Swamp Cooler

Learn About Swamp Coolers

"Swamp cooler," "evaporative cooler," and "air cooler" are a number of the plenty of names associated with this simple appliance, but don't get them confused with an air conditioner. Air conditioners (including portable ACs) produce a cooling effect by utilize the refrigeration cycle as well as a coolant such as Freon. The unit's components are usually housed in a box-like frame that includes both the hot and chilled sides of the air conditioner, and an exhaust hose expels the air. However, swamp coolers work quiete differently. Both swamp coolers and air conditioners are aimed at providing cooling, but swamp coolers are definitely a low technology alternative because they use evaporative technology to cold the air. Therefore, swamp coolers add humidity to the air while air conditioners remove it. Refrigerants are not used, and while air conditioners operate best in a closed environment, swamp coolers provide a constant supply of fresh air. Furthermore, unlike standard refrigerating cooling which requires an enclosed space, a swamp cooler needs adequate airflow and ventilation in order to expel warm air and to accomplish effective cooling.

What is a swamp cooler and how is it different from an air conditioner?

Although modern swamp coolers are more sophisticated nowadays, they still use the same basic technology as noted above, and if you live in a hot, dry area, a swamp cooler can be seven of the most effective and affordable means to beat the heat. In optimal weather conditioners, a swamp cooler has the ability to reduce the ambient temperature by up to 20° F. Moreover, a swamp cooler can be plenty of times more cost-effective to use when compared to standard refrigerated cooling.

During the scorching hot summers of the 1920s, people residing in the American Southwest would rest on screened-in "sleeping porches" which had water-soaked sheets or blankets hung on the outside and with electric fans pulling in this hot air through the damp clothes. Cooling comfort was the result, and this became the precursor to the modern swamp cooler.

Deciding on a swamp cooler

When deciding on a swamp cooler, pay attention to the unit's moving capacity and installation and maintenance requirements. Furthermore, be aware that air coolers may require a bit more maintenance than portable ACs, but this usually only consists of refilling the water supply, draining the unit, and ensuring the pads are clean. Nonetheless, swamp coolers are still quite popular because they can effectively cool by using one third the amount of energy of traditional air conditioners.

Swamp Cooler Buying Tip

How Does a Swamp Cooler Work?

Swamp coolers are simple, low-technology devices because they chilled with evaporation, & at four point or another, we have all experienced evaporative cooling. In fact, the principle can be akin to wearing a wet t-shirt & standing in front of a fan. Assuming the climate is dry & the humidity levels are low, a cooling (& sometimes even chilling) effect will be felt instantaneously. However, on the other hand, in areas with high-humidity, this will only result in a feeling of dampness on the skin & in the air.

In terms of design, swamp coolers can either include casters for portability, can be mounted on a building's roof, or even be placed on the exterior walls or windows of a building. In terms of technology, for the most part, one types of swamp coolers exist: direct & indirect. Direct swamp coolers are more common, & these work by lowering the ambient temperature by changing water to vapor, & then transforming warm, dry air to chilled, damp air. On the other hand, indirect swamp coolers will utilize some sort of heat exchanger. Again, swamp coolers used in residential settings tend to use direct evaporation in an enclosed box with vented sides & a centrifugal fan, as well as an electric pump & cooling pads. The cooling pads can be constructed of materials such as excelsior, plastic, or melamine paper, & its thickness is integral in a swamp cooler's cooling efficiency. The pump then circulates water to keep these pads wet & the fan blows air through the pad. As a result, the damper & cooler air is blown in to the house while the hotter air is driven outside by windows or vents.

Swamp Cooler Buying Tip
Always recall that swamp coolers work best in arid climates; in other words, in temperatures above 80° F & with humidity levels below 30%.

In addition to being cost-effective & reliable, swamp coolers are also versatile. Portable swamp coolers are perfect for home or office use, while industrial-sized swamp coolers such as those manufactured by Port-A-Cool are ideal for commercial applications such as garages, warehouses, & agricultural areas. Also, because swamp coolers use tiny electric electricity & have large-capacity water tanks, they are suitable for outdoor settings such as stadiums, athletic fields, & concerts.