QA

Question: How A Swamp Cooler Works

A swamp cooler uses moisture to cool air. A swamp cooler (which is also called an evaporative air conditioner) works by taking warm outside air through wet evaporative cooler pads, effectively cooling the air. The cold air is then blown into a home by a blower motor through a vent.

At what temperature does a swamp cooler become ineffective?

According to USA Today, “When the outside temperature soars to 100 degrees (38 C), we’re in trouble if the humidity is much above 25%.” As temperatures rise, humidity must decline in order to effectively cool your home.

Are swamp coolers effective?

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), an evaporative cooler can successfully reduce the ambient temperature by 5 to 15 degrees—but even the DOE is quick to clarify that this process works only in areas with low humidity.

Do swamp coolers use a lot of water?

Swamp coolers need a constant supply of water. As water keeps evaporating from the unit to cool the air, more water needs to replace it. Larger units may use as much as 20 gallons / 75 litres per hour or more . . . and again, this will depend on the heat and humidity levels.

Do swamp coolers work in high heat?

Swamp cooler, also called desert cooler, air-cooler, works on evaporation of water and consequent cooling of the air. This works in hot and dry climates, not in humid or rainy season. The air that comes out is also higher in humidity.

Should you open windows with a swamp cooler?

Open windows let out hot air when you’re using a swamp cooler. Air conditioning cools and recirculates air in a room or in an entire building. It is essential to keep the windows closed so the cooled air does not escape.

Do swamp coolers work over 100 degrees?

Here’s the deal: your swamp cooler will only cool your home by about 10 degrees. In addition, it will struggle immensely, and likely will not work at all, when its humid outside. However, it will do a better job of cooling, and in humid weather your refrigerated air system will cool and dehumidify.

What are the disadvantages of swamp cooler?

Cons: Swamp Coolers Don’t Work Well Over 35% Humidity – On those days when the humidity rises, a swamp cooler has a harder time cooling your home. Since water evaporation is the core of the cooling process, the air that is already saturated with water (humid air) is difficult to cool.

How many windows should be open with a swamp cooler?

You should have 1 to 2 square feet of a window or open door space for every 1,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM). For example, you have a 4,000 CFM system and windows with 4 square feet of space to the outside when opened. You need 4-8 square feet of space, which is 1-2 windows open, to run this system.

Can a swamp cooler run all day?

A swamp cooler can be in operation for 24 hours of the day, but you will need to ensure it has enough water. Continuous flow coolers will automatically work and will be fine to run all day. Manual swamp coolers require you to add water to the reservoir and change the settings so it will run all day efficiently.

Can you leave evaporative cooling on overnight?

Yes, it is possible to leave an evaporative cooler on overnight. It is common for some people to leave the cooler on continuously for a 24-hour period. There is no issue with the system running continuously, but you may wish to consider leaving it on overnight if you live in a humid climate.

What is better swamp cooler or AC?

For budget savvy consumers, the swamp cooler is the more economical choice for summer cooling. Central AC does require some maintenance, but this is mostly clearing away debris from the compressor and making sure that the air filters are changed. Evaporative coolers require much more maintenance.

How many gallons of water does a swamp cooler use per day?

Another sources state that the evaporative cooler uses 9,000 gallons of water a year and 40 gallons of water a day. Yet another that each cooler uses an average of 30,000 gallons of water each year.

Will a swamp cooler cool a house?

As long as swamp coolers are installed in climates with very low humidity, they can reliably cool homes and businesses while using less energy than central AC. While swamp coolers are reliable, efficient and highly cost-effective, they typically only cool homes by about 10 degrees.

Can you use a swamp cooler and AC at the same time?

If you have both an evaporative cooler and central air unit, do not run them at the same time. Doing so would cause the two systems to work against each other. If you have central air, there is no need to crack a window or open a door to make the system more effective.

How long do swamp coolers last?

But, while swamp coolers don’t cost much to buy, they are a lot of work and money to maintain. Not only that, they are only warrantied to work for 5 years. Refrigerated air systems can last up to 20 years if properly maintained.

Can you use a swamp cooler in a closed room?

Using a water cooler with the water pump ON is a very bad idea inside a concealed room. Air cooler works on the principle of evaporative cooling, in which water gets mixed with air before it comes out of the cooler. Due to evaporation the water in liquid form turns into vapor causing cooling.

Can you put a swamp cooler inside?

While there are some environments conducive to evaporative cooling use in an enclosed building, the cooler is not going to operate at its highest efficiency. In some instances, running an evaporative cooler in a closed environment could make the room or building warmer by increasing the humidity level.

Do swamp coolers need ventilation?

Evaporative coolers don’t require venting like portable ACs, but the air forced out will still require an exit path in order to ensure sufficient cooling (this can usually be accomplished with an open door or window). As a general rule, allow a 2 foot square opening for each 1,000 CFM provided by the swamp cooler.