If you live in a dry climate, swamp coolers (a.k.a. evaporative coolers) are a great way to stay cool -- and they are much less expensive than an air conditioner. Use these steps and tips to keep your home cool while using a swamp cooler.
Step 1 Install a swamp cooler
Different types are installed different ways. There are portable kinds, in-the-wall kinds, in-the-window kinds, all sorts. Make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions completely to maximize the output of your swamp cooler.
Step 2 Open a window
In the summertime, this sounds like a bad idea. But if you don't, moisture build-up in your house will cause the swamp cooler to be less effective. This is because swamp coolers use moisture to cool the air. When there is too much moisture, the temperature won't change as much.
Step 3 Wait until it's 85-degrees or more outside
Believe it or not, swamp coolers operate the best when it's warmer. The evaporation mechanism is most efficient when there is a significant difference between the cooling pads, the water, and the air, and as long as the outdoor relative humidity is less than 30%.
Step 4 Clean the filter
The water filter for the swamp cooler cleans out any impurities for maximum evaporation. When the filter is clogged, these impurities will get through and evaporation will slow, or stop altogether.
Tips
- Some suggest using a swamp cooler and an air conditioner in tandem. This is foolish if you are trying to conserve energy and help the environment. On really hot days, use the swamp cooler to cool down your house at night. Turn off the cooler during the day and shut windows and blinds to keep the cool air in.
- Maintain, maintain, maintain. While swamp coolers have become more and more easy to use, they do require some maintenance. Make sure everything is clean and working properly, especially before an expected heat wave.
- Some swamp coolers use dump pumps to remove the impure water from the filtration system. You can recycle this water on plants or grass that can take water with a high saline concentration (salt is the primary impurity in water). If you have nothing that will take high-saline water, try diluting the mixture with more water.
- High-capacity swamp coolers are not always the best. Look for coolers that are efficient and use low amounts of water. Also, it may be difficult to transport large quantities of water from the water source to the cooler.
- On the same token, high-capacity coolers are more convenient since you won't need to replace the water as often.
Warnings
- Do not operate a swamp cooler and air conditioner at the same time. They use two different processes, they are essentially opposite -- with minor differences. Cooling may occur, but it will put unnecessary strain on both systems.
Things You'll Need
