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.

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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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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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!

NewAir AF-321 Swamp Cooler Product Review: Five Reasons to Purchase

1. Cost Effective: Swamp coolers in general are extremely cost effective. The estimated cost is 1/4 that of refrigerated air. The power consumption is limited to the fan and water pump as opposed to a compressor, pump and blower of an air conditioner. The NewAir AF-321 Swamp Cooler runs on only 85 watts of power. That is the same amount of power as a light bulb. It also does not use a water pump, but just a small motor to rotate the cooling pad. This means it uses less power than swamp coolers with water pumps and is quieter as well.

2. Cheap to Install: Swamp coolers only cost 1/8 to 1/2 the price it costs to install a traditional air conditioner. The NewAir AF-321 Swamp Cooler does not need to be installed at all. It is completely portable. It has large rolling casters so that it can be easily moved from room to room. To operate it, all you need to do is fill it with water and/or ice and turn it on. Opening windows while the unit is operating will also be beneficial.

3. Improve Air Quality: To work well, swamp coolers need adequate ventilation. This means that a constant and high volume of air will be going through the building, which greatly reduces the age of air. The NewAir AF-321 has a three speed fan and oscillating louvers so that the cool air is evenly distributed. It also has a built-in ionizer for particulates and a carbon filter that absorbs odors.

4. Acts Like a Humidifier: Swamp coolers cool your environment using the power of evaporation, so they add moisture to the air. This may make you feel more comfortable. It also keeps wood furniture and fabrics from warping and drying out. The NewAir AF-321 has specially designed cooling pads that retain more water than other units in its class. These pads also never have to be replaced. A thirteen liter tank means more cooling and humidifying between tank refills. You can also add ice, if you require enhanced cooling, to the four liter ice tank.

5. Versatility: Swamp coolers are able to be used in a lot of environments such as homes, offices, and industrial areas as long as the climate is dry. For a swamp cooler to really be effective the temperature should be hot and the air should be dry. If there is humidity in the air, the swamp cooler will just be adding more, which can make you uncomfortable and not cooler. The NewAir AF-321 cools spaces up to 200 square feet. It also has a modern design that will fit almost any decor. It is also incredibly easy to use because it has electronic controls and also includes a remote control.

The NewAir AF-350 Swamp Cooler: Product Review and Tips

Evaporative coolers or swamp coolers are a great way to keep cool and are less expensive than air conditioners.

A great swamp cooler is the NewAir AF-350 Swamp Cooler. It has a very powerful motor that runs on 200W of cooling power. The cooling pad has an improved design that is capable of retaining a greater amount of water. This means more cooling in a shorter amount of time.

The NewAir AF-350 has an extra large, 20 liter tank so that you will not have to fill it up as often as a swamp cooler with a smaller tank. It only weighs twenty two pounds so that you can easily maneuver it around your home. The rolling casters and a carrying handle also add an extra layer of maneuverability.

There are also electric controls and a remote control included with the NewAir AF-350. There are three selection speeds and a built-in ionizer for particulates. A carbon filter helps with any odors that might be permeating your home. There is also an optional TiO2 filter for even more filtration.

A timer and a power cord rewind are features that make the AF-350 even easier to use. You might need some tips to make sure you are using your swamp cooler to the best of its ability. Five ways to make the most of using your swamp cooler are:

1. Make sure that a window is open while the swamp cooler is in use. If you do not, the moisture in your home will build up and your swamp cooler will work less effectively. Swamp coolers use humidity to cool so if there is too much present in the air already, the temperature will not change.

2. Wait until it is 85 degrees or warmer to operate the swamp cooler if possible. These units operate better when it is warmer. The temperatures of the cooling pads, the water and the air need to be significantly different.

3. Maintain your unit. Makes sure everything is clean, especially your filter. When filter is clogged, impurities can get through and evaporation might slow or even stop. It is especially important to perform maintenance on your swamp cooler before a heat wave.

4. Search for a cooler that is energy efficient and uses a low amount of water.

5. Do not operate an air conditioner and a swamp cooler at the same time. If you need to use both use the swamp cooler first to cool the air down and add humidity. Then use the air conditioner to maintain the temperature.

The NewAir AF-315 Swamp Cooler: Eliminate the Dryness!

Air conditioning seems like a miracle when the sun is beating down outside. It creates a pleasant atmosphere, but it can also have negative effects on your health. Air conditioned air is usually very dry. This dry air can irritate the delicate lining of your nose and mouth, making them cracked and dry. Your body floods these areas with mucus to prevent them from becoming dry which can make you feel stuffed up among other flu-like symptoms.

