I’m looking for some feedback on my planned swamp cooler installation.
They seem to work really great in this climate, and cost several times less for operating costs as well as first cost compared to central air. The system also automatically solves any summertime IAQ and humidity issues.
They have at least two disadvantages that I see, 1. They require maybe two hours maintenance per year, and 2. They can be really ugly perched on the roof or sticking out the window, rusting away.
I’m going to place mine inside the house in a small mechanical room. This way I can service it quickly and easily as necessary. Since it’s not in a freezing environment, that cuts the annual maintenance in half. I feel the unit will last a lot longer being protected from the weather.
It will draw fresh air through a large window under a 2 ft. overhang, and discharge directly into the house. I’ll have a water heater type overflow pan under it to take care of any accidental overflow.
Does anyone see any problems? If not, why isn’t this a more common way to install them? If more new homes in appropriate climates used evaporative cooling, it could help solve summertime brownout problems
Replies
Ugly should not be a problem if keeping cool is the primary goal. Give your cooler the maximum amount of ventilation possible so I doubt your utility room idea is going to work as effectively as hanging it outside. You are also putting your trust in a float and valve system that while simple can stick and you could have a flood. These work best where the average humidity level is under 50% and better yet where it is under 35%. In that 35-50% range there effectivness begins to diminish. And over 50% humidity for get it, turn on the A/C. The shop style free standing units work best in large open spaces where there is a constant flow of outside air. Also if your are in the vicinity of there airflow pattern.
Also be aware that in your home you need to keep a window open at the other end of the house so you you can vent the positive pressure built up by the evaporative cooler.
I have worked on roofs next to these when running, and there are several that have been kind of misty next to it, from the water trickle in the fibres sort of splashing out through the vents, like someone sneezing on me.
So my concern would be the walls and flooring nearby. I know that idseally, the fan pulls that mist filled air into and through the unit but ideal doesnb't always happen
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