Swamp Coolers vs. Refrigerated Air (Hope: car, office, build)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

People think I'm crazy because I have not turned on my swamp cooler yet. In fact, I am attempting to go the whole summer without it. Of course it needs an overhaul, so that helps (if it would work at the flip of a switch I would've turned it on weeks ago) but so far I'm surviving with only fans to move air from outside to inside when the outside temp is lower than inside.

Anyone else tough (crazy) enough to survive an Albuquerque summer without A/C?


ABQConvict

nope, not many:: We used to turn it on about mid may and keep it on until at least Labor day. We didn't use it at night as a rule.

good for you,

as for proving it can be done, our ancesters did all their canning without turning on air, using blenders or food processors and didn't use the dish washer to sterilize the jars either, but I certainly do...
Nita

[PINAYPIE]

A swamp cooler willd efinitely be cheaper on your wallet compared to a central A/C. You can get by with just installing a room a/c.

If you have a two-story or multi-level, though, it's kind of irritating. Our house here in UT has a swamp cooler and the only place it cools is the top floor, the main level is still warm.

Hope that helps!

[Cindy E.]

You would have to install central air conditioning into your home, which is very expensive. Swamp coolers (also known as evaporative coolers), window air conditioners, and portable air conