Portable Cooling Guide: How to Choose Between a Portable Air Conditioner and a Swamp Cooler

When it is impractical, too expensive or too hard to install a standard, permanent air conditioning system, it may be necessary to consider a portable cooling solution. The two portable cooling solutions that people are choosing from are portable air conditioners and swamp coolers. Both of these products are designed to cool homes but they use different technologies to perform this function.

These cooling solutions are often interchanged even though they are very different. For one thing, a portable air conditioner removes humidity from the air. A swamp cooler actually adds humidity to the air. When using a portable air conditioner, it is best to be in a closed environment. These units recirculate the same air over and over again and have superior cooling capacities. Swamp coolers need a constant supply of air, and can only provide an incremental cooling effect. Whether you choose a swamp cooler or portable air conditioner will depend on a few key factors: the area in which you live, your cooling needs, and energy costs.

It is ideal to use a portable air conditioner when you can't use a window or wall air conditioner or when you need to supplement existing central air conditioners. Some apartment complexes do not allow window units or a home may have a window that isn't appropriate for permanently installed window air conditioning units. Portable air conditioners are great in those situations as well. These units do not need to be permanently installed. Most portable air conditioners have casters so that they can be moved to whatever room in your home is in the most need of cooling. An exhaust hose does run from the unit to the outside, so you will need a window nearby.

Swamp coolers (or evaporative coolers) are simple devices that use the evaporation of water in the air. This method of cooling has been used throughout history to beat the heat. A box-like frame containing a fan that is walled in by moistened pads is what comprises a swamp cooler. The hot air from your room is taken in, sent through the moist pads, and cooled up to twenty degrees. This is a lot like when you splash your face with water on a hot day. Once the heat from the air evaporates the water on your skin, a sensation of coolness is created.

Portable air conditioners are great because they can be moved from room to room. They are also excellent supplements to central air conditioning and help dehumidify the air. They do need to be vented to work properly. Swamp coolers are compact and portable and use a lot less energy than an air conditioner. They are cost effective in terms of purchasing, installing, and maintaining. They also add moisture to the air and prevent furniture and fabrics from becoming too dry. They are only to be used in dry, hot climates. If there is high humidity, the unit will not perform properly and perhaps make you more uncomfortable because of the added humidity. You must also keep adding water to these units for it to create a cooling effect.

Portable air conditioners and swamp coolers are effective alternatives to central air conditioning, but you must be sure to choose the correct solution for your application.

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The NewAir AW-280E Thermoelectric Wine Cooler Review: The Health Benefits of Wine

The French paradox: sounds like a term referring to the grammar in French language but that is not what it is. It actually is the observation that even though the French consume a diet rich in saturated fats, they have a low incidence of heart disease. It is proposed that red wine decreases the incidence of cardiac diseases. According to studies, people who drink wine moderately have a lower risk of heart disease. Red wine has more benefits than white wine. This may be because red wine contains more polypenols that white wine. Polyphenols are found in grape skins. When red wine is made, the skins are left soaking, which turns the wine red. This does not occur when making white wine.

Resveratrol, a chemical found in red wine, is also thought to have cardioprotective and chemoprotective effects. Researchers found that a low dose of resveratrol has effects that are similar to caloric restriction. Caloric restriction is a diet with 20-30 percent fewer calories than a typical diet.

A study that took place in 2007 found that red and white wine is able to guard against strains of Streptococcus. Streptococcus is the bacterium that causes strep throat. In some parts of the world, wine is used to treat wounds.

You may not get these benefits from the wine you drink if you aren't storing it correctly. You may think that the proper storage of wine entails spending thousands of dollars on a wine cellar. This isn't true if you do not need to store your wine for longer than a year. The NewAir AW-280E Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is an inexpensive way to store your wine. It has a twenty eight bottle capacity so you are ready for any occasion, whether it is an intimate dinner for two or a wine tasting party.

The ideal temperature range to store wine in is around 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. To help you keep your wine in these optimal conditions, the NewAir AW-280E has digital temperature controls. You can set the wine cooler to a certain temperature and rest assured that the temperature will not fluctuate. This is important because rises in temperature force the wine through the cork and drops cause air to be sucked back in. The greater the changes in temperature, the greater the premature aging of the wine from overbreathing.

