Summer will be here before you know it! If you have a swamp cooler, knowing how to properly run it is key to a comfortable, cool environment, so we at The Appliance Doctor gathered several do’s and don’ts about swamp coolers. Need to have your HVAC system or swamp cooler serviced? We’ve got you! Contact us at 970.623.0152 for HVAC service, repair, and maintenance, we’ll make sure your home is cool this summer! For all other appliance needs, contact us at 970.773.1000 or schedule an appointment online, our licensed technicians are here to help you!
Swamp Cooler Do’s and Don’ts
Do Use Swamp Coolers in Arid Environments
Evaporative coolers work best in dry, arid environments, such as Western Colorado. Why? Swamp coolers begin to lose their effectiveness to cool if the outside relative humidity is about 75%. As swamp coolers cool air via the evaporation process, running the unit in higher humidity conditions can result in making the air muggier inside your home.
Don’t Skip Maintenance
Regular maintenance goes a long way to preserving the efficiency and lifespan of your swamp cooler. Contact us to perform a maintenance check before running the appliance for the summer, and also have a mid-season inspection as well.
Do Open the Windows
Unlike traditional HVAC systems, opening a window can help swamp coolers operate more effectively. How so? A swamp cooler creates moist air in your home, but the more humid the air is, the less effective the swamp cooler will be. An open window or two can solve this problem, by allowing dry air in and humid air out. Simply crack open a window an inch or two.
Don’t Neglect the Pads
Before turning on the fan, allow up to 15 minutes for the pads to fully absorb the water. Once the pads are soaked, top off the reservoir and give the pads time to work, then switch on the fan. This helps ensure you aren’t wasting energy blowing hot air around your residence before the swamp cooler has reached full cooling capacity.
Do Cultivate A Green Thumb
Houseplants help reduce extra humidity in your home, by absorbing moisture in the air. This helps your swamp cooler run more smoothly. For the best results, try plants such as cacti, yucca, succulents, aloe, etc.
Don’t Use Ice
You may think using ice will equal cooler air, but ice has its limits. Ice has to melt before it can evaporate, and this takes time. In other words, ice won’t improve the efficiency of the evaporation process, which is how swamp coolers produce cooler air.
Do Use Cold Water
A physics study shows that 50-degree water, or water out of the cold tap at your home, works most efficiently in a swamp cooler. The warmer the water, the decrease in performance.
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