Project HEAT: Harnessing Arduino Technology For A Cooler Environment

This study developed and evaluated a solar-powered automatic misting system designed to reduce ambient temperature through energy-efficient and automated cooling mechanisms. The system integrated a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor, Arduino Uno microcontroller, piezoelectric humidifier, and solar-powered energy subsystem to provide adaptive misting based on environmental conditions. A quantitative quasi experimental research design was employed to assess the system’s cooling efficiency and operational performance under varying temperature conditions. Cooling time measurements were collected across three temperature levels under normal conditions and mist-assisted conditions. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were utilized to analyze the gathered data. Results revealed a statistically significant difference between the control and misting conditions, with the system reducing average cooling time by approximately 57.4 seconds (p = .005). The misting system also demonstrated more consistent cooling performance, as indicated by lower variability in post-intervention trials. Energy analysis further showed that the solar-powered configuration supplied sufficient energy for continuous operation while maintaining low power consumption. Overall, the findings indicate that the proposed Arduino-based solar-powered misting system is an effective, energy-efficient, and sustainable cooling solution that may help mitigate heat-related discomfort in outdoor and resource-constrained environments.