Air Cooled Hood VS Cool Tube + (Differences & Similarities)

Maintaining optimal temperatures in your garden should be a high priority for your plants’ well-being. 

You can use various resources for this process, and this guide will focus on a major debate you have encountered.

This is the air-cooled hood vs cool tube guide. We have identified all you need to know about these crucial gardening resources. While both are excellent, learning more about their functionalities is also good.

So, let us begin:

Air Cooled vs Cool Tube – For Starters 

We outlined the major similarities and differences in the air-cooled vs cool tube debate. Both air-cooled and cool tubes systems serve one major purpose: to regulate a space’s temperature. They do this by circulating air within the given space. 

The air then goes through cooling procedures, and circulates back to the grow room canopy. Both systems also use a compressor or fan to extract and cool the down . 

The huge difference between these two systems involves the process of air cooling. In the air cooled systems, air undergoes cooling by a fan that directs air over a cold surface. 

The surface often varies, with the common versions being evaporators or condenser oil. The cool air then circulates back into the room or grow tent, the cooling process’s crux.

A cool tube is different because it cools air through a compressor, which extracts and cools down the air. 

The air then circulates back into the grow room or grow tent. Both air-cooled and tube systems. Our research also shows that air-cooled systems are much more effective for cooling the air. They are more energy efficient and maintain a consistent temperature without misusing energy. 

One similarity between these systems is that they have refrigerant for air cooling. It refers to a chemical that helps with heat dissipation in controlled environments like grow tents or rooms. 

The air cool systems feature a coolant, while the cool tubes use liquid nitrogen. Both also use a compressor to cool the refrigerant. 

Air Cooled vs Cool Tube – The Similarities

1. Both systems help to reduce the temperature in your grow room and leaves a small light footprint.
2. They also feature fans for air redirection and circulation.
3. Both air-cooled and cool tube systems feature a condenser coil for relaying heat outdoors.
4. Both systems work well with other cooling systems for grow rooms like air conditioners. 
5. Each also features a component referred to as an evaporator coil. It helps with heat absorption and air cooling functions. 

Air Cooled vs Cool Tube – The Differences 

1. Air-cooled reflectors feature reflectors that use a fan for cooling. However, cool tubes use an internal fan for cooling the light.
2. Air-cooled reflectors don’t have sealing and are open to the environment. However, cool tubes are fully sealed. 
3. Air-cooled reflectors are less efficient, because some heat dissipates to the environment. However, cool tubes are efficient because they maintain some heat in the reflector.
4. Reflectors are less costly than the cool tubes.
5. Air cooled reflectors are heavier than the cool tubes. That is because they feature an external fan. 

What is An Air-Cooled Hood?

An air-cooled grow house is a greenhouse designed to serve hydroponic gardening functions. It is closed and insulated system that features an air-cooled hood. 

The role of this reflective hood is to reduce the amount of air that gets into the garden space. It also helps with temperature and humidity regulation functions in gardens. Many growers like its quality when leaving a small light footprint.

Usually, the hood is integrated into a fan, which circulates air around the garden and it helps cool the grow room. 

The cooler environment improves the hydroponic system’s thriving because no additional cooling systems are required. The air-cooled hood also works well to maintain garden heat and humidity levels. 

An air-cooled hood also helps regulate the light amount that gets to your grow house. Some growers even use it for purposes like filtering out harmful UV rays. These grow houses are highly efficient, and affordable resources you can use for hydroponic gardening. 

Benefits of an Air-Cooled Hood

There are various benefits of using an air-cooled hood for your garden, including:

1. Improved circulation. An air-cooled hood improves the circulation quality in your garden. It ensures enhanced and efficient cooling for plants and soil. The increased circulation reduces issues like stress or water loss from the plants. 
2. Improved light distribution. An air-cooled hood offers optimal light distribution throughout the garden. The plant will access improved photosynthesis, and healthier growth results.
3. Pest protection. Air-cooled hoods can also work well for protecting your garden against issues like pests. Common ones include cats, birds, and other animals.
4. Reduced water consumption. An air-cooled hood reduces the water requirements because it cools your soil. It means your plants become better at absorbing moisture in the air, reducing the need for water.
5. Enhanced aesthetic appeal. An air-cooled hood also helps improve the appearance and feel of your garden. It makes up for an excellent way to add style to your garden while still enjoying improved air circulation results. 

