Introduction to Evaporative Coolers.

In the event that you ask an older relative if they’ve heard of an evaporative cooler, they might say no. But odds are they would recognize the theory behind the technology. Before ac or other cooler types existed, people would sleep outside on a screened in porch to try to stay cool at night. They’d often hang damp sheets over the screens in an endeavor to cool the air. Whilst the hot air passed through the sheet, it had been cooled. And then the cool air would slowly circulate, relieving a few of the heat for the sleepers.

The same idea exists today in the shape of evaporative coolers. These machines are wonderful cooling mechanisms for people who are now living in hot, dry climates home cooler.They’re also known by the name swamp coolers, but that may be misleading because they really won’t work at all in swampy, humid conditions. The name probably came from the way in which that evaporative coolers actually add humidity to the air. But in fact, evaporative coolers need dry, hot air to work because in order for the air to be cooled, it must be able to pick up (evaporate) a few of the water. If the air is already saturated, it won’t pick up any more water and it won’t be cooled.

Here’s how evaporative coolers work; the device is composed of a fan that pulls the hot dry air within the cooler, where it is passed through damp pads. The pads are kept damp by a pump that circulates water through the machine. Whilst the dry air accumulates a few of the water, its temperature drops, sometimes by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with regards to the climate. The cooler air is then blown in to the room. An additional bonus of an evaporative cooler is that the pads that cool the air also filter it. Whilst the air passes through the pads, dirt, dust, allergens and other pollutants are captured in the fibers of the pads. So you’ll be breathing cleaner, cooler air.

An Old Idea Finds New Life In An Evaporative Cooler

If you’re wondering why you ought to choose an evaporative cooler over a traditional ac, there’s one more reason we haven’t covered yet. The cost to operate an evaporative cooler could be less than 1/10 the total amount it costs to operate an air conditioner. In fact, some community power companies in hot, dry climates will actually offer residents a refund if they install an evaporative cooler since they recognize the effective, efficient cooling capabilities of the technology. Contact your local utility company to see if they give the rebates and ask if they’ve any info on the effectiveness of an evaporative cooler in your area.