Make Your Cooler Work Better
Did you know evaporative coolers (swamp coolers) work well even in low humidity climates? My evaporative cooler kept my 1973 home at 77 degrees even when it was 114 outside. However, there are some things you can do to get more cooling power out of your cooler.
Ways to Get more Cooling Power
If you have a “Grandma” cooler, i.e. one with straw media pads. You need to trade it in for for a cooler using engineered cellulose paper pads. These pads give 10 to 15 degrees more cooling power, it last longer, resist mold, and limit pump clogging particulates. These might be single inlet coolers or four sided.
Install ceiling vents. The cooler blows air into the house. That air also needs to leave the house or the cooler will not work. Typically this is accomplished by opening windows in the areas desired to be cooled. But there are also security risks when windows are left open, even with window locks installed. The solution is to duct the air through the attic with Up-Dux. These are a box with a grill and a flexible plastic damper that is inserted into a hole cut into the ceiling. They cost around $50 each and you need one for each room and sometimes two for large rooms. They are usually installed toward the exterior walls of the home. When the cooler comes on the plastic damper blows open as the house is pressurized, then the air, which you’ve paid to cool, blows out through the attic. This cools the attic and also cools the house and make your roof last longer. You may need to add attic ventilation. A ridge vent is an idea.
Pay attention to humidity. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor the air holds. The higher the percentage the less room there is for more water to be added to the air. Evaporation is the process of liquid water changing to water vapor – referred to as a change of state. It is this process that allows a cooler to work. Sometimes people put in a larger pump to wet the pads more. This adds non evaporated water, which not only does not cool properly but also adds humidity to the home. Adding ice to the water doesn’t help either. Water has to evaporate for the heat to be pulled out of the air. Ice will cool the air by convection, but it limits the ability of the water to reach the temperature it needs to evaporate. Coolers see a steep drop in cooling power when the humidity gets over 30%. If your cooler doesn’t seem to be working properly and the air in your home feels thick – check the humidity. Unfortunately, the hotter it gets outside along with the lakes, people, and every living thing that sweats –raise the humidity level.
Solutions for Effective Coolers
Having a modern cooler, good air flow through the attic, and understanding how your cooler works will give excellent, economical cooling through the hot, dry months for your home. Let our professionals help you pick out a cooler for your home. Call 530-221-3331 right now to prepare for the hot summer ahead.