For your convenience, there is a touch screen and a LED light on the display. This means you can keep the wine cooler in a darker place and still be able to see what setting the temperature is at. Also, there is an LED light inside so that you can carefully select the perfect wine for your occasion. The sleek black cabinet and chrome racks add a touch of sophistication that will add to the ambiance of any home.

Vibration can also cause the premature aging of your wine. Thankfully, the NewAir AW-280E uses thermoelectric technology which means it runs silently and vibration free.

You're free to enjoy all of the health benefits of your wine when it is stored correctly with the NewAir AW-280E Thermoelectric Wine Cooler.

Portable Cooling Guide: Portable Cooling Applications for a Cool Summer

When the weather starts heat up, people start scrambling to cool down. A portable cooling appliance may be the solution for you. There are two ways these portable cooling solutions provide you comfort. One way is that they drop the temperature. The other way is the use of water. A portable air conditioner uses refrigerant to carry and discharge heat. An evaporative (or swamp) cooler uses water to relocate heat.

People choose to use portable cooling appliances because they can be used in a variety of situations. They are ideal for cost effective spot cooling. You can also use them to supplement your central air conditioning. A lot of people either do not have the expertise, or cannot afford to hire a technician to install a permanent cooling solution. Portable air conditioners and evaporative coolers do not need to be permanently installed and usually come with easy installation instructions. Bulky window air conditioners are also popular, but they may not mesh well with the decor in your home. A portable air conditioner is a good alternative. You may also need to turn to a portable solution because of inadequate main systems or for after hours additional cooling.

Two of the main applications for portable cooling solutions are:

Homes

A home is where families go to relax. The headache of installing a central air conditioner or some other permanent cooling solution is not very relaxing. Portable air conditioners and evaporative coolers can be moved to whichever room you need them in. They do not require permanent installation and come with easy directions for installing that leave you headache-free. People considering window air conditioners may run into problems because their windows are oddly shaped. Portable air conditioners do not require placement inside your window frame and should be able to work with most window shapes.

You should keep in mind that because portable air conditioners cool air by removing moisture, they are better suited for humid environments. Some units will offer more advanced features such as built-in thermostats and auto-evaporative technology. This cuts down on maintenance substantially. For arid climates and evaporative cooler is ideal. They are cost effective and add moisture to the environment. They are rated by the cubic feet per minute of chilled air they deliver. These do require a bit more maintenance than portable air conditioners, like regular cleanings and steady water supply.

Computer Server Rooms

Lots of companies have computer server rooms. They are the rooms that house computer servers with mass amounts of company data so they are vital to the daily operations of these companies. It is important to control the temperature in these rooms because additional heat is generated by this computer equipment. When this equipment is operated at a high temperature for extended amounts of time, hardware malfunction and even system failure can result. Installing an air conditioner in the server room can lessen systems shutdowns and component failures.

Picking the correct air conditioner for a computer server room is crucial. Some air conditioners have automatic shut off features that can leave the server rooms sweltering during the nights and weekends. Additionally, some server rooms do not have easy window access and may be located in an interior room which means keeping the equipment cool is a difficult task. A portable air conditioner may be the correct solution. Just be sure that the unit you choose has an automatic restart function. This function keeps the unit running even if there is a power failure. You should not use an evaporative cooler to do this job. The moisture added to the air will damage the machinery.

Some additional applications are industrial areas, healthcare facilities, offices and schools, and outdoor areas and events. In these warm months, portable air conditioners and swamp coolers can be a comfort in a variety of situations. These portable cooling solutions may pave the path toward a cool, cool summer.

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NewAir AW-180E Thermoelectric Wine Cooler Product Review: Tips on Preserving Wine

Keeping a bottle of wine at the proper temperature is imperative if you want to enjoy the true aroma. If kept too cool a temperature, the flavor will be lost. If kept too warm, the aging process will be sped up.

The NewAir AW-180E Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is an expensive way to keep your wine properly chilled. This wine cooler has an eighteen bottle capacity. This means it is now easy to have a wine tasting in your home. The digital controls on the front panel make it incredibly easy to use. Also adding to the ease of use is the LED light and touch screen. The LED on the display makes the controls stand out again the panel they are on. Your every command is answered immediately once you press the intuitive touch screen.

