How To Use A Swamp Cooler — Detailed Guide
- Fill the reservoir with cool water.
- Wait a while for the pads to soak up
- Point the fan to the area you want to cool
- Open the windows a bit.
- On hot days, you can use it with a dehumidifier
- Run the Pump Before Cooling Off. ...
- Test Relief Airflow. ...
- Close Doors to Rooms Not in Use. ...
- Check Humidity Outside and Inside. ...
- Listen to Your Cooling System. ...
- Make Sure Your Cooler Is in Top Shape.
Will a swamp cooler work in a humid house?
As you run a swamp cooler, it makes moist air in your home as water evaporates into the air. However, the more humid the air in your house is, the less effective your evaporative cooler will be.
How do you fix a swamp cooler that won't work?
Let the air out by opening a window or two. For swamp coolers to work, you need to let air out at the same rate that the swamp cooler is blowing air in. That way, humidity won't build up in your house, making it seem warmer than it actually is. Though opening windows seems counter-intuitive, it actually helps your swamp cooler work better.
How much does a swamp cooler cost?
There are also models with wheels on the bottom, allowing you to move the swamp cooler from room to room the way you might move a fan to cool different areas of the home. Swamp coolers are also less expensive than air conditioners, with smaller units going for anywhere from $150 to $350.
How much window space do you need for a swamp cooler?
Though opening windows seems counter-intuitive, it actually helps your swamp cooler work better. [8] You'll need 1 to 2 square feet (0.093 to 0.186 m 2) of open window space per 1,000 cfm, which is the unit's cooling capacity.
Can a swamp cooler cool an entire house?
Down discharge swamp coolers will cool an entire home and are generally installed on the roof, while side discharge units also cool an entire house but are installed on the side of the house and enter through the home's attic.
Why is my swamp cooler not keeping my house cool?
Probably the single most common reason your swamp cooler is not blowing cold air is that the circuit breaker has tripped or the fuse has blown. These are installed so as to avoid electrical damage to the unit, so it doesn't get fried in the case of an electrical overload.
Should you crack a window with a swamp cooler?
Do you have an evaporative cooler on your home? If so, you know you must leave windows cracked open a bit to allow the airflow needed for the cooler to be effective.
How many windows do I need to open with a swamp cooler?
Open the windows or vents on the leeward side of the house to provide 1 to 2 square feet of opening for each 1,000 cfm of cooling capacity.
Do swamp coolers work in high heat?
Evaporative coolers are most effective in high temperature (85°F or more) and lower humidity (below 50% relative humidity) situations. Evaporative coolers are least effective in lower temperature (below 75°F) and high humidity (above 60% relative humidity) situations.
Why is my swamp cooler blowing out warm air?
Reasons Why Your Swamp Cooler Is Blowing Hot Air Sometimes it's merely caused by humid weather outside. Other times, it might simply be because you just have the “vent/fan” setting turned on, on your unit. You can get away with just turning the fan on when it's cooler outside.
Can you run an air conditioner with a swamp cooler?
Can I use a swamp cooler and an air conditioner at the same time but in different rooms? Absolutely, yes. We recommend using a swamp cooler with air conditioning in a different room to avoid installing an AC unit in every room.
At what temperature does a swamp cooler stop working?
A wet bulb temperature above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) means the swamp cooler won't be able to adjust the temperature enough to keep it in the comfort zone. (This varies based on humidity, personal preference and activity, but it generally falls in the low 70s.)
Does adding ice to a swamp cooler help?
In fact, adding ice to your evaporative cooler might actually hamper the cooling process. Water has to heat up in order to evaporate. The colder it is, the longer it takes to warm up. If it's really cold, it might actually drip out of the cooling pad before evaporation can even take place.
Is it OK to run a swamp cooler all day?
During the hottest part of the day, it is not ideal to run your swamp cooler. You will only be able to lower the temperature to a certain extent. But, if it is exceptionally hot outside, running the swamp cooler will be absolutely essential for comfort. Evening hours are a great time to run the swamp cooler.
How do I maximize my swamp cooler?
10 Tips to Make Your Swamp Cooler Colder and More EfficientUse Your Swamp Cooler in a Dry Climate. ... Use Your Swamp Cooler Seasonally. ... Open the Windows. ... Run a Dehumidifier. ... Cultivate a Green Thumb. ... Experiment With Positioning. ... Prime the Pads First. ... Use Cold Water.More items...•
Is a swamp cooler cheaper than air conditioning?
