A financial feasibility evaluation of using evaporative cooling with air-conditioning (in hybrid mode) in commercial buildings in India

Results of a preliminary analysis to study the financial feasibility of a hybrid mode operation of a direct evaporative cooler (DEC) with an air conditioning (AC) unit to reduce the annual expenditure on electricity usage (as against a standalone AC unit to provide almost similar level of comfort) are presented. Four different building applications located in four different cities of India have been considered in the study. The hybrid mode operation is found financially attractive for movie theater and waiting hall building applications for all the climatic conditions considered in the present study.

► Financial feasibility of using a Direct Evaporative Cooler in hybrid mode with an air conditioner studied. ► Four commercial building configurations (Low density office, high density office, waiting hall and movie theater) are considered. ► Four locations in India (Akola, Bangalore, Delhi and Indore) have been considered. ► Hybrid mode operation is found to be financially attractive for high cooling loads at hot and dry locations.