Patio Misting (Outdoor Cooling Systems)

High-pressure misting systems provide an effective and energy-efficient way to cool residential outdoor spaces, making patios, decks, and pool areas more comfortable during hot weather. By forcing water through specialized nozzles at high pressure, these systems create an ultra-fine mist that evaporates quickly, lowering ambient temperatures by up to 30°F without leaving surfaces damp. This makes them a perfect alternative to traditional cooling methods, using significantly less energy than air conditioning while creating a refreshing outdoor environment for relaxing, entertaining, or dining.

In addition to cooling, high-pressure misting systems improve air quality by reducing dust, allergens, and odors, making outdoor spaces more enjoyable for those with allergies or sensitivities. They can also help maintain humidity levels in gardens, protecting plants from extreme heat and preventing soil from drying out too quickly. For homeowners with pets, misting systems offer a safe and effective way to keep animals cool in the summer. With their ability to enhance comfort, air quality, and even plant health, high-pressure misting systems are a valuable addition to any home looking for an eco-friendly and efficient cooling solution.

Mist is tiny droplets of water that are so light they’re suspended in the air. The particles are light enough that they stay floating in the air and do not immediately fall to the ground. It’s easier to see through the mist than fog, which makes it convenient for outdoor spaces where you’ll be lounging and enjoying the conversation. Misting systems are ideal for seating areas, patios, outdoor kitchens, and more!

Mounting high-pressure misting nozzles on the ground offers an innovative and effective way to cool residential outdoor spaces while enhancing both comfort and aesthetics. Unlike overhead systems, ground-mounted nozzles create a cooling effect from below, allowing the mist to rise naturally and evenly distributed throughout the area. This setup minimizes obstructions and blends seamlessly into patios, walkways, and garden spaces. The mist evaporates quickly, lowering temperatures by up to 30°F without leaving surfaces damp, making it ideal for pool decks, seating areas, and play spaces where traditional cooling methods may not be practical. Additionally, ground-level placement reduces the visibility of misting lines and hardware, maintaining the beauty of outdoor landscapes.

The Phoenix water supply mostly comes from snow melt, traveling thousands of miles across rocks and sediment, collecting hard minerals and contaminants. Untreated water, whether running through your plumbing or mist system, will cause scale to build and shorten the operating life of the equipment.

Treated Water – Supplying water to a mist system that is free of hard minerals (calcium & magnesium) will minimize the operating costs, extend the equipment life, and prevent scale buildup on furniture, walls and flooring. Removing hard minerals from water can be accomplished in two ways; a water softener or through a high-production reverse osmosis unit. It is important to understand that a conditioner or “No-Salt” water softener alternative system will not remove hard minerals from the water.

The use of a water softener is the most economical of the two options, plus, the softener can be connected to your home preventing your pipes from clogging, stops further scale buildup on your fixtures, shower glass and dishware. Plus, softened water reduces the amount of chemicals & detergents required for cleaning by up to 50%, saving you time and money!

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 may want the equipment farther away from the area, as the sound may create an unpleasant experience. We recommend 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 more enjoyable long-term experience!

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.

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.

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 its 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. The majority of our systems use 3/8″ 316L stainless steel tubing, which offers tremendous durability. 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. These tasks are critical for peak performance and longevity of the system. After the season is over, and temperatures start dropping, the annual service is important to protect the system from potential freezing and prepare for the coming season. The electrical and water supply are disconnected, oil and filters are changed, inspection of seals and connections, clogged nozzles are replaced, and all water is removed from the system. When Spring comes and temperatures start rising, just connect the water supply and electrical cord and you are ready mist!