Swamp Cooler Features

Heating and cooling costs can account for 40 percent of your annual energy bill, and in warm climates, even a highly efficient air conditioner can costs hundreds of dollars per season to operate. For those living in arid climates, a swamp cooler can serve as a great alternative to traditional air conditioning systems, as they use the natural process of evaporation combined with an air-moving system to produce a cooling effect.

In a swamp cooler, air from the outside is pulled through water-soaked pads where they are cooled by evaporation and circulated within a room or building via a large fan. Also, swamp coolers are extremely energy efficient, as they use less than one third the amount of electricity of air conditioners, and cost less to both purchase and install.

One of the most important features to look for when purchasing a swamp cooler is the unit's CFM rating because this will determine the swamp cooler's cooling efficiency. In addition, there are a few other features to consider, such as the capacity of the water tank and water consumption amounts. Here are some features that will be important in making a swamp cooler purchase:

CFM Ratings

In order for a swamp cooler to effectively cool, it must be the proper size. Swamp coolers are rated by cubic feet per minute (CFM's), and most models will have CFM ratings ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 CFM. Unlike portable air conditioners which require specific BTU ranges in order for the unit to cool properly, there is no harm in purchasing a swamp cooler that slightly exceeds your cooling needs. Therefore, whether you are looking to cool a small room or home, a simple formula is all that is required to determine the CFM rating for a proper-sized cooler - take the cubic feet of the space you wish to cool and divide that number by two. For example, if have a 1,800 square foot home with 9 foot high ceilings, you would calculate your CFM requirements like so:

Direct vs. Indirect Systems

There are two different types of swamp coolers: direct and indirect. In a direct swamp cooler, a blower forces air through a water soaked-pad, where it is then cooled, filtered, and humidified. Direct systems are usually the most popular and inexpensive. On the other hand, indirect swamp coolers have a secondary heat exchanger which prevents humidity from being added to the air. Because these systems do not add moisture to the air supplied to the home, this lowers their cooling capacity. Portable and industrial swamp coolers (including portable swamp coolers) most commonly use direct systems.

Water Consumption and Tank Capacity

Swamp coolers add moisture to the air, and this is often appreciated in especially dry climates. However, because swamp coolers require water to keep the cooling pads wet, a swamp cooler can use anywhere from 3 to 15 gallons of water per day, depending on the size of the swamp cooler and the ambient temperature. If you live in an area where there is a drought, pay close attention to the amount of water the swamp cooler consumes. Because swamp coolers require a constant supply of water to wet the pads, the tank will need to be refilled as needed, so the unit's water tank capacity should also be considered.

Ice Tanks

In addition to water tanks, some swamp coolers also utilize ice trays or even ice packs for additional cooling capabilities. 

Variable Speed Options

Look for swamp coolers with at least two speeds and a fan option. Variable speeds allow you to control the cooling efficiency of the unit and if a swamp cooler has a fan option, the water pump does not operate and outside air is not humidified - allowing you to use the cooler as a whole-house fan.

Efficient Fan Motors

Swamp coolers use a fraction of the electricity of air conditioners (almost one-third less). Portable units usually only cost pennies a day to run and use standard household outlets. Nevertheless, a swamp cooler's fan still uses electricity, and it is wise to find a model that is the most energy efficient.

Filters

Swamp coolers cool outside air, blow it into a house, and push out hot air, as well as any odors, pollution, or smoke that may be present. These appliances also allow for a fresh air change every one to three minutes, and the moist pads within the swamp cooler also double as air filters. However, some swamp coolers, such as the NewAir AF-330 also include built-in air purifiers, complete with HEPA filters, ionizers, and activated carbon - something to consider if you're an asthma or allergy sufferer, or have pets in the home.

Installation Requirements

Large swamp coolers can be somewhat complex to install, particularly if the model is designed to cool the air throughout an entire home, as the unit will need to be mounted on an external wall with access to moving air. However, installing a portable swamp cooler is much easier, as they only need to be exhausted though a window or door, plugged in, and switched on. Also, as long as the water tanks are constantly filled to capacity, they will work to cool a room or area to its desired temperature.

See Swamp Coolers

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