The Evaporative Air Cooler
The Evaporative Cooler
In the right climate conditions, evaporative air coolers orswamp coolers offer many advantages over conventional air conditioning systems. Lower installation costs, lower operating costs, and easier maintenance are just a few of the benefits to be realized by utilizing an evaporative cooler. Additionally they can improve environmental conditions for those in dry climates.
The Basics
Evaporativce coolers work on a very basic scientific prinicple. As dry hot air is combined with water, the air absorbs a certain amount of the water, and the temperature of the air then drops to that of the water. Evaporative air coolers have been used for decades. They are most effective in warm, dry climates. Typically they will only work in climate conditions of 30% humidity or less. So this is not a technology that can be utilized in tropical areas with high levels of humidity.
The first air coolers were very rudimetary. In the southwest, on hot nights, people would sleep outside in gazebo-like structure. Around this structure they would hang wet sheets. As the hot wind blew through the damp sheets, the air would absorb moisture and drop in temperature, thus cooling the area inside the structure.
More modern air coolers use a very similar design. Pads consisting of cellulose or wood chips are kept wet using an attached water source. A fan blows outside air across the pads where the air absorbs some of the moisture. This cooler air is then routed into the home where it cools and humidifies the interior environment.
Low Installation Costs
Because the evaporative air cooler system is so simple, the cost for a unit capable of cooling a home is much lower than that of standard air conditioning systems. If an air cooler will be the primary cooling method in a home, it should be designed and installed by a professional. There are certain considerations that must be taken into account. For one, the system humidifies the air. This can cause issues if the humidity becomes so high that it affects wood doors and molding. A professional can design and locate a system that will provide the optimum cooling capability without affecting any of the interior doors and trim.
Low Operating Costs
The only part of an air cooler that requires any power to run is the fan. The cooling process itself requires no energy as it place naturally when the blown air moves across the wet pads. The unit will also require a permanently attached water source. In most installations, an evaporative cooler can run at 30% of the cost of a standard freon based air conditioning system.
Easy And Inexpensive Maintenance
Maintenance for an air cooler system is extremely basic. Depending on the type of pads used, they will need to be replaced every year or every couple of years. Since the cooler is not used in the winter, there are a few steps that you will want to perform to winterize the system. In very cold climates you’ll want to disconnect the water source. This prevents any water freezing inside the cooler line. Clean out any debris in the tray in the bottom of the cooler. Then dry the tray to ensure it doesn’t begin to rust. A cover to protect the cooler from the elements is also a good idea.
In the spring you’ll want to perform the following steps to get your cooler ready for the summer. Reconnect the water source to the cooling unit. Check the tension on the fan belt. If necessary, replace the cooler pads. Check the manufacturers recommendations for replacement guidelines. Then switch on the cooler motor and pump to ensure the cooling pads are being properly saturated. Then you’re ready to go.
Health Benefits
There are certain health beneits that air coolers provide that traditional air conditioning units do not. For one, an evaporative air cooler system is constanly pulling in fresh outside air. A traditional AC system simply reciruclates the same air inside the house. Also, the cooling pads catch airborn contaminants before they enter the house. And finally, air coolers add humidity to the air. This can be especially helpful in extremely dry areas. An AC unit requires a separate humidifier to adjust the internal humidity of a home.
With so many advantage over a traditional system, it is worth investigating whether or not one of these systems will work in your home. Even if you’ve already got a traditional system, utilizing a small, portable swamp cooler would allow you to cool smaller areas of your house independently. If you live in an area that is hot and dry during the summer, an evaporative air cooler system may be ideal for you.
Tagged: Featured
Got something to say? Click here to reply
