less energy than the compressors in refrigerative air conditioners.
You can go for an evaporative cooler system for its affordability and environmental safety. While Air Conditioning Services and Air Conditioning Repair can often be expensive, opting for an evaporative cooling system is a smart, budget-friendly choice for maintaining comfort in your home.
Ideal for dry climates, they ensure a constant supply of cool, fresh air, enhancing both your family's comfort and overall indoor air quality without the high costs of traditional air conditioning.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.
The cost depends on the size of the cooler needed, whether it’s a standalone or ducted system, the complexity of installing ducting and vents, and the location within Australia. Some areas with challenging access or logistics push prices toward the top of the range.
On average, installing a ducted evaporative cooling system nationwide ranges from $1,800 to $5,000, with homes in New South Wales and Victoria typically seeing costs between $2,000 and $4,500, while remote regions like the Northern Territory can reach up to $5,000.
Replacing an existing unit with ducting in place generally costs around $2,500 to $7,000, with the majority of homeowners paying approximately $4,500 for a new unit plus installation.
Evaporative cooler systems are considerably cheaper, often around half the cost of ducted refrigerated air conditioning. A typical evaporative system might cost $3,000–$5,000 installed, whereas refrigerated systems may start from $6,000–$12,000 for a whole-house setup.
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