Disadvantages of An Air Cooled Hood

There are various disadvantages of an air-cooled hood:

1. Costly. Air-cooled hoods are more expensive than traditional lighting systems for growing houses. That is because they need components like fans and ducts, which can increase the costs. They also require enough space around the hood for the air-cooling process.
2. Excessive heat production. Air-cooled hoods also produce significant amounts of heat. This means you need a higher-capacity cooling system for the best results. It can be a problem for cannabis plants because heat damages them and leads to slow growth.
3. Noisy. Air-cooled hoods are loud, making them difficult to use in settings that require peace and quiet. 
4. Energy efficiency. Air-cooled hoods are less energy efficient than other traditional lighting systems. They need more energy and time to run. 

How to Set up an Air-Cooled Hood

There are various steps involved in setting up an air-cooled hood, including:

1. Ensure you purchase a hood that is suitable for the size of your garden. You should also purchase other components to help support the addition of an air-cooled light to your garden. These include an air-cooled light and fan to help reduce the heat the hood will produce.
2. Connect the light to the hood, then set it up alongside the fan on the hood. Set the hood on your garden, and ensure you attach it correctly to the system.
3. Finally, connect the fan, and the light to the system. Next, adjust the settings until they get to the desired level. 
4. Once everything is complete, you will enjoy cooler temperatures for your plants, and watch them thrive. 

What is a Cool Tube

A cool tube is a gardening resource for temperature control, especially during the hot summer. 

Its characteristic shape mimics a cylindrical plastic tube, and you connect it to a garden fan. You then connect this system to a timer and a thermostat. The fan directs air through the cylindrical system, removing heat from the air. 

The cooling effect helps ensure your indoor plants have the best temperatures for growing. A cool tube is popular for being a cost-effective and portable resource for gardening purposes. Using cool tubes allows gardeners to set bulbs closer to plants without facing burning issues. 

It helps increase lumen exposure, the yield amount the plant produces. Cool tubes are also suitable for applications like floor lighting, and you can set them upside down with the light beaming from beneath your plants. You can also attach a carbon filter to your cool tube.

Benefits of a Cool Tube

There are various benefits of using a cool tube for gardening, including:

1. Improved yield. Cool tubes feature components that help reflect light down to your plants. This helps improve the quality of light your plants receive for photosynthesis.
2. Efficiency light usage. Cool tubes allow additional light to get your plants easily. They help reduce the need for more light for gardening purposes.
3. Improved heat control. Cool tubes reflect the heat away from your plants. Doing this helps reduce the temperatures of grow room, and this guarantees an improved gardening environment. 
4. Enhanced air circulation. Cool tubes direct air around your plants, guaranteeing enhanced ventilation and humidity control. You can also attach a carbon filter or wing reflector to your cool tube.
5. Quality light distribution. Cool tubes will easily spread light evenly over your plants. Doing this ensures plants receive the same quality and light amount. 
6. Decreased energy costs. Cool tubes are an energy-efficient resource for delivering light and optimal airflow to your plants. It also offers quality without a compromising the value of your money.

Disadvantages of Cool Tube

There are various disadvantages to using a cool tube, including:

1. Cost. While cool tubes are exceptional for gardening, they require lots of funds, and dedication to run effectively. Plus, setting them up is complex, and you may need a professional service provider.
2. Limited coverage. Cools tubes have limited coverage, and mostly work well for cooling a small space. Therefore, cooling a large space will require several cool tubes. 
3. Heat issues. Cool tubes also produce heat when operating, making it difficult to perform temperature regulations. 
4. Maintenance. These gardening tools also require regular maintenance, and product replacements. Doing this helps ensure the cool tubes operate at optimal levels.

How to Set up a Cool Tube

Here are the steps involved in setting up a cool tube for your garden:

1. Pick a suitable location for setting the cool tube. We recommend a location taht receives sufficient sunlight for at least seven days a day. Ensure this area is also free from obstacles like trees.
2. Work on the ground. Remove any weeds, dirt, or gardening components in your work environment. 
3. Set up the cool tube. Get the user manual or a professional to help set up the cool tube. 
4. Integrate a fan into your cool tube. You must connect a fan to help reduce the heat the cool tube produces. 
5. Connect the tube to a power source. Ensure the power source is free from other high-powered components in your garden. 
6. Integrate the tube into a source of water. Doing this helps with cooking, especially if you have large lights.
7. Customize the water temperature to suit your needs. We recommend you use a sound-based thermometer to help with this process.
8. Check the components of the tube regularly. Doing this will help ensure your garden has the ideal air flow quality and light.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In conclusion, both air-cooled hoods and cool tubes are excellent temperature control resources. Air-cooled hoods are cost-effective and easy to install, but they do not provide the same cooling power as cool tubes.

On the other hand, cool tubes provide more cooling power and can be used to cool multiple grow spaces. That said, they are more costly than their counterparts, and require more installation time. Ultimately, deciding which type of cooling solution is best for you will depend on your budget and the size of your grow space.