The NewAir 180E also has an internal LED light that allows you to see exactly what bottle you are pulling out. Because of the thermoelectric technology, there are not very many moving parts. The operation is silent and vibration free. You will not disturb anybody with the operation of this unit. The racks inside of this sophisticated cooler are chrome plated for a high quality finish.

Wine is important to many cultures around the world. It has been around for thousands of years. The Greeks and the Romans even had gods delegated to the celebration of wine culture. Here are some tips on how to make your wine last as long as possible:

Avoid Light

-You should avoid storing all wines where there is light.
-Especially avoid direct sunlight and fluorescent fixtures which make the wine maderize or lose flavor.
-If you cannot keep wine out of the light, wrap it in a cloth or put it in a box with a lid.

Store Wine on its Side

-If a corked wine is stored upright for a long time, the cork will dry out and give air access to the wine, which spoils it.
-Wine should be store label side up because it is easier to see sediments that may have formed over time. It is also easier to see which wine you are selecting.

Wine Temperature

-Wine should be stored at a temperature below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. At 75 degrees, wine begins to oxidize.
-The temperature in a wine storage area should be as steady as possible. Rises in temperature force wine through the cork. Drops in temperature cause air to be sucked into the bottle. The greater the temperature changes, the greater the premature aging of wine from over breathing.

Portable Cooling Guide: Top Five Portable Cooling Mistakes

The summer is turning out to be a hot one. People often turn to portable air conditioners and swamp coolers to help them cool their environments. These appliances are good solutions because they are compact and mobile. They are a great alternative to wall or window air conditioners because they do not have to be permanently installed. They also work great as supplemental cooling to central air conditioners.

If you choose the wrong air conditioner or swamp cooler you could end up melting in the heat anyway. To help you choose wisely, here are the top five mistakes consumers make when choosing a portable cooling unit:

1. Not Considering Environment

-Some people may think that portable air conditioners and swamp coolers are interchangeable. They are not. Although they both lower the temperature of the air, they use totally different cooling methods and are suited for different environments.
- Portable air conditioners extract hot air that must be vented. They function as dehumidifiers and are great for areas with moderate humidity levels.
-Swamp coolers blow water-cooled air throughout an area or room. They work best in dry climates like Southwestern states.

2. Miscalculating BTUs and Room Size

- Choosing the correct amount of BTUs is very important. BTUs describe the power and cooling capacity of a cooler.
-How many BTUs you need depends on the area being cooled. The greater the BTU value, the stronger the air conditioner. If there is a higher BTU value than the required room size, the unit will cycle off too quickly and will not properly remove humidity. If there is a lower BTU value than the required room size, the unit will not properly remove humidity.
-You should keep the dimensions of the room in mind and where it is going to be located. Sunny areas will need an additional 10 percent in BTUs. Shaded areas need 10 percent less BTUs. Kitchens need an additional 4,000 BTUs.

3. Energy Efficiency Ratio

-The EER measures how efficiently a cooling system operates when the temperature is at a certain level (usually 95 degree Fahrenheit).
-EER is the ratio of BTUs to the amount of power consumed in watts.
-People buy oversized units and ignore EERS which is a big mistake. Choosing a high EER can help you save a considerable amount of money on your electric bill.

4. Not Venting A Portable Air Conditioner

-Portable air conditioners need to be vented through a window, wall or drop ceiling.
-Venting is necessary to exhaust hot air from indoors to outdoors.
-Venting kits usually come with portable air conditioners. They are complete with a hose so that venting is simple and effective.

5. Insufficient Electrical Power

-You will need enough electrical power available to prevent breaking a fuse.
-You should pay attention to the type of plug an air conditioner or swamp cooler uses. It may also require a dedicated unit.
-Larger air conditioners and swamp coolers may require a 230/280 volt circuit which is not common in standard households. You may require assistance from an electrician.

For more tips on choosing portable cooling units click here!

