Evaporative Air Con (not happy!)

[Brent]

Hi all.

This has been bugging me all summer, so I'm seeking the experiences of any forumites who have ducted evaporative air conditioning in their houses.

We have evaporative air con at our place (Brivis unit), and I'll be buggered if I reckon that its not the most overrated method of cooling ever devised. Yep, I know... it relies on air movement rather than absolute cooling of a regrigerated air con. However, it seems if its sub 30 degrees outside, you get a nice, calming temperate breeze through the house, however, when you NEED air con is when its 33 degrees and upwards, and this is when it really struggles. I can barely get the inside air temp less than 28 degrees if its mid to high 30s outside. The breeze out of the vents never really seems 'cool'...just temperate. Almost muggy.

Is this normal? I've stuffed around with changing the angle of the ceiling vents, opening more windows, less windows, higher fan speeds, lower fan speeds, the works. Yep, I know that ambient humidity also affects it, but even on hot & dry days, its performance is ordinary.

PS. Unit is about 3 years old and was serviced last summer.

These are apparently very popular, so, does anyone else have similar issues?

Thanks,
Brent.