zlacker

> Yes, the evaporating cools down the room, though I can't say I ever noticed it.

How does adding latent heat reduce the sensible heat? Are the clothes washed in very cold water?

>>hn_go_+(OP)
Water evaporating absorbs energy - the transition from liquid to gas takes more energy than changing the temperature of the water, so drying the clothes is a net reduction of energy in the surrounding air.

It relies on the air not being saturated (and for real effectiveness, requires relatively low humidity). It's quite popular in dry climates in the form of a "swamp cooler".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaporative_cooler

>>hn_go_+(OP)
> How does adding latent heat reduce the sensible heat? Are the clothes washed in very cold water?

You're not adding latent heat to a room, you're adding water, which when evaporating uses up the heat energy in the room which cools it down.

Look into how swamp chillers work.

>>sophac+X
Thanks, that makes sense. I should have realized this given removing latent heat adds sensible heat.

>>lelant+D6
Adding water to the air is literally adding latent heat. That's what the term means. Point taken about how that decreases sensible heat, though, thanks.