Even though summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy the warm weather, the heat can be unbearable. You need innovations like the patio misting system to help cool things down.
This is a system designed to emit mists of pressurized water through a special nozzle. You can install it on your patio, gazebo, parks, lounges, and several other outdoor spaces.
We’ll get into detail about how to use the system, its working mechanism, the best way to install it, cost, among other important factors. Keep reading to learn more.
How does the patio misting system help you to cool down?
The same way your body sweats, and you cool off when the sweat evaporates, the patio misting system helps to activate this cooling feeling. How? By releasing water droplets into the hot environment, which then evaporates into the atmosphere causing a drop in temperature in that area. Depending on the effectiveness of your patio misting system, the temperature reduction can be as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Note: The humidity level impacts the performance of your outdoor misting system. High humidity inhibits the rate of mist evaporation. So, the cooling slows down. The ideal relative humidity levels should be between 40 to 80 percent.
Read Also: The best personal misters for cooling yourself down
The different types of patio misting systems
Patio misters are mainly grouped as per their water pressure mechanism. They include low-pressure, mid-pressure, and high-pressure outdoor misting systems.
- Low-pressure patio misting systems: These are the most affordable and easiest to use out of the three. You simply connect to the home’s main water supply and it’s good to go. Here you’ll be working with a water pressure of about 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi). As a result, the mist isn’t as fine as the other two systems. So, the cooling is slower, and you should expect higher residual moisture.
- Mid-pressure patio misting system: For these patio misters, you’ll need a water pump to help boost the water pressure to around 160 psi and 250 psi. The results are; a finer mist, highly effective and rapid cooling of the surrounding, and less residual moisture. They cost more than the low-pressure systems and have an even higher operating cost since the pump uses electricity.
- High-pressure patio misting system: These patio misters use large and powerful pumps to increase the water pressure to a range of between 750 psi and 1,500 psi. You can expect very fine mist and faster cooling from this system. However, these come at a much higher cost. Starting from the purchase of the system, the pumps, and you might require professional help to install. Not to mention the high electricity bill of running the pumps.
How much is a patio misting system?
The average pricing for a low-pressure patio misting system is between $30 and $100.
The mid-pressure system cost ranges from $200 t0 $1,000, while the high-pressure system will set you back between $1,500 and $3,500.
Installing the patio misting system
There are several steps to follow if you want to install the patio misting system properly. They include:
1. Taking measurements
You need to know the actual distance from and between the water source, the power source, and to the end of the setup is. Record the measurements and plan for everything to make your work easy when you start shopping for supplies.
From the tubing, clamps, nozzle heads, line connectors, to electrical wiring for the pump. Also, a drain valve can come in handy if you need to drain out the water in winter.
2. Hang the lines
You can start screwing the lines in place. They have special clips with rubber linings that slide into position once the screws are in. The lines must be at least 8 feet above the ground.
3. Join your pipes
Be sure to use the right compression fittings to avoid any leaks. Especially where the pipes bend to form 90-degree angles. You may need a pair of wrenches to tighten all the fittings securely.
4. Install the pump
First, ensure you get the right pump for your misting system. For instance, for a high-pressure patio mister, you’ll need a pump with an average of 1,000 psi.
If you’re uncertain get an electrician to help you out. They’ll also help you with the wiring and GFCI protection.
Place the pump on a flat surface and protected it from direct sunlight which could overheat the motor. You can then connect the pressure tubing to the misting lines.
Installation to the pump should be firm to avoid movement that results from the vibration of the pump.
5. Turn on the water and switch on the pump
Let the water run through the misting lines to clear air and debris. This also allows you to check for leaks on the tubing and misting lines. Let it flow for 30 seconds to one minute. Once it becomes clear, turn off the water and install the mist nozzles.
You can now start running the patio misting system.
6. Monitoring the patio mister system
To ensure the misting system remains in top shape, you must monitor it regularly. Some of the things to watch out for are:
- The tubing: It could wear out due to the pump vibrations. Look for a superior replacement.
- The filter: Clean or change it often (monthly) to ensure it blocks sediments from entering the tubing.
- The nozzles: Watch out for any irregular sprays. If there are any blockages flush the lines using water mixed with nozzle cleaner.
- The pump: Disconnect and store it properly when the cold season sets in. That’s after you’ve drained it completely. Annual checkups for wear and tear are a must.
For areas with hard water problems, look for water treatment options that you can adapt to your system.
Do patio misters use a lot of water?
The average water use for outdoor misters is between 600ml and 800ml every minute. Fortunately, there are systems that come with the expected water usage in the product description. The two options that you’ll come across are 51.1 LPH (Liters Per Hour) or 13.5 GPH (Gallons Per Hour).
The actual water consumption of your outdoor misting system depends on the following factors:
- Type of nozzle.
- The number of nozzles available.
- Frequency of usage.
- The water pressure.
These variations determine how much water the patio mister uses. For instance, an average nozzle will use between 0.5 gal and 1.5 gal of water hourly. Now, to get the total consumption, you’ll have to factor in each of the other variables.
In some cases, the consumption could be a lot while in others it’s minimal. You can read more about hourly water output from a mister.
Do misters keep flies away?
Yes, flies and other insects like mosquitoes, bees, among others, tend to avoid the mist. This helps to curb any disturbance to the people relaxing on the patio. Other notable benefits of the patio misting system include:
- Cleaning the air when the mist captures airborne allergens, dust, and other pollutants.
- Watering plants on the patio.
- It’s a cost-effective outdoor cooling system when compared to others like the swamp cooler.
- The low-pressure systems are energy-efficient since they don’t need electricity to run.
Do patio misters work?
As mentioned earlier, patio misting systems can reduce temperatures by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. That shows that they work and are highly effective.
Conclusion
The patio misting system is an innovative way of cooling the temperature outdoors during hot weather. Your only worry is to find the ideal system that falls under your budget, install it right, and maintain it properly.
From our breakdown above, we believe you’ve learned enough about patio misters to use and take care of them appropriately. Don’t allow the summer heat to make your life on the patio unbearable. Install an outdoor mister today and enjoy the cool temperatures.