If you’re reading this it’s because you might be asking yourself “What’s the difference between a store-bought misting system and a commercial grade professional misting system?”
Here’s a helpful side-by-side chart to start us off.
First Impressions
There’s an old saying in the world of designer products: “Form Follows Function.” Which means simply, that the product must work first (and work well) before we worry about making it visually appealing. Its form (or aesthetic) must not interfere with how it works; otherwise what’s the point?
But we’re going to flip the script here and talk about the form first. Why? Because after any misting system install is complete, you’ll have to look at it almost every day — even on days it’s not in use. DIY or not, this is a semi-permanent installation in your space.
So let’s start by looking at form…
The image above pretty much sums it up. The first impression, or aura, or vibe, that is commonly found with a DIY system is…lackluster. A sagging misting system is enough to downgrade the overall look of the space.
We’ll call it what it is: an eyesore.
Sure, the price tag on a DIY misting system might be appealing; there’s no denying that a DIY solution will be less expensive than a professional grade system; but with a short operating life and the constant need to replace lines, connectors, and nozzles — that should be enough reason to make you reconsider.
Even when a DIY misting system is installed well, it still detracts from the overall facade of your exterior; whereas a color-matched system elevates the space.
A custom tailored and calibrated professional install like the ones we provide here at Element Mist use the highest quality materials with custom matched colors to create a long lasting system that not only works (function) but also elevates the look of your space (form). Get a system that cools the area and boosts the overall value of your home or business and you’ll have made a good investment in your quality of life.
Misting System Pressure
In Arizona (and most of the USA) we are certainly among the fortunate and blessed to have municipal water systems that produce water pressure for our homes, unlike many other places in the world — but is that water pressure enough for a quality misting system?
Short answer: no.
Here’s why: In Arizona our homes put out roughly 40-60 PSI of water through our plumbing. This amount is perfect for getting water through the faucet or shower heads, and will even push water through DIY misting systems. But it simply isn’t enough pressure to produce fine mist — not to mention that the spray nozzles closer to the hose adapter get unequally far more pressure than the nozzles at the end of the line. This produces a sloppy, dripping effect with the mist being produced at one end and large water droplets on the other. Think, overhead sprinklers instead of mist.
Element Mist’s professional grade misting systems are installed with a pump that pressurizes the lines in the neighborhood of 1,000 PSI. This pressure (along with high grade nozzles) is what allows for a super fine mist to be sprayed equally through every nozzle in the system, ensuring a perfect drip-free mist that will lower the ambient temperature of the misted area.
Filtration
Professional grade misting systems like the ones we install include a two-stage filter. This helps to clear the water of particulates that could clog the nozzles and reduce your misting system’s efficacy; and in Arizona particularly, these filters help to soften the hard water we have, again resulting in a better misting experience and a longer lasting system.
DIY setups often do not include a water filter. Not having a water filter sets up your system for a very short lifespan as the nozzles will build up with particulates and limescale, effectively sealing them shut after only a dozen or so uses.
Nozzle Quality
Professional grade misting systems employ premium nozzles from select suppliers. There are two things to note about premium misting nozzles: 1) The non-drip stainless steel nozzles (like these ones from Aeromist) are designed specifically to block water when the pressure is lowered (i.e. you turn off the misters) resulting in significantly longer lasting nozzles; and 2) The orifice in which the water exits the mister is significantly smaller than that of DIY misting kits which results in an even, fine mist as opposed to large and messy sprays or droplets.
DIY Misting Kits most often use brass nozzles which are inferior in quality to their premium stainless steel counterparts. These nozzles will leak the remaining water in the line after the misting system has been shut off. It’s this drip-drop action that actually allows for the rapid accumulation of limescale deposits, ruining the nozzles quickly.
Simply put, these are two different misting experiences.
Remote Start
If you’re located in the Southwest USA like we are, you’ll understand our appreciation for a remote start feature. Similar to starting your vehicle from the comfort of your home on one of those sweltering summer days, our premium misting systems allow for you to start and stop the pump via your phone.
Cool your space for a few minutes before heading outside — or check and make sure you shut off your system at your place of business while you’re miles away.
Value Comparison
Professional Misting Systems: Professional systems can cost anywhere from $3,000 – $10,000 depending on the size and scope of your requirements. At first glance, yikes, right?
DIY Misting System: It is likely to cost anywhere from $20-$200 depending on the size and scope. Much cheaper!
But here’s the full picture:
DIY System: You get what you pay for. A cheap set-up that produces a cheap experience. A DIY set up is bound to provide poor quality “mist” droplets that will wet your clothes, water down your food and drinks, and splatter annoyingly on your skin. The nozzles clog after short use, and the lines deteriorate in the hot Southwestern sun — needing constant repair, leaving you hot and dry when you need it most.
Professional System: You get what you pay for. A high quality set-up that produces a high quality experience. A professionally installed misting system will produce an ultra-fine mist that lowers the atmospheric temperature around you while not soaking your clothes in the process. It lasts for years, requires very little maintenance, and adds value to your living experience.
Conclusion
Though we are biased to our own work, of course, we still feel a professionally installed misting system is an obvious choice for most home and business owners that are looking to cool of their space.
We strongly suggest getting a free quote from us at Element Mist, to see what we can do for you with our professional misting systems!
