If you’re like me, you’re already reaching for that smart thermostat to crank up the air conditioner. It’s going to be an expensive summer—but it doesn’t have to be.
There’s a little device out there called the Mistbox, and it’s determined to keep your energy costs down via the “evaporative cooling” process. It’s sort of like a smart thermostat for your AC and according to the makers of Mistbox, this is a solution that has been around for decades.
To install the Mistbox, just attach the device to your AC unit and feed the tubing into a direct water source. The actual device is powered by solar energy, so it doesn’t need an electrical outlet. And because it has WiFi, you can place it anywhere on the AC.
Once connected, the device uses sensors to know when the time is right to spray a little filtered mist into the outside air entering the AC unit. This cools down the area outside (up to 30 degrees) and makes for a more efficient system that runs less and consumes less power.
Because the air is cool when it enters the AC, it doesn’t have to work as hard to lower the temperature. The end result: You save money. Who doesn’t love doing that?
Another perk to having built-in WiFi on the Mistbox is that it can connect to the company’s mobile app. This allows homeowners to track and manage usage, settings and even savings.
The Mistbox ships with an integrated mounting bracket, along with a custom anti-scale water filter and four misting sprays already attached. It also comes with custom hooks for the spray bars, zip ties, a 30-foot UV-tolerant water supply line, two adapters for connecting the water supply, and more.
The Mistbox is selling now for $449. However, the company says that purchase could make you eligible for a federal green tax credit, which would bring the cost down to $315.
Looking for other ways to save on your energy bill this summer? Check out “6 Ways to Save on AC Without a Smart Thermostat.”
EH JLSUDBERRY says
You have failed to do the first basic step of any “cost saving†device and that is what the payback time is. If one pays $449 plus tax and shipping as most will. But most optimistically just start with $449. Now, what climate will it be in? Arizona, S Florida, Oregon Vermont? In climates like Vermont where most don’t even have whole house AC, the savings on a whole house unit might be $5 to $10 a month. With a cooling season of 4 months at most, that makes payback 11 to 22 YEARS. Oregon with about 5 months of cooling would be 9 to 15 years. Arizona where “swamp cooler†technology has been used for decades is probably the vest case but still even $10 a month for 10 months a year is 4.5 years payback. In S Florida, most water would eat up a filter every month. How much are they? But even at $10 a month year round the payback is still 4 years. Plus factor in your AC rusting out due to that continually soaked AC unit and the mold build up and fan rust.
An interesting idea but a complete failure on your part to examine the cost, the payback and the potential damage before shilling it.
Mr Research says
JLSUDBERRY, per a Mistbox review, the filter costs $30 and needs to be swapped out once a year. Granted, if your water is horrible, I could see performance reduction by mid-season, but that is just speculative on my part. Reviews from actual owners seem favorable overall, but some people didn’t have success. Again, who knows where they live, like you said, as the climate will definitely impact the effectiveness of this product.