A sleek unit that doesn't take up much space, does a good job of cooling the air and is reasonably quiet.
A sleek unit that doesn't take up much space, does a good job of cooling the air and is reasonably quiet.
The Evapolar evaCHILL is a personal ‘cool-me-down’ device powered through a USB cable that you can connect to your computer or smart device. You can also use a USB to AC adapter and power it from a standard electrical wall receptacle.
It’s a simple device that consists of a fan located at the back of the unit, a reservoir that holds 800 ml of water, and a water-moistened cartridge. The fan draws in warm air that passes through the cartridge picking up moisture and is vented out the front of the unit as cool air. There are LED lights on either side of the unit that you can use for ambient lighting or as night lights. The frosted sides make it easy to see how much water is left in the reservoir.
When there is water in the reservoir the evaCHILL humidifier the air. If there is no water in the reservoir you can use it as fan. In either mode the internal replaceable cartridge acts as an air cleaner.
The cartridge is made from basalt, an igneous rock formed from lava. It’s hypoallergenic, odour-free, biodegradable and has a huge evaporative surface. Depending on how much you use the evaCHILL you could be replacing the cartridge every 3 or 4 months.
There is a single button atop the unit that controls fan speed and lighting. You simply press the button to cycle through the four fan speed settings or turn the LED lights on or off. The 1st and 2nd speed settings are reasonably quiet – I typically run the unit in 2nd speed. I find the 4th setting too annoying to use.
The evaCHILL is best when used up-close and personal. The company claims it can cool an area of around 30 square feet in the direction of air flow – an area of about 4′ by 8′. I’ve had it sitting on my office desk for well over a month, and can vouch that at such close proximity you can really feel its cooling effect. Move a few feet away from the desk and the effect is diminished, but you can still feel the air move. In the evenings I place it on a side table close to the sofa while I read or watch the telly. A movable vent on the front enables you to direct the cool air where you need it.
The evaCHILL is obviously not a replacement for a conventional portable humidifier, but it does a commendable job as a personal air cooler. It’s a sleek looking unit that doesn’t take up much space, does a good job of cooling the air and is reasonably quiet.
Carl Duguay - [email protected]
Carl is a Victoria-based furniture maker and the web editor at Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement.
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