LESLIE: Wes in Utah is on the line and has a question about a very common form of cooling over there: a swamp cooler. What’s going on?
WES: Yes. I’m wondering if a cooler – the old-fashioned swamp cooler, evaporative cooler – works better in the sunlight or in the shade?
TOM: Well, it certainly would work better in the shade. You’re going to get better cooling action without having the added evaporation of all of that direct sunlight on the water. So, it’s a good idea to shade those units when it’s physically possible to do that.
And you’re right: it’s known both as a swamp cooler and an evaporative cooler. And that’s, essentially, what happens: as the water evaporates, it lowers the temperature of the air and that’s why it becomes more comfortable. And in particularly dry climates, like Utah, swamp coolers are very, very common and very popular and have been for many years.
WES: OK. So it works better in the shade.
TOM: Better in the shade. If the opportunity presents itself to shade it, do it, Wes, OK?
WES: Thank you.
FAQs
Drawbacks of Evaporative Coolers
A sunlit rooftop cooler will be about 1°F less effective than a shaded cooler.
Where is the best place for a swamp cooler? ›
To get that perfect position to place a swamp cooler, move it around until you find the optimal location in every room of your choice. One great idea is to place the cooling unit near a cracked window to take in dry air from outside and pass on better air in the room.
What is the most efficient way to run a swamp cooler? ›
Tips to Make Your Swamp Cooler More Effective
Make Sure the Tank is Full and Pads are Wet. A swamp cooler relies on evaporation to cool the air, so an adequate supply of water is necessary. Otherwise, the system just blows hot air. Allow Cooler to Run Before Turning on Blower.
What are the best conditions for a swamp cooler? ›
Desert states and areas where there is little moisture are ideal climates for swamp coolers. You want the humidity to be 70 percent or less for optimal evaporative cooling, 74 percent maximum.
Do swamp coolers work in 100 degree heat? ›
Generally, with a well-maintained swamp cooler, there's a 20-degree difference between the temperature outside and the temperature inside your home. However, swamp coolers have a difficult time keeping up with high humidity and blazing summer temperatures over 100 degrees.
When should you not use a swamp cooler? ›
Swamp coolers only work in very dry air. Whenever there is a lot of humidity - they completely fail to do anything.
Do swamp coolers work above 90 degrees? ›
It's important to note that swamp coolers aren't effective at temperatures above 90 degrees F; they only work when humidity levels are high enough for substantial evaporation to occur.
Does a swamp cooler need to be near a window? ›
A Swamp Cooler Will Require Open Windows
In order for the unit to work properly, the pads should be damp, not soaked. There is a pan at the bottom of the air conditioner.
Is it OK to run a swamp cooler all day? ›
Swamp cooler are designed to be run continuously. The water supply is connected to the sump (water storage pan at the bottom) through valve that has a float. The floats monitors the water level and closes when no more water is needed and opens when the water level gets low.
Does putting ice in a swamp cooler help? ›
Do Not Use Ice. The use of ice in addition to water can slow down the process of evaporation, and make it take much longer for cool air to come out. The water actually needs to be heated up in order for it to evaporate, and the use of ice will prevent this from happening quickly.
Sometimes our clients ask if they should shut down their evaporative coolers when they leave? It's not something Climate Control Company recommends unless you are planning on being away for an extended period. Without the swamp cooler running during the day while you're gone, your home will quickly get very warm.
Why is my swamp cooler not very cold? ›
If the pads are not soaked enough, the cooler will not be able to produce cold air. In case the air your cooler is blowing out is not cool enough, its evaporative pads may have become clogged with debris and scale. Also, check if there are clogs in the tubes since such issues can keep the pads from getting wet.
How often do you add water to a swamp cooler? ›
So, swamp coolers need a steady supply of replacement water. Most air coolers estimate water use from 3 to 15 gallons (11 to 57 liters) per hour.
Does rain affect swamp cooler? ›
In other words, these machines rely on water in the air. If there is too much, like there is in humid weather, then cooling is less or nonexistent. Even for areas with normally low humidity, this can still be a problem. After all, humidity jumps up after a rainstorm no matter where you live.
Is it cool cooler in the shade than in the sun? ›
When you're out in the sun, you're exposed to two types of radiation: ultraviolet (UV) radiation and infrared (IR) radiation. UV radiation is what causes sunburns, while IR radiation is what makes you feel hot. Shade blocks both UV and IR radiation, which is the simple reason why it feels cooler in the shade.
Does adding ice to a swamp cooler help? ›
Do Not Use Ice. The use of ice in addition to water can slow down the process of evaporation, and make it take much longer for cool air to come out. The water actually needs to be heated up in order for it to evaporate, and the use of ice will prevent this from happening quickly.
Does covering the swamp cooler help? ›
Use a Cover
These covers will not only protect your swamp cooler during the winter, but it also helps to reduce what you need to do to prepare it for the summer months. This is because a cover will keep your cooler cleaner and easier to clean prior to needing to use it again.
