How Evaporative Coolers Work

The first thing you need to know is how evaporative coolers work, or swamp as some call them. This is important to recognize because it will make a difference in the type of cooler you buy and where it is placed. All coolers produce cold air in the same way. As water is pumped over the pads or media, it evaporates into the air. This evaporation process causes a drop in temperature of the discharged air. The more water absorbed into the air, the greater the temperature drop of the discharged air. Moist air is already saturated with moisture, therefore you will get a much lower temperature drop across the cooling media. In very dry areas, much more water can be absorbed from the air. This causes a temperature drop from outside air to discharge air of 20 to 30 degrees. Swamp Coolers use about 25% of the energy an air conditioner will use. They can be a very economical option in drier areas.

Stationary or portable cooler?

Many prefer to use a roof-mounted or window-mounted cooler. They usually provide cooler air, but both require installation. A roof mounted cooler requires a roof support, a roof penetration, and a duct system in your attic. This will cost you several thousand dollars for the installation alone. A window mounted cooler is much less expensive, but a separate unit is required in each room to cool the house. Both types of coolers draw in outside air. This dry outside air moving through the cooling medium is cooler than air continuously recirculating through a portable cooler. As the air becomes more humid in the room, less water can be absorbed when the air passes through the medium. For this reason, it is best to place the cooler in or near a door or window.

There are advantages to portable coolers that you don’t get with other types of coolers. A roof mounted cooler is more difficult to access and maintain. It also cools the house with a larger motor that uses more energy. This is not necessary if only one or two rooms in the house are used at a time. Window coolers are more affordable but are too difficult to move from room to room. Portable coolers are perfect for moving to different areas of the home when needed.

What model of portable evaporative cooler should I buy?

There are several manufacturers that make quality portable coolers. Tradewinds manufactures several models that are versatile and quality products. They currently have five models in their Gadabout series. The Tradewinds M500 is their largest model and is typically used in areas such as workshops and garages. The Tradewinds M150, Tradewinds M201A, Tradewinds M301A and Tradewinds M401A are portable refrigerators perfect for home use. All of these models vary in size and CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) discharge. Champion also produces several quality portable evaporative coolers. They produce three stylish pedestal design coolers. These are Champion CP35, Champion CP65 and Champion CP70. Many people like these models because of their oscillating blinds. The Champion EC302 is a model shaped similar to a box fan. This model can roll on its wheels or stand on a stand in front of a window.

There are quite a few companies that sell these portable coolers. I recommend going online to find the best make and model of Cooler that suits your needs. All companies that sell these refrigerators online will ship them to your home. To find a list of the many companies that offer portable evaporative coolers, go to Google or Yahoo and type in swamp coolers online. Competition between portable cooler companies can be fierce, and you can often save money by buying them online. I hope these tips will help you find the best cooler for you at the best price.