Swamp coolers generally are cheaper to install and use less electricity than air conditioning. They also perform the same job as humidifiers. These are the primary reasons so many people love them. However, there are some disadvantages of this system that make it unappealing to others.
How can I improve my swamp cooler performance?
How to Optimize Airflow in Your Home Swamp Cooler EfficiencyRun the Pump Before Cooling Off. ... Test Relief Airflow. ... Close Doors to Rooms Not in Use. ... Check Humidity Outside and Inside. ... Listen to Your Cooling System. ... Make Sure Your Cooler Is in Top Shape.
What to do if cooler is not cooling?
Walk-In Cooler Troubleshooting Tips Make sure the back of the evaporator coil is clean & has good air flow. Check the condenser on the roof or above the walk in cooler to make sure it is running. Check the condenser coil to make sure it's not dirty. If it is, turn the unit off and clean it.
Why is my evaporative cooling not working?
The most common reason the evaporative cooler may not be giving a good air flow is because of the circuit breaker and fuse of the evaporative cooler, which are installed by the manufacturer to prevent damage to the unit. If there is a power surge, you can be sure that the unit will not be damaged.
How do I fix my water cooler not cooling?
This is very easy to do: First, remove a few cups of water from your machine, then completely unplug your water cooler from the mains. We then suggest leaving your machine for 24 hours before switching it on again. After 24 hours, plug it back in and wait 6 hours for the water to adjust to a cooler temperature.
How to cool your house with a swamp cooler?
How to Cool your Home with a Swamp Cooler. First, know that there are different sizes of units. As in the photo, some units are large with the majority of the unit outside. You can also get smaller units; some work inside a house window. You can also get stand alone units (usually on wheels) to place in your room.
How to keep swamp cooler running?
Check Water Level. Always keep your swamp cooler full of water to the appropriate level. If the cooler is going through water too quickly, then find a way to help with water flow so that there’s constant water in your unit. This will ensure your unit runs as efficiently as possible.
Why are swamp coolers so popular?
Swamp coolers are popular in dry, hot regions as they help throw cool, moist air around your home without the expense of a traditional air conditioner. In the photo, the swamp cooler sits at the front of the home with a pot of colorful flowers on top. This is a larger unit, where most of the swamp cooler sits outside the house.
What to do if your house is not shady?
If you don’t have a shady location in the house, then consider using a tarp or blanket to protect your unit from the sun shining on it.
Can you use stand alone units in a room?
You can also get stand alone units (usually on wheels) to place in your room. Some units have what is called a “continuous fill”; they actually attach to a hose like a garden hose.
Do swamp coolers need to be saturated?
You’ll want to make sure the cooling pads are saturated in cold water before turning your fan on to circulate the air from your swamp cooler. The colder the cooling pads, the colder the air that will flow through your home thus helping to maintain a cool home during the height of summer heat.
What is swamp cooler?
A swamp cooler — the affectionate name for an evaporative cooler — can save you a bundle of money on your electricity bills when temperatures skyrocket during the hot summer months. Unlike an air conditioner, which relies on near-constant electrical energy to keep refrigerant moving through the condenser coils, ...
How much humidity does a swamp cooler need?
In general, evaporative coolers work best when the relative humidity is around 70 percent. Once it’s above 75 percent, they lose effectiveness and can actually make things feel worse as they tend to make the air more damp. If you live in an area where humidity rises and falls regularly, keep an eye on the weather. You can use your swamp cooler on dry days as a way to keep your central air conditioning use to a minimum, which will help you save on your utility bills.
How to store evaporative cooler for winter?
Before storing your evaporative cooler for winter, make sure the unit is thoroughly cleaned and all water completely drained from the system. Don’t pack it away until it’s had a chance to dry out thoroughly — including the cooling pads. Putting a damp unit into storage is a surefire way to end up with mildew and other problems next spring.
What does it mean to run an evaporative cooler?
Open the Windows. Running an evaporative cooler means “unlearning” some things you know about traditional air conditioning. While an air conditioner is most efficient in a sealed and insulated environment, swamp coolers actually do best with a steady stream of fresh air.
How long does it take for an evaporative cooler to absorb water?
Once they are wet, they more easily wick water from the tank to stay wet, but it can take up to 15 minutes for them to become saturated at the outset.
Where does evaporative cooling work best?
The bottom line? Evaporative cooling works best in the arid climates found in the desert Southwest and parts of Texas and California.
Does a dehumidifier help with humidity?
