QA

When Were Swamp Coolers Invented

Oscar Palmer of Phoenix is credited with the invention of the evaporative cooler. In 1908 he built the first drip type evaporative cooler in Arizona. By 1933, thousands of homemade coolers had appeared in Arizona.

Why is a swamp cooler called that?

Well, it’s often referred to as a swamp cooler because it uses pads and moisture to cool your house. While the use of moisture is part of the reason why they were dubbed this odd name, swamp coolers actually have a pretty cool history!Jun 27, 2017.

How effective are swamp coolers?

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.

Are swamp coolers and evaporative coolers the same thing?

Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers, rely on this principle. By passing outdoor air over water-saturated pads, the water in the pads evaporate, reducing the air temperature by 15°- to 40°F-before it is directed into the home.

How much water does a swamp cooler use in a day?

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. Most water use estimates range from 3 to 15 gallons / 11 to 57 litres per hour, with averages between 7 and 11 gallons / 26.5 and 40 litres.

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.

Why are swamp coolers on the roof?

Swamp coolers require winterization to prevent system damage, taking them out of commission for months out of the year. Many swamp coolers are installed on the rooftops of homes in Colorado. They also need to be winterized in order to prevent water transmission lines from bursting when below-freezing temperatures hit.

Can a swamp cooler cool an entire house?

MasterCool 7000 CFM 115V 2 Speed Down Draft 12″ Media Evaporative Cooler. This powerful evaporative cooler can cool up to 2,200 square feet of living space. Like all whole-house swamp coolers, the MasterCool 7000 CFM is hooked up to a continuous water source to maintain water levels.

Should a window be open when using a swamp cooler?

You can attain balanced air flow by installing ducts in each room or opening windows when the cooler is in use. A window should be open just enough to allow air pressure inside a room to slowly and quietly close the door to that room. However, the window is open too far if the door doesn’t move at all.

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.

Can I leave my swamp cooler on 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.

How can I make my swamp cooler colder?

10 Tips to Make Your Swamp Cooler Colder and More Efficient Use 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.

Do swamp coolers work in high heat?

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.

How much electric does a swamp cooler use?

The study showed that the typical evaporative cooler consumed about 1500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per summer, costing about $150 at current rates. The cooler’s water consumption added an average of $54 to a municipal water bill over the course of the summer, for an electricity-and-water total of $204 per year.

How do you prevent calcium build up in a swamp cooler?

Regular Maintenance Use Quality Pads. The quality of cooler pads you use on your evaporative cooling unit determines your coolant’s ability to prevent deposit accumulation. Clean the Cooler Regularly. Add a Bleed-Off Valve. Shut the Evaporative Cooler.

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.

Why does my swamp cooler smell like a lake?

The cooling pads, which are typically saturated with water to produce cooling, may have developed mold and / or mildew. When the system runs, it may be emitting this fishy or moldy smell, as a result. This is especially common if you have been running the swamp cooler constantly, and water has been continuously used.

How often should swamp cooler pads be changed?

Cleaning your pads annually helps manage mineral buildup, makes the pads last longer, removes foreign matter (like cottonwood seeds) and improves efficiency. For Mastercool swamp coolers, you should clean the pads annually and replace them every 3-5 years.

Do swamp coolers cause mold?

Swamp coolers do have the potential to harbor mold and mildew. The pads do stay wet through the season, which means that mold could grow. In more humid weather, mold is more apt to grow. When you turn on the cooler, the mold in the device could be spread through the process of blowing the air out into the ducts.