Nosebleeds can also result from the damaged inner nose lining caused by air conditioning. Air conditioning can aggravate the effects of arthritis and neuritis and can cause trouble for those with sinus issues.

A good alternative to air conditioning is a swamp cooler. Swamp coolers use the evaporation of water to cool your environment. They add humidity to your environment instead of taking the humidity away like an air conditioner does. This means no cracked and dry noses and lips.

The NewAir AF-315 Swamp Cooler is an inexpensive way to cool down your home. It has multiple filtration methods and a purifying ionizer to keep the air in your environment nice and clean. The ionizer releases anion which is of great importance to air quality. Anion is also good for your health. When anion and oxygen combine, they are very active and much easier to be absorbed by human organs. This promotes human body growth, prevents several diseases and rejuvenates the spirit.

The NewAir AF-315 has convenient access doors for adding water or ice packs. There is an easy-to-read water level indicator on the front of the swamp cooler. This unit is less than one foot wide and has a vertical design so it will fit almost anywhere. It also has a 100 degree oscillating air output vent and can be run in fan-only mode.

There are three settings for the air delivery mode. The normal mode will deliver cool air steadily and continuously. The natural mode has a breeze-like random output. The sleep mode decreases the air output over time to emulate resting body temperature changes. There are also three air speeds (high/medium/low).

There is a washable air filter so you will not have to replace it. The NewAir AF-315 also comes with rolling casters and a 0.5-7.5 hour timer. It plugs into a standard household outlet so that everyone should be able to use it. Keep in mind that swamp coolers are only effective in hot, dry areas. For a comfortable environment, try the NewAir AF-315 Swamp Cooler.

It's Getting Hot(ter) in Here: The NewAir AF-340 Swamp Cooler

Climate change is happening. The World Glacier Monitoring Service reported that glaciers are melting at their fastest rate in the past 5000 years. The summers seem to be getting warmer as well. A NewAir AF-340 Swamp Cooler can help you cool off as the climate changes.

Swamp coolers use the simple process of evaporation to cool you down. They are incredibly cost effective and low tech. When compared to a standard air conditioner they are not only more affordable to purchase, but they are more affordable to maintain as well.

The NewAir AF-340 Swamp Cooler has excellent maneuverability. It is lightweight at only 22 pounds. It is compact, has rolling casters and has a carrying handle. To get the best use out of this swamp cooler, it should be used in an area that is very hot and very dry. If there is humidity in the air, the swamp cooler will simply add more humidity to the air which could cause an uncomfortable situation. If the temperature is not high, the water will not evaporate, which is how the cooler cools you.

A powerful 140W motor is used by the NewAir AF-340. It has three selection speeds for cost efficient cooling. The specially designed cooling pads are capable of holding a greater amount of liquid than other swamp coolers of comparable size. This means a higher cooling efficiency because more water is being evaporated.

For your convenience, an electronic remote control is included with the NewAir AF-340. It has a 20 liter water tank capacity so you will not have to fill it up as often. A built-in ionizer attracts harmful particulates such as dust and dander. To get rid of even more particles floating in the air, an optional TiO2 filter is also included on the swamp cooler.

To get rid of noxious odors, there is a carbon filter. Carbon filters are a piece of active carbon that helps remove contaminants and impurities. Most active carbon is made from coconut shells. Because of the fissures on their surface, they have a very large surface area in a small amount of space. Gases and particles are trapped in these fissures and held there. This is why the carbon filter on the NewAir AF-340 Swamp Cooler is incredibly effective at removing odors.

You should position your swamp cooler in a location that will create a flow through air effect. They should be in a room with two windows open if possible and the cooled air should be directed into the room. These units have a 1-8 hour timer and can be set to a fixed or continuously sweeping airflow.

Some people may think that the panic about rising climates in a bunch of baloney. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The one thing we can all agree on is that summer is generally hot. And when those generally hot temperatures descend upon us, we need something to cool us down. A NewAir AF-340 Swamp Cooler might be the solution to that very problem.

HEPA Filters: Bring in the Cool, Filter Out the Funk!

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter. These particles are considered the hardest to filter and the Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS). Particles larger or smaller than 0.3 micrometers in diameter are actually filtered with higher efficiency.

The original HEPA filters were originally designed in the 1940s. They were used in the Manhattan Project to prevent the spread of airborne radioactive contaminants. They were commercialized in the 1950s. The term HEPA became a registered trademark and generic term for highly efficient filters.