A dehumidifier on its own can help your house feel cooler in the summer on a humid day, as it will make drier air that helps your body’s natural perspiration work more effectively. By the same principle, it can also give your swamp cooler a big boost in efficiency.
How does a swamp cooler work?
Today, swamp coolers work by the same principle: A motorized fan pushes air through damp pads, which moisten and cool the air before blowing it into its surroundings. When air passes over water, microscopic molecules of water evaporate into the air, turning from a liquid into a gas. This process eats up heat, thus cooling the air around it.
What is swamp cooler?
What is a swamp cooler? Also known as an evaporative cooler, this device—which is about the same size as a room air conditioner—lowers the temperature in a home simply by adding moisture to the air.
How much does it cost to install a swamp cooler?
Costs for this sort of project vary by area and the size of your home, but homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 for the whole job.
How much energy does an evaporative cooler use?
The Department of Energy estimates that an evaporative cooler uses about a quarter of the energy consumed by a central AC system, and the purchase cost is about half that of central AC.
Can swamp coolers be used in hot climates?
Although you can still find swamp coolers in plenty of homes and home supply stores, Ricart says they’re less common than they were 10 or 20 years ago because they’re harder to control than their AC counterpart—and, as we mentioned, not too effective in especially hot climates.
Is swamp cooler a good air conditioner?
Although it has limits on where and how well it works, it’s a cheap, efficient alternative to a regular air conditioner—it’s well worth considering if you want to save money. According to the most recent figures from the United States Energy Information Administration, swamp coolers are used in only 2% of homes nationwide, ...
Can moisture in a house cause mold?
Ricart also warns customers that the moisture fed into a home can wreak havoc on wood furniture and heighten the risk of mold growth, if it’s not controlled. “It can make everything in the house soggy,” he says.
How Cool Does a Swamp Cooler Get?
It’s impossible to say how much a swamp cooler will cool your home. There are several factors inside and outside your house that will impact a swamp cooler’s performance. However, depending on the climate where you live, swamp coolers can cool inside air significantly.
How a Swamp Cooler Works
To get an idea of how a swamp cooler works, think about a time when you stepped out of a pool on a hot day. As the water evaporated, your body cooled down. Swamp coolers use the same mechanism to chill the air in your home. Of course, they are simple machines, especially when compared to air conditioners.
How to Use a Swamp Cooler Effectively
The best way to use a swamp cooler effectively is to ensure you’re using it in the right environment. Unfortunately, they tend to struggle to cool your home on humid days, so it’s best to use alternative equipment, such as an air conditioner, when you know it’s going to be muggy.
Do Evaporative Air Coolers Work in High Humidity?
You can use evaporative air coolers in semi-outdoor and outdoor areas in any climate, including when it’s humid. However, swamp coolers don’t work well indoors in damp regions because they add moisture to the air as they cool. Using a swamp cooler in humid areas will make your home feel muggy despite the cool air it generates.
How to supply a swamp cooler with water?
The other way to supply your evaporative cooler with water constantly involves connecting it to a water line. If anything obstructs the flow of liquid through that line, your swamp cooler will not receive the water it needs. Your home will be warmer as a result of that.
What is swamp cooler?
Swamp coolers represent a reasonable alternative to homeowners who need more cooling but would rather not splurge on an air conditioner. The aforementioned coolers rely on evaporated water and air circulation to make a home more comfortable. That’s why swamp coolers are also referred to as evaporative coolers.
Why is my swamp cooler not working?
The problems with your swamp cooler could be related to a lack of water inside the unit. Internal components of your swamp cooler could also be malfunctioning. If your swamp cooler isn’t getting enough exhaust, that can also lead to the inadequate production of cold air.
What to do if swamp cooler belt breaks?
You will need to find a replacement belt that’s compatible with your swamp cooler. After that, you will have to slip it into position.
Where are swamp cooler ducts located?
The ducts located in the room where the swamp cooler is working should offer enough exhaust. Of course, not everyone may have those ducts installed.
Can you manually fill a swamp cooler?
Homeowners who fill their swamp coolers manually should set a reminder for it. Note how quickly the water in the pan evaporates when the appliance is in use. You can then set reminders so you can fill the appliance up again before the water runs out.
Can swamp coolers run into problems?
Unfortunately, swamp coolers can run into some problems that prevent them from providing that highly coveted cold air. We’ve highlighted what those problems are below and we’ve also detailed the different ways to fix them. Read on so you can find out how to handle those swamp cooler issues on your own.
