| Swamp Cooler Overview
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Portable Swamp Coolers
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Commercial Swamp Coolers
Swamp Coolers, or otherwise known as evaporative
coolers, are effective and efficient devices used for cooling. As a
direct replacement for traditional air conditioning units in arid
climates, swamp coolers use the process of evaporation to lower the
temperature in a room or area, thus making them extremely
energy-efficient. Here is a general overview of how a swamp cooler
works and the benefits one has to offer.
| What is a
swamp cooler and how is it different from an air
conditioner? |
"Swamp cooler," "evaporative cooler," and "air cooler"
are just some of the many names associated with this simple
appliance, but don't get them confused with an air
conditioner. Air conditioners (including
portable ACs) produce a cooling effect by utilize the
refrigeration cycle and a coolant such as Freon. The unit's
components are usually housed in a box-like frame that
includes both the hot and cold sides of the air conditioner,
and an exhaust hose expels the air. However, swamp coolers
work quiete differently. Both swamp coolers and air
conditioners are aimed at providing cooling, but swamp
coolers are definitely a low technology alternative because
they use evaporative technology to cool the air. Therefore,
swamp coolers add humidity to the air while air conditioners
remove it. Refrigerants aren't used, and while air
conditioners operate best in a closed environment, swamp
coolers provide a constant supply of fresh air. Furthermore,
unlike standard refrigerating cooling which requires an
enclosed space, a swamp cooler needs adequate airflow and
ventilation in order to expel warm air and to achieve
effective cooling.
During the scorching hot summers of the 1920s, people
residing in the American Southwest would rest on screened-in
"sleeping porches" which had water-soaked sheets or blankets
hung on the outside and with electric fans pulling in this
hot air through the moist clothes. Cooling comfort was the
result, and this became the precursor to the modern swamp
cooler.
Although modern swamp coolers are more sophisticated
nowadays, they still use the same basic technology as noted
above, and if you live in a hot, dry area, a swamp cooler
can be one of the most effective and affordable means to
beat the heat. In optimal weather conditioners, a swamp
cooler has the ability to reduce the ambient temperature by
up to 20° F. Moreover, a swamp cooler can be many times more
cost-effective to use when compared to standard refrigerated
cooling. |
|
How Does a Swamp Cooler Work? |
Swamp coolers are simple, low-technology devices because
they cool with evaporation, and at one point or another,
we've all experienced evaporative cooling. In fact, the
principle can be akin to wearing a wet t-shirt and standing
in front of a fan. Assuming the climate is dry and the
humidity levels are low, a cooling (and sometimes even
chilling) effect will be felt instantaneously. However, on
the other hand, in areas with high-humidity, this will only
result in a feeling of dampness on the skin and in the air.
Swamp Cooler Buying Tip |
| Always remember that
swamp coolers work best in arid climates; in
other words, in temperatures above 80° F and
with humidity levels below 30%. |
In terms of design, swamp coolers can either include casters
for portability, can be mounted on a building's roof, or
even be placed on the exterior walls or windows of a
building. In terms of technology, for the most part, two
types of swamp coolers exist: direct and indirect. Direct
swamp coolers are more common, and these work by lowering
the ambient temperature by changing water to vapor, and then
transforming warm, dry air to cool, moist air. On the other
hand, indirect swamp coolers will utilize some sort of heat
exchanger. Again, swamp coolers used in residential settings
tend to use direct evaporation in an enclosed box with
vented sides and a centrifugal fan, as well as an electric
pump and cooling pads. The cooling pads can be constructed
of materials such as excelsior, plastic, or melamine paper,
and its thickness is integral in a swamp cooler's cooling
efficiency. The pump then circulates water to keep these
pads wet and the fan blows air through the pad. As a result,
the damper and cooler air is blown into the house while the
hotter air is driven outside via windows or vents.
In addition to being cost-effective and reliable, swamp
coolers are also versatile. Portable swamp coolers are
perfect for home or office use, while industrial-sized swamp
coolers such as those manufactured by Port-A-Cool are ideal
for commercial applications such as garages, warehouses, and
agricultural areas. Also, because swamp coolers use very
little electric electricity and have large-capacity water
tanks, they are suitable for outdoor settings such as
stadiums, athletic fields, and concerts. |
| What will a
swamp cooler require? |
Swamp coolers have a few requirements: sufficient space
for the unit, an electrical outlet, water to cool the
cooling media, and adequate airflow and ventilation. |
| Top Five
Reasons to Purchase a Swamp Cooler |
1. Energy-Efficient - Swamp coolers use
substantially less electricity when compared to an air
conditioner with the same cooling capacity (up to ? that of
refrigerated air).
2. Cleans the Air - The moist pads in a swamp cooler also
act as air filters and keep dust and particles out of a
house while also providing a constant source of fresh air.
3. Versatile - As long as humidity levels are low enough,
swamp coolers can be used in a variety of settings such as
homes, garages, and athletic stadiums.
4. Humidifies the Air - In addition to providing cooling
comfort, swamp coolers add moisture to the air and keeps
furniture and fabrics from drying out.
5. Inexpensive - Because they use simple technology, swamp
coolers are cheaper to buy, maintain, and install than most
air conditioners.
|
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