The NewAir ADS-400 Dehumidifier Product Review: Prevent Possible Health Risks

The NewAir ADS-400 is a small dehumidifier that helps you get rid of excess moisture in your home. This helps create a more comfortable environment in your home. It also helps you protect your furniture and electronic devices from water damage. It works best in small areas like bathrooms, closets or under-sink areas. The capacity for dehumidifying is 12 ounces per day at 86 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent relative humidity. The NewAir ADS-400 holds up to 32 ounces of water in its removable water tank so you do not have to empty it very often. It also has a yellow indicator LED light that alerts you when the water tank is full. So you do not have to worry about the water tank overflowing, the dehumidifier also has a automatic shut off feature that shuts the unit off when the tank is full.

This dehumidifier does not use chemical substances to absorb the moisture. It uses a thermo-electric Peltier motor as its cooling element. This technology eliminates the need to use a compressor. This means your dehumidifier is much lighter and very quiet. It is also much more environmentally friendly because of the Peltier technology. It uses a very low amount of energy (only 36 watts of power consumption). You can even use this dehumidifier to remove moisture from your car or truck. It comes complete with a car kit and a 12 volt adaptor.

One of the reasons to use a dehumidifier is to prevent mold from invading your home. Mold can cause a variety of health problems for you and your family. You might come in contact with mold by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation. Some health risks resulting from this exposure are allergic reactions, irritation and invasive disease.

When you have an allergic reaction it means the mold has cause an immune response in your body. You might have symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and throat irritation. You can even develop more chronic conditions such as sinusitis and asthma.

When fungi degrade substances to obtain nutrition, they produce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). If you are exposed to high levels of these VOCs, your mucous membrane may become irritated. This can lead to headaches, decreased attention span, difficulty in concentration and dizziness.

A less common health risk associated with mold is invasive disease. Invasive disease does not affect healthy individuals. It is an opportunistic infection that affects people with abnormally functioning immune systems. An example of the kind of person this might affect is an individual with HIV/AIDS or someone who is receiving immunosuppressive drugs such as transplant or chemotherapy patients.

To prevent any of these health risks from affecting you or your family, consider using a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture from your home. It could prevent a lot of discomfort or possibly a serious infection in the future.

The NewAir ADS-300 Mini Dehumidifier Product Review: Preventing Mold in Common Areas

The NewAir ADS-300 Mini Dehumidifier uses a thermo-electric peltier motor to remove excess moisture from small places like under the counter, bathrooms and closets. This technology makes it lighter and quieter. In fact, it only weighs two pounds and operates almost completely silently. You should utilize this dehumidifier in small rooms where poor ventilation results in musty odors or fungus growth. This dehumidifier helps you get rid of odors and prevent fungus growth for good.

The NewAir ADS-300 Mini Dehumidifier comes with a car kit adapter. This means you can rid your car or truck of excess moisture as well. It has an automatic shut off switch. When the water reservoir is full the dehumidifier automatically turns off so that the tank does not overflow. When the reservoir is full a yellow full indicator light will also alert you so you can empty it as needed. The tank holds up to 16 ounces of water.

If you suspect mold in your home, here are some common places to look for it:

Basements/Crawl Spaces

This level of your home has the most chance out of any level in your home of fostering mold growth. The thing to look for here is any sign of dampness. You should also look for black mold growth that may be taking place in wooden building materials. It is very important to look for black mold in the framing because this is the easiest way mold spreads to other parts of your home. You especially do not want mold to spread to the framing because your beams can be weakened as well as bearing walls that are crucial to the stability of the structure.

Rooms/Areas with High Relative Humidity

One way the likelihood of a mold problem will increase is when the relative humidity of a room or area is above 55%. You should be sure to monitor areas with high humidity levels on a regular basis. To measure the relative humidity of a room or area you will need a relative humidity sensor. These can also be called a moisture meter or a hygrometer.

Inside Wall Cavities

Walls are where warm air meets cooler air. This is especially true concerning the walls around the perimeter of homes and buildings. Wall cavities are, unfortunately, good at trapping moisture. Pipes inside your walls can leak without you being aware. Mold inside your walls eventually works its way to the outside of the walls. It will be visible, you will smell a musty odor and/or you will have respiratory health effects. You should remove drywall anywhere you suspect mold and then clean and remove mold.