In order to determine the efficiency and consumption of an evaporative cooler, which follows the Maisotsenko cycle, an experimental installation was constructed, able to provide multiple options of inlet conditions and supported by measurement systems. The degree to which it is possible to achieve the nominal efficiency levels as well as the effect of the ambient conditions on water consumption were examined, and it was discovered that under different conditions and in the optimization mode, the efficiency levels vary between 97% and 115%, while water consumption varies between 2.5 kg(w) kWh(c)(-1) and 3.0 kg(w) kWh(c)(-1). The experimental procedure and the measurement processing are analyzed in detail and finally, it is ascertained that Maisotsenko cycle based coolers can satisfy the cooling demand with high efficiency in the hot and arid Mediterranean climate. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.