Is Evaporative Cooling a Good Choice for the Central West?

Evaporative cooling is one of the most energy-efficient cooling technologies available — and the Central West of NSW is one of the best places in Australia to use it.

How It Works Evaporative coolers draw in warm outside air, pass it through water-soaked pads, and circulate the cooled air through your home. The cooling effect relies on evaporation, which works best when the air is hot and dry.

Why the Central West Is Ideal Towns like Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Blayney, and Oberon experience hot, low-humidity summers — exactly the conditions where evaporative cooling performs at its best. Unlike the coast or mountains, the Central West rarely sees the sticky, humid days that reduce evaporative efficiency.

Pros: • Low running costs (fraction of a reverse-cycle AC) • Fresh air circulation — windows stay open for a natural breeze • Environmentally friendly with lower energy consumption • Great for large homes and open-plan living

Cons: • Requires annual pad replacement and cleaning • Not suitable for cooling a single room in isolation

A Changing Climate Traditionally, the Central West rarely experienced humid days — making evaporative cooling an easy choice. However, weather patterns have been shifting, with more humid and unpredictable summers becoming common. As a result, ducted reverse-cycle and split system air conditioners are now becoming increasingly popular in the region, offering reliable cooling regardless of humidity. Many Central West homeowners are choosing reverse-cycle systems for their year-round versatility — cooling in summer and heating in winter.

Not sure which system suits your situation? Betar Air can assess your home and give you an honest recommendation. We install and service both evaporative and refrigerative systems across Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Blayney, Oberon and surrounds.