HEPA filters are made of a mat of randomly arranged fibers. The key measurements that affect their function are:

-fiber density
-fiber diameter
-filter thickness

HEPA filters are designed to target small particles by trapping them (the particles stick to the fibers).

There are three different ways HEPA filters trap particles:

1. Interception: particles following a line of flow in the air stream come within one radius of a fiber and stick to it.
2. Impaction: larger particles are not able to avoid fibers by following the curving contours of the air stream and are forced to embed in one of them directly. This method gets better with less fiber separation and increased air flow velocity.
3. Diffusion: this is how HEPAs filtrate particles below 0.1 micrometers in diameter. The particles are impeded and delayed in their path through the filter which increases the chance that the particle will be trapped by interception or impaction.

Vacuum cleaners and air purifiers are probably the most popular appliances that use HEPA filters. You might want to cool down your air as well as get rid of contaminants, though. Enter the NewAir AF-330 Evaporative Cooler. This is the only evaporative cooler with a HEPA filter.

Evaporative coolers draw exterior air into special pads dampened with water. The air is cooled by evaporation and then circulated. This is kind of how our bodies cool down after exercising. We sweat and then the perspiration dries through evaporation and causes our body temperature to drop.

The NewAir AF-330 is a lot less noisy than other evaporative coolers because it uses a motor to rotate its synthetic pad instead of a pump to bring water to the pad. The pad never needs to be replaced either. There is a remote control for your convenience and easy control buttons on the unit itself.

Be sure to note that evaporative coolers should only be used in hot and dry environments. If there is humidity in the air, the evaporative cooler will simply add more humidity. The AF-330 works best when it is very hot and the humidity is below 50%.

HEPA filters can be a huge help to those suffering from allergies or asthma. They really help you protect yourself and your family from allergens, irritants and pollutants. If you need a cooling affect as well, try a NewAir AF-330 Evaporative Cooler. As mentioned before, it is the only evaporative cooler with a HEPA filter.

Evaporative Coolers: What's the Big Idea?

Many people are confused by evaporative coolers. They don't know how exactly they work. They aren't sure why or if they should use evaporative coolers instead of air conditioners. They don't know how simple it all really is.

Evaporative cooling is when the evaporation of liquid, usually into surrounding air, cools an object or a liquid in contact with it. Some examples are:

-Perspiration or sweat, which the body secretes in order to cool itself.

-The mist from a waterfall making people feel cool.

-"Self-refrigerating" beverage can. There is a separate compartment inside the can that contains a desiccant (a substance that induces or sustains a state of dryness) and a cooling liquid. Just before consumption, the drying agent comes into contact with the cooling liquid which induces evaporation.

Most evaporative coolers have a vertical pad of cellulose fiber, a system for delivering water to the top of the pad, and a fan to draw air through the porous pad as the water runs down the medium and is absorbed. The fan draws ambient air through vents on the unit's sides and through damp pads. Heat in the air evaporates water from the pads which are constantly being re-dampened to continue the cooling process. Moist air is delivered to the room through a vent.

The pads inside of evaporative coolers are made of excelsior (wood wool or aspen wood fiber) inside of a containment net, but modern materials, such as some plastics and melanin paper, are entering use as cooler pad media. The wood absorbs some of the water, which allows the wood fibers to cool passing air to a lower temperature than unnatural materials. The thickness of the pads affects the cooling efficiency of the pads. The thicker the pad, the longer the air contact, so an eight inch thick pad with its increased surface area will be more efficient than a one inch pad.

A drop in temperature as a result of using an evaporative cooler depends on how much water the air can absorb. This means that in highly humid climates, evaporative cooling may have little thermal comfort benefit beyond the increased ventilation and air movement it provides. The effectiveness of the evaporative cooler is also affected by how evenly the pad media is wetted, how long the air is exposed to the pad, the evaporability of the water (which depends on its temperature and hardness), and the ability of the building to vent the warmer exhaust air back into the atmosphere.

Evaporative coolers are relatively cheap and require less energy than other forms of cooling for the most part. It might not hurt to give them a try.

Windcatcher: The Predecessor to the Evaporative Cooler

Evaporative coolers are the more environmental counterparts to portable air conditioners. The technology behind them seems really simple. They add moisture to the air to help with cooling. The idea of using moisture to cool has been around for ages. Proof of this is evident in the device called the windcatcher.

Windcatchers were Persian architectural devices used for natural ventilation of buildings. In the country of Iraq, there is a big difference in temperatures from day to night. During the day it can be extremely hot and at night it can be quite cool. Also, the towns were packed closely together with high walls and ceilings. How did they cool their buildings without using power?

