Drum air cooler sales up as mercury rises

The unprecedented rise in mercury, on top of increased load-shedding hours and rising inflation have meant that many who cannot afford running generators and air conditioners, have had to look for alternative ways to cool off this vexing summer.

Products like air coolers made from water drums and battery-operated fans that are available in the market for a fraction of the price of an actual company-made air cooler have become a hot favourite among middle and low-income groups, who have been relying on these makeshift devices get through the stifling heat.

According to Umer Farooqi, who deals in such products, the air-cooler may be the poor man’s air conditioner, but the drum cooler is the poorer man’s air conditioner. “It comes in three different sizes, is fashioned from car parts and a water drum and can cost anywhere between Rs2,500 to Rs4,000. The mechanism is the same as any other air-cooler; which is to say that it has to be filled with [cold] water for it to be able to dispel [cold] air,” informed Farooqui, adding that these devices are largely manufactured in a cottage-industry set up in areas like Godhra and can be altered to run on batteries or via solar panels amid the ongoing power crisis.

According to the retailer, battery-operated drum coolers are the most popular variety among buyers, as they offer relief from the stifling heat during load-shedding hours.

“There is such a high demand for them that we are struggling to maintain continuous supply. The prices have gone up by at least Rs500 since the last petroleum price hike, but people still find these coolers more affordable than other cooling products in the market,” he added.

However, according to Shahrukh, who deals in electronic appliances, air coolers although cheap are not suitable for Karachi’s climate. “These air-coolers are also called desert coolers and they are better suited for dry climates. As they need water to cool the air, they also add to the humidity which is counterproductive for severely humid cities like Karachi,” commented the retailer, adding that they still somehow remain a far cheaper solution to beat the heat for the city’s middle and low income segments.

Other than air-coolers, the market for battery operated lamps and rechargeable fans has also seen a significant growth amid increased power outages, reminiscent of 2010s. These items, mostly locally made, are available for anywhere between Rs600 to Rs1,500 depending on quality.

“However, higher end rechargeable ceiling and pedestal fans are a bit on the steeper side, costing between Rs6,000 to Rs20,000 apiece,” a retailer told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2022.