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What is a Swamp Cooler?
What is a Swamp Cooler?
In the hot Southwestern summers during the 1920's, people would
often rest on screened-in "sleeping porches", and on especially hot
nights, water-soaked sheets or blankets would be hung outside these
screens with electric fans pulling the muggy night air through these
moist cloths. Subsequently, residents were able to experience
cooling comfort before the advent of modern air conditioners or
cooling systems. While this process has become more refined, the
above example reflects the technology of the modern swamp cooler.
If you live in a hot, arid climate, a swamp cooler is one of the
best ways to stay cool in the sweltering heat and costs much less to
operate than a standard air conditioner.
Swamp coolers produce
effective cooling and can reduce the ambient temperature by up to 20
degrees by combining the natural process of water evaporation within
a simple air moving system. Therefore, they provide a low-cost, low
technology alternative to standard refrigerated cooling.
How Does a Swamp Cooler Work?
Swamp coolers are relatively simple appliances, and we've all
experienced the power of evaporative cooling at one point or
another. The evaporative cooling principle can be likened to putting
on a wet t-shirt and standing in front of a fan. If the climate is
dry and the humidity is low, the cooling (and sometimes even
chilling) effect will be instantaneous. On the other hand, in areas
with high humidity levels, this process will only result in dampness
on the skin and in the air. In addition, unlike
air conditioners
where you will need to close all doors and windows, an evaporative
cooler will require adequate air flow and ventilation in order to
evenly and effectively distribute the cool air through the home and
expel warm, moist air through window openings.
There are typically two types of swamp coolers: direct and indirect.
Direct evaporative cooling lowers the ambient temperature by
changing water to vapor, and warm, dry air is transformed to cool,
moist air, while indirect evaporative cooling involves some type of
heat exchanger. Typically, swamp coolers used in residential or
industrial settings utilize direct evaporation, and this usually
involves an enclosed plastic or metal box with vented sides and a
centrifugal fan, along with an electric motor and a water pump to
moisten the evaporative cooling pads. These types of swamp coolers
can include casters for portability, be mounted on the roof, or
placed by the exterior walls or windows of a building. In order to
cool, the swamp cooler's fan draws warm air through the unit's side
vents and through the damp pads. Subsequently, air evaporates the
water from the pads, and these are constantly re-dampened in order
to continue the cooling process. These cooling pads can be
constructed of materials such as excelsior, plastic, or melamine
paper, and the pad's thickness plays a great part in a swamp
cooler's cooling efficiency because of the increased surface area.
In addition to being able to providing reliable and
cost-effecting cooling for homes, swamp coolers such those from
Port-A-Cool are also perfect for industrial and commercial
applications such as automotive garages, warehouses, and
agricultural areas. As well, become swamp coolers use very little
electricity and have a large cooling area, they are also suitable
for outdoor use, such as athletic fields, concerts, and stadiums.
Top Five Reasons to Purchase a Swamp Cooler
1. Cost-Effective - The estimated cost of operating a swamp cooler
is 1/4 that of refrigerated air, and power consumption is only
limited to the fan and water pump, as opposed to an air
conditioner's compressor, pump, and blower.
2. Easy and Inexpensive to Install - The estimated cost for
installing a swamp cooler can be 1/8 to 1/2 that of traditional air
conditioners.
3. Improves Air Quality - Because swamp coolers require adequate
ventilation, this constant and high volume airflow through a
building dramatically reduces the age-of-air.
4. Acts as a Humidifier - Swamp coolers add moisture to the air and
can keep you comfortable. As well, in dry areas, this much-needed
moisture helps keep wood furniture and fabrics from warping and
drying out.
5. Versatile - Swamp coolers can be used in a variety of situations
such as homes, offices, or industrial areas - as long as the climate
is dry.
See Swamp
Coolers
Return to the Portable Cooling Guide
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