Should You Buy an Evaporative Air Cooler?
Evaporative coolers are a popular alternative to traditional AC. These cooling devices work well in dry, arid climates and require zero installation.
However, not all evaporative coolers are created equal. Consider the following features before buying one. For example, look for one with a GFCI plug for safety, an easy-to-fill water tank plus a continuous fill option, and a fan that moves air in multiple directions.
Cooling Capacity
Evaporative cooling uses the principle of water evaporation to cool the air. The air is passed through a media such as wood wool pads or rigid media, which is saturated with water. When the saturated media is blown across by the fan, it causes a fine mist of water molecules to evaporate into the air, dropping the temperature and reducing humidity.
Cooling capacity depends on environmental conditions, and evaporative coolers are more effective in hot and dry climates than in humid ones. The cooling capacity also depends on the dewpoint, the point at which moisture in the air reaches saturation and begins to drop off.
Evaporative air coolers cannot lower the air temperature as much as refrigerated air conditioning can, because they do not dehumidify. This lack of dehumidification can cause issues for people who suffer from sinus problems or itchy eyes, because the dry air prevents the body from absorbing and fighting viruses that would normally be inhaled.
It is important to choose a correctly-sized evaporative air cooler. A smaller unit won’t be able to cool the space adequately, while a larger one will consume more energy than necessary. Evaporative air cooler An easy way to calculate the cooling capacity you need is to multiply the square footage of your home by the average ceiling height. This will give you the number of air changes per hour that the cooler should provide to comfortably cool your home.
Energy Efficiency
Evaporative cooling systems use far less energy than refrigerated air conditioners. This is because swamp coolers do not use any refrigerants, which deplete the earth’s ozone layer and are harmful to the environment. The cooling process does not produce any harmful chemicals, either. This makes swamp coolers a perfect solution for environmentally conscious consumers who still want to enjoy comfortable air conditioning.
The cheapest evaporative coolers use as little as 18W of electricity per hour to cool the air. They can also be used to add humidity to the indoor air. This is a great benefit for people who live in extremely dry climates, as it helps prevent static electricity and dries up dust mites and mildew.
However, evaporative coolers can only work efficiently in environments with low relative humidity and temperatures. High humidity levels reduce the effectiveness of the cooling system and can even prevent it from working at all. This is why it’s important to check weather reports for the dew point and humidity level, and to use a psychrometric chart to calculate wet bulb temperature.
This evaporative cooler from Zacsync uses a fan and water tank to cool the air in your home or office. It has a 3-speed regulator and a louver movement control, allowing you to customize the direction of airflow. The water tank holds 1 gallon and can be filled up easily. You may need to refill the water tank after a few hours, depending on how much you use it.
Noise Levels
When considering whether or not to purchase an evaporative cooler it is important to consider the noise level. Some people may be bothered by the loud sound of a fan.
Most new evaporative coolers are advertised as being quieter than other air conditioners and fans. The reason for this is that they are designed to move a large volume of air at slower speeds to reduce noise. In addition, they are often placed on a pedestal which helps to further reduce noise.
It is important to remember that evaporative cooling works best in arid areas where the air can dry out quickly. This is because the water molecules in the cooling pads can evaporate more easily into dry air than they can into humid air. In the United States this means that a cooler will work better in places like California, Arizona and parts of Texas and Utah.
The noise an evaporative air cooler makes is created by the heavy collisions of the air particles as they are moved through the cooling pad to increase the Evaporative air cooler evaporation. This type of noise is typically much quieter than the loud rumbling of a fan, but it may still be too loud for some people.
The best way to help reduce the noise from a cooler is to ensure that the fan belt is tight and not loose or slipping. Also, it is recommended to check that the air hoses, drain plugs and mesh screens are all in place and not blocked or clogged. These are simple things that can make a big difference to the noise your evaporative cooler will make.
Maintenance
Evaporative cooling systems require more maintenance than refrigerated air conditioners, but they’re much less expensive to run and provide significant energy savings over the long term. They also don’t produce the greenhouse gases that refrigerated air conditioning does.
Most evaporative coolers are designed to be relatively simple and easy to maintain and can often be serviced by their owners, eliminating the need for costly HVAC contractor visits. The only mechanical parts in most basic evaporative coolers are the fan motor and water pump, which are both easily repaired by a homeowner with a reasonable amount of mechanical aptitude.
The main maintenance task of an evaporative air cooler is changing the aspen or honeycomb cooling pads, which should be replaced twice each season. It’s also important to regularly clean the water tank and filter, which must be emptied, cleaned and disinfected at least twice each week.
When you’re changing the pad, it’s a good idea to remove and wash the pad frame as well — any bacterial growth on this part of the pad can be blown into your home. A swampy or fishy odor on the pad is another sure sign that it’s time to change the pads and clean the unit. You should also drain and sanitize the water tank, especially before storing an evaporative cooler for the winter.
