Does it sometimes seem like the weather controls your life? Does it dictate when you can or can't have a barbeque or a party out on the patio? Keep you indoors for weeks on re-circulated air and limited sunlight? Does that seem healthy? You might consider looking into outdoor cooling technology. An investment in misting systems technology can really change your lifestyle for the better. In fact, most people who have misting systems say they don't know how they ever got along without them. Of course there is a downside...now the whole neighborhood wants to come over to your place for the parties!  We have all seen those cheap patio misters sold at the big box stores. They connect to your garden hose and basically serve as mini-sprinklers. They get everyone and everything slightly wet, and provide some outdoor cooling.  But its not the air that is cooler, it is the people (who may or may not enjoy getting soaked on your patio!) And in fact, the cool feeling they experience is only equivalent to about 10-15 degrees.  So the food is wet, people are tracking dirty water into the house, and they are not much cooler? That is where high pressure misting systems make a huge improvement...

Gotta get the high pressure misting system!

But how much do these things cost?

There is no question that there is a big price difference between the cheap mini-sprinklers and the nice higher pressure misting systems. Expect to pay at least $1000 for a system that is of decent quality and which will last for years. You will find some cheaper Chinese made products out there for half the cost, but they can run really hot and might burn up in one summer of normal use. And you can definitely spend more for a system, but often it is worth it. They are rated by how many hours of continuous use they can handle, and how much noise they produce. Entry level misting systems can run 4-6 hours and are about as loud as a dishwasher. Higher rated outdoor cooling systems can go up to 24 hours a day, with the noise level of a refrigerator. (Keep in mind, you can normally position the pump around the corner and not have to worry about the noise.) You can upgrade the misting lines to stainless steel for a more elegant look and for a more permanent misting system line that will just about last forever. Higher level systems cost more like $2000, but you do get what you pay for to a large extent.

So the bottom line is this...an investment in misting technology can get you outdoors more, expand entertainment options, and keep your guests comfortable and safe...even in the hottest places on the hottest days. Look into it!