The windcatcher is topped with four directional ports. All of the ports would be closed except for the one facing away from the incoming wind. Because of this air is drawn upward. This creates significant cooling ventilation with the structure below the windcatcher. This alone was not enough to bring the temperature down below ambient because it simply draws hot air through any cracks or windows in the structure below.

To get colder temperatures, a few conditions must be in place:

-There had to be very few cracks at the base of the structure below.

-The structure had to be very thick.

-There was a sort of well with water below the structure called a qanat. There was a space between the water and structure to promote evaporative cooling of air.

-The qanat is completely shaded from the sun so it draws the cooler night air. This cool air, that is being even more cooled by evaporation, is drawn through the structure.

If there is no wind and no water, the windcatcher works as a stack effect aggregator of hot air. There is a pressure gradient that makes the less dense hot air travel up and escape out the top of the windcatcher.

The windcatcher was so effective in Persian architecture that is has been used as a refrigeration device for ages. It still can be seen in many countries today. Just like the evaporative coolers of today, the windcatchers were best used in hot and dry conditions. It's amazing what a little evaporation can do.

Surround yourself with a Symphony Evaporative Cooler

Evaporative air coolers are kind of like the hippie cousin of the air conditioner. They're more environmentally friendly, completely natural and they love the fresh air. One of these children of love is the Symphony Surround Evaporative Cooler. This evaporative cooler delivers cool mist air, does not emit harmful CFCs and can be operated with the window open without affecting performance.

The Symphony Surround makes your environment up to 15 degrees cooler but only uses about the same amount of power as a lightbulb. It is compact in size, only 18'' x 11'' x 26''. It is also light weight, weighing in at only twenty-two pounds. For maximum maneuverability, the Symphony Surround also has built-in casters.

For maximum performance, you should use evaporative coolers in hot, dry environment. The way they cool is by adding moisture to the air, so if it is humid already, the cooler will not be that effective. The tank holds 4.25 gallons of water. The cooling pads are made of wood wool. These pads have high water retention capacity and they are long lasting.

Some of the special features that are present on this model are:

-Triple the cooling power because there are cooling pads on three sides of the units.

-The water circulation is adjustable so you can crank it up if it's scorching and turn it down if it's kind of mild.

-If the water isn't needed at all, the Symphony Surround is able to be run in fan only mode.

-There is also a humidity control, a dust filter net and a water level indicator.

-There are three speed settings and a four way air deflection system.

So, if you have a space that is around 150 feet and there is no more than 50% humidity, why not try the Symphony Surround Evaporative Cooler? You'll not only be helping yourself, you'll be helping you wallet and the environment. It's almost a selfless act.

Hot Flashes of Brillance: Manage with Fans and Coolers

HOT FLASH!

If you are a woman, you probably know what they are and when you can expect to get them. Or you are already experiencing them and the heat from your computer screen is almost too much. Do not step away from the computer, though. This article just might enlighten you to some new facts about hot flashes.

A hot flash is a sudden sensation of intense body heat, accompanied by heavy sweating and the reddening of the head, neck, chest or entire body. Your skin temperature will rise but your body temperature might actually drop because of the heat lost through perspiration. You might even feel a chill afterward. If you experience a hot flash at night it is called a "night sweat."

There are three types of people who are commonly affected by hot flashes. They are:

1. An older woman who is about to experience menopause or who has already experienced menopause. It occurs when estrogen levels are declining. In these women it is not a sign of a medical problem. It is a normal response to natural hormone changes in the body. The hot flashes usually subside after the first or second year following menopause because the estrogen levels stabilize at a low level.

2. A younger woman who is menstruating or expecting to menstruate soon. These don't usually last very long, sometimes they are even as short as a minute. If these occur at another time in a younger woman's menstrual cycle, then it might be a symptom of a problem with the pituitary gland.

3. Men who experience a substantial drop in testosterone levels can experience hot flashes. They would experience this drop in hormone levels:

- after the surgical removal of testes.

- when taking medications to decrease testosterone levels for treatment of prostate cancer.

- if they have a tumor on hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

- if they have an infection like tuberculosis or HIV.

- if they are having a reaction to MSG.

- if they are having a reaction to medications like nifedipine, niacin or calcitonin.

Hot flashes in men should be evaluated by a doctor. The doctor will try to determine the cause and how to treat the cause or the flashes themselves.

