Mist System Sales Appointment

The majority of residential mist systems are used for backyard patios, using 15-30 nozzles for cooling. The number and size of the nozzles will determine the capacity of the high-pressure pump needed for the design. Most pumps used for residential systems work with 110 voltage, which is common on residential homes, and draw 10-15 amps on startup. This is important to understand, as most residential wire and breakers are sized at 15amps, and if the amp draw from the pump and any other equipment on the same circuit exceeds 15amps, the breaker will trip. In these situations, and when a system is larger,a dedicated electrical line and circuit breaker may be required to handle the amperage load.

The closer the equipment is to the cooling area, the less materials and labor required, reducing the cost of the system. This would require a water source and the appropriate power supply be proximal to the location. With any piece of equipment that has a motor, the mist pump does generate sound. For this reason, you don’t always want the equipment too close to the area, as the sound may create an unpleasant experience. We recommend to have the equipment be at least 15′-20′ away from the seating area, and preferably behind a wall or the corner of the house. This design may increase the price initially, but will create a much more enjoyable experience long-term!

1) Layout – Just like curtains block light, the layout should have mist on all open sides to prevent hot air from entering the area. With breezes typically following the sun, the direction of the wind changes from morning to afternoon. In addition to the changing wind, other structures like buildings and walls
will affect how the mist floats through the air. All of these influences need to be considered in the design.

2) Height – We must also consider how high the mist line will be above the ground, as different distances will require varying sizes of nozzles to output the proper amount of mist.

3) Depth – Perimeter misting layouts work very well on shallow patios and sitting areas. Because mist works the best when a breeze is present, the farther the mist must travel, the less effective it is on deeper patios. These designs may require interior misting options, or a misting fan to provide the desired cooling.

A professional mist system has three main components, a high-pressure pump, tubing, and nozzles. To create the largest temperature drops, without getting everything wet, the system must output the smallest possible water droplet. This requires a pump capable of generating at least 800 pounds per square inch of pressure. At this pressure and above, the evaporative cooling process is working at it’s best. It is important to note, generating higher pressure (say 1500psi) doesn’t change the size of the water droplet, but does cause more wear and tear on the equipment.

Just as important as the pump, the type of tubing used is critical to the longevity of the system. When Aqua Science first began installing mist, we offered two types of line, copper and stainless steel. Over the next 4 years, and countless repair calls to fix leaks in copper lines, we stopped offering it as an option. Copper works well in low pressure applications, like city water to your home, but loses it’s structural integrity when put under higher pressure. The majority of our systems use 3/8″ 316L stainless steel tubing, which has a lifetime warranty. To match the application, we offer a variety of colors which are powder coated for durability.

Just like your car needs regular service to operate properly, a mist system also requires care. A seasonal startup includes changing the oil and filters, inspecting seals and connections, flushing lines and replacing clogged nozzles. These tasks are critical for peak performance and longevity of the system. After the season is over, and temperatures start dropping, the winterizing shutdown is important to protect the system from potential freezing. The electrical and water supplies are disconnected, pump is completely filled with oil, filters are removed and all water is purged from the housing and lines. Annual maintenance expenses run between $350 – $450 depending on the size and complexity of the system. Join our Mist Club, save money and receive additional benefits for your system!