Five Ways to Use Swamp Coolers Efficiently

Swamp coolers are great for people who live in hot, arid climates. They can produce effective cooling but also cost less to operate than a standard air conditioner. They use the natural process of water evaporation within a simple air-moving system. The trouble is, many people don't optimize the performance of their evaporative cooler by following these five simple steps:

1. Install Your Swamp Cooler Correctly


There are different types of swamp coolers and they are installed in different ways. Larger swamp coolers are more complex to install, especially if it is designed to cool an entire home. It will probably need to be mounted in an external wall with access to moving air. Portable swamp coolers are simpler to install. They just need to be plugged in, filled up and switched on. As long as the water tank remains full, the swamp cooler should be working to cool the air to the desired temperature.

2. Open a Window


Evaporative coolers create moisture to cool. If that moisture builds up in your home, the swamp cooler will be less effective. For sufficient cooling to take place, the air forced into a room or home needs an exit path in the form of an open door or window. The general rule is a two square foot opening per 1000 CFM the evaporative cooler provides.

3. Wait for the Right Conditions


Swamp coolers actually perform better when it is warmer. There needs to be a significant difference in temperature between the cooling pads, the water and the air. The humidity in the air should be less than 50 percent for the swamp cooler to work best as well. Be sure to note that evaporative coolers can only reduce the air temperature throughout a room by 10 to 20 degrees and should be used primarily for personal cooling.

4. Clean the Filters


The water filter clears any impurities in water for maximum evaporation. Also, the moist pads within the swamp cooler double as air filters so that the cool outside air is blown into the house and the hot air is pushed out along with odors, pollution and smoke. Swamp coolers also exchange stale air for fresh air every one to three minutes. One swamp cooler on the market, the New Air AF-330, even has a HEPA filter. This is very beneficial for allergy and asthma sufferers.

5. Maintain Your Cooler


Be sure to clean all of the components of your swamp cooler and make sure they are all working properly. If at all possible, do this before an expected heat wave. A larger window or roof mounted swamp coolers will probably require tools for maintenance. Portable swamp coolers are simpler. As long as the water and filters are replaced often and the cooler is cleaned regularly, the maintenance needs of your portable swamp cooler are met.

So, you need to install, ventilate, use when the conditions are right, clean and maintain your swamp cooler for optimal performance. Following these five steps will ensure that you stay cool as the temperatures rise.