One main way hot flashes are treated in women is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT may relieve symptoms, but can also cause an increase in the risk of breast cancer, stroke and dementia. The US FDA and women's health advocates recommend trying alternatives to hormonal therapies as a first line of treatment.

There are three main ways to manage hot flashes without resorting to HRT.

1. Avoid smoking and eat and drink well. This includes:

-limiting alcohol.

-drinking cold beverages rather than hot ones.

-eating smaller meals because larger meals generate more heat when they are digested.

-eating low fat, high fiber foods.

-not smoking.

2. Stay cool. This includes:

-keeping your environment cool by using a fan, an evaporative cooler or an air conditioner.

-dressing in layers so that you can remove clothing to keep cool.

-sleeping with fewer blankets.

3. Reduce stress. This includes:

-Regularly exercising.

-Use of relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga and biofeedback.

Be Cooler...Evaporative Cooler

It used to be that people who cared about the environment were looked down upon. People called them derogatory names like tree hugger, eagle freaks and greenies. Nowadays, it's considered a smart thing to care about the world we all share and the air we all breathe. We also care about keeping cool on a warm day. How do we merge these two? Evaporative coolers.

Evaporative Coolers like the NewAir AF-330 Evaporative HEPA Swamp Cooler are coolers that use the cooling effect of water evaporation to lower air temperature. Think about when you've just exerted your body by playing a sport or running to catch some sort of public transportation. You feel hot, sweaty and out of breath. Once your sweat evaporates, you feel cooler though. That is the idea behind evaporative cooling.

Evaporative coolers use 75% less energy than air conditioners. That's not the only way they are good for the environment though. They don't use refrigerants like freon. Freon destroys the ozone layer. They also curb noise pollution by using a blower instead of an axial fan like an air conditioner.

Some people would think that with less energy and without freon, evaporative coolers aren't that powerful, but they can cool up to 350 square feet. They also help maintain the durability and lifespan of furniture by keeping furniture and fabric moisturized. Evaporative coolers also channel fresh air into the area they are cooling. As well as the hot air in the area being pushed out by the cool air through evaporation, bad odor, dust and smoke are also eliminated. Air circulation occurs every two to three minutes giving you a continuous supply of fresh air. The risk of bacteria being trapped in the air is also reduced. The moisture pad also acts as a filter which helps trap dust.

Evaporative coolers are also easy to take care of. They have refillable water tanks. Each refill should last up to ten hours. Sometimes they can have a hose connection which will continuously supply fresh water to the cooler. The filters in evaporative coolers can often be removed and rinsed.

It's finally easy being green.

Ceiling Fans, Portable Air Conditioners and Evaporative Coolers: Ways to Keep A Cool Head

When you come home after a long day of work, school, or running errands you want to enter a comfortable environment. If you can fry an egg on the sidewalk outside your home, you do not want the same to be true of your hardwood floors. There are lots of things you can do to make your home much cooler when it's a boiler outside.

1. You can close your windows, doors, draperies and blinds before the sun has a chance to warm your home. You can open them when the sun goes down in the evening. This makes the inside of your home cooler than the outside.

2. You can provide shade around your home by planting trees and having awnings over your windows. You should also have shade over any air conditioning units that are outside like the WindChaser WC161 16'' Electric Misting Fan.

3. If your home is dry, you can use a humidifier to increase the humidity which can make your home a few degrees cooler.

4. You can open opposite end windows to cross ventilate your home. This allows the air to move around your home more.

5. You can cool down your body with a swim or shower before bed. This might make it easier for you to fall asleep.

6. You can also use specific cooling appliances to make your home feel cooler when the heat is on outside. Some of them are:

-Ceiling Fans- You can purchase these fans with or without a light fixture so they can be apart of your lighting and decorative needs as well as your cooling needs like the Air King 9800L Ceiling Fan with Schoolhouse Light Kit. Ceiling fans are nice because they have cooling potential during the warm season and they also can circulate warm air during the cool season.

-Evaporative Coolers- These coolers use the air humidity principle to reduce the temperature of your home like the Symphony Surround Portable Evaporative Cooler .The units draw air through their vents. passes the air through damp pads, and then out into the rest of the home. These units are usually less expensive than portable air conditioners but should only be used in very hot and dry areas.

-Portable Air Conditioners- These cooling units do not require breaking into a wall or reconfiguring a window like wall and window air conditioners. They do need a window nearby to put their flexible hoses through to vent the warm air out of the home. Some portable air conditioners are multitasked and provide heat and other air quality features as well as cooling like the New Air 1000H Portable Air Conditioner and Heater. These units are especially suited for apartments and rental homes.