The Whats, Whys, and Must-Knows
Whether enjoying a restaurant patio during the summer months, or at that friend’s house who has “everything”, chances are you’ve seen (and felt) the difference that a high quality misting system can make. Many residents throughout the southwest know the struggle of maintaining their ideal lifestyle during the hottest parts of the year, which, for many of us, tends to be nearly half of the year. Both restaurant and home-owners understand the value of their investment, and have likely felt the frustration of not being able to enjoy much of that investment all year-round. If the real estate agent who was helping you find your dream home told you that the living room was off limits for half of the year, would you be satisfied investing in that home? The answer is likely not, so we at Element Mist pose a similar question: why have a beautiful outside space if it’s off-limits for an entire season? Just like a conventional air conditioning unit, the goal of any high pressure misting system should be to create an environment that is suitable for enjoyment any day, any time. What’s more, at Element Mist we not only create that space, but make sure that it stays fully functional whenever you’re ready to enjoy – no wet tables, no slippery floors, no clogged nozzles, and no hassle!
Unfortunately, many existing systems are in a state of disrepair – these too are something you might have experienced first-hand… maybe more so than a system which is running like it did when it was first installed. Whether it was a completely soaked restaurant patio, or nozzles which have been clogged beyond their ability to be cleaned, the answer is likely one thing – improperly maintained water treatment at the pumps. The quality of water in many of the regions where high pressure misting is warranted is typically very bad. For example, here in Arizona, where Element Mist is from, the TDS (total dissolved solids) in our tap water range in the area from 700-800ppm (parts per million). The EPA standard for “healthy” water is anywhere from 50-150ppm. At Element Mist we make sure that the water being fed to the nozzles is treated property, and maintained annually so all of the equipment can operate at its full capacity. In a later blog we will highlight the different aspects of a misting system, like those installed and maintained by Element Mist, but let us quickly outline what makes a system “work” from a high level.
High quality misting systems, like those installed by Element Mist, utilize small-apatured nozzles and high pressure to achieve a fine mist, which, evaporating rapidly, cools the surrounding air. Element Mists’ high-pressure systems utilize extremely durable and highly calibrated Cat Pumps to build pressure to 1,000 psi, compared to the relatively low (45-80 psi) pressure fed by the city to the standard residential or commercial buildings water pipes. This extra pressure equates to more power, and subsequently, the ability to attomize the mist into an extremely fine droplet size (measured in microns). The finer the droplet size of the mist, the more effective the evaporative cooling will be. As a result, this finer mist can not only evaporate quicker, but will also keep the surrounding surfaces, windows, and walkways dry. Those “systems” which can be purchased online or in some big box stores generally do not include any sort of pump, and rely solely on the city water pressure to create what is essentially a very wet aspiration – not nearly fine enough to actually create a true evaporative cooling effect. Further, most store bought systems come with little to no filtration, include low-quality plastic parts, and fall apart after only a few months in the heat. A well designed system can effectively cool the air by around 25 degrees or more, and can be enjoyed without getting you and your surroundings wet.
All in all, high pressure misting systems have many advantages, including cooling your outdoor space, minimizing waste water, mitigating smells from the yard or surrounding area, repelling insects from entering your patio area, keeping turf and other surfaces cooler to protect your pets and children, reducing dust particles in the vicinity of the misted area, and more. Our systems can be found and applied in large industrial settings for dust and smell mitigation, agricultural applications to ensure the highest yield growth, commercial applications to keep your customers comfortable on your patio while you enjoy the benefits of the added year-round seating, and of course in a residential setting where our customers can finally enjoy and utilize their outdoor spaces when they choose – no matter the season. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to receive your free quote for a new high pressure misting system.