swamp cooler

What are air coolers?
An evaporative cooler (also swamp cooler, desert cooler and wet air cooler) is a device that cools air through the evaporation of water. Evaporative cooling differs from typical air conditioning systems which use vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycles.

How do swamp coolers compare with traditional air conditioning systems in terms of cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and environmental impact?

The goal of both of swamp coolers and traditional ACs is to cool your space. However, swamp coolers are available at a lower overall price point, are more energy efficient, and are much more environmentally friendly than traditional air conditioning systems. Evaporative air coolers come in a variety of designs and capacities - from the portable swamp cooler design that can easily be moved from room to room to the convenient window mount evaporative cooler design that saves valuable floor space and covers larger areas. More importantly, many swamp coolers require only minor to moderate setup, such as placement of air filters or window mounting.

The use of simple technology to cool your indoor air helps portable air coolers excel at energy efficiency. When compared to air conditioners that use refrigerated cooling systems, operating swamp coolers costs up to 50 percent less. In fact, a 36-inch evaporative air cooler operating for eight hours typically costs less than one dollar because the only costs associated with operating it are water and electricity. This is almost three times cheaper than traditional cooling costs.

How are swamp coolers environment friendly?
For environmentally conscious consumers, swamp coolers are an ideal solution for keeping cool without harming the environment. Unlike traditional air conditioners that use refrigerants to cool your home, swamp coolers use a natural process that cools the air using motion and water. This process won't add ozone-harming pollutants or other chemicals to the environment. Furthermore, swamp coolers actually work best when fresh air is available, such as from an open window or door. This constant circulation ensures that your indoor air is fresher than it would be with traditional air conditioners that require an airtight space to operate. Plus, the evaporative cooling process naturally humidifies dry air - reducing dry air symptoms such as itchy eyes, throat, or skin.

How much maintenance does air cooler require?
Although caring for portable air coolers and window-mounted air coolers is slightly different, both require very little maintenance overall. Basic cleanings and proper storage/shut down of the appliance are the primary factors in determining the performance and life of your evaporative air cooler.

What are the different things one needs to do for maintenance of a air cooler?
The filter and water curtains of the portable air cooler should be cleaned once every two weeks with lukewarm water and a mild detergent to avoid dust, dirt, mold, and mildew build-up, especially if the device has been used for long periods of time. The outer housing of the air cooler should be cleaned periodically with a water hose. When you have finished using your portable air cooler for the season, simply wipe it clean, drain the water tank, clean the filter and water curtain, and operate the fan-only function (if available) for 30 to 60 minutes to completely dry the device before storing.

For window-mounted air coolers, the primary maintenance tasks involve preparing the swamp cooler for spring start-up and shutting it down for the season when it is no longer necessary. To prepare your window-mounted swamp cooler for use during the warm months, change the moisture pads, clean the pump, and oil the motor (if necessary). To shut it down during the winter, drain any excess water from the cooler and water supply line, disconnect the water line, cover the cooler, and unplug it from the power supply, especially if it will not be used for an extended amount of time.

How does an air cooler work?
Air cooler air conditioning uses evaporation to cool the air. In an air cooler a pump circulates water from the reservoir on to a cooling pad, which in turn becomes very wet. A fan draws air from outside the unit through the moistened pad. As it passes through the pad the air is cooled by evaporation. The key to effective "air cooler" cooling is ensuring that each of the cooling pads are completely saturated at all times during operation and that the systems fan & motor are sized and designed to deliver the appropriate airflow for the home.

What are the different types of Air Coolers?
There are a few different types of evaporative coolers. In some, a fine mist is sprayed into the air and then propelled out with a fan. The water in this mist is in fine droplets, which causes it to evaporate quickly, absorbing heat from the air. In other systems, air is actually blown past or through some material covered with water. It can be blown through a fine mesh, for example, or past wet pads. The evaporation cools the wet material, which in turn cools the air.

Are air coolers effective?
Traditional air conditioners work well in nearly any weather conditions, but evaporative cooling is more suited to some conditions than others. The air can hold only a certain amount of moisture. If it reaches that level, water starts to condense out of the air as fast as it evaporates into it, effectively preventing evaporative cooling. The relative humidity is a measure of the proportion of the maximum humidity contained in the air. For example, if the relative humidity is at 20 percent, the air contains 20% of its maximum humidity. On hot, dry days, the air can hold a lot more humidity than it contains, and evaporative cooling can decrease the temperature by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit. As it gets muggier, however, evaporative cooling becomes less effective. Evaporative cooling works best in hot dry climates like Denver and worst in hot humid climates like Los Angeles.

How much cooler can a room get due to an Air Cooler?
This can vary, but as an average guide an Air Cooler will reduce the ambient room temperature by 25-30%.

Should i use ice water for my air coolers, or use air cubes for it's use?
NO. There is a common myth that Air Coolers work better with ice. This is wrong. All you need is cold water directly from a tap. For an Evaporative Air Cooler to work the water needs to be evaporating – therefore the ice would need to thaw and turn to room temperature water before it can start to evaporate.

Does an Air Cooler have a temperature control option?
As air coolers basically cool the air with the principal of natural cooling, there is no use of a compressor. Hence it is not possible to control the room temperature in the same way as a refrigerative air conditioners.

What size room can be cooled with an Evaporative Air Cooler?
Different coolers are suitable for different sized rooms. See the specification sheet for each product, which gives a guide for the area that will be cooled.

Can I keep the windows open with an Evaporative Air Cooler?
Yes, as air coolers need to draw fresh air from outside, it is better to keep the wndows open. Hence it means that you constantly have new clean air in the room you are cooling. So one could say that as air coolers need new fresh air to work, they are more ideal to be used in outdoor areas, for example smoling areas and patios.

What happens if the cooler runs out of water?
If an Evaporative Air Cooler runs out of water it will simply work as a fan. It will not damage the machine.

What maintenance is required?
Evaporative coolers are designed to be a low maintenance way of cooling an area. When you have finished using the cooler it is best to drain the water from the tank using the drainage tap and let the fan spin for a while to dry out the filter pad. If the pad is left damp for a period it may smell, in which case we suggest that you run a mild mix of Milton fluid (or similar) through the system. Should you require parts or assistance Scott are more than happy to help.

Will an Evaporative Air Cooler make the air in the room dry?
No, because the air is cooled using water an Evaporative Air Cooler will help to humidify the air in the room. This helps to create a healthier environment.

Do Evaporative Air Coolers give off any gas emissions?
No. Unlike refrigerative air conditioners, Evaporative Air Coolers do not use a compressor and therefore do not use gas. All that is used is water and air. This also makes an Evaporative Air Cooler more environmentally sound as they require a lot less power than an Air Conditioner.


How long before I need to re-soak the cooling filter?
Depending on the temperature and relative humidity; a hot and dry environment like Las Vegas will last 30 minutes before re-soaking is required. A humid climate will allow the cooling filter to remain wet for more than 2 hours before re-soaking is required.

Why does the output air smell ’peculiar’?
Referring to the instructions, you need to periodically wash and massage the cooling filter with antibacterial soap. You should also always open the filter cover after use to allow proper drying of the cooling filter. This should prevent any unpleasant mildew and odor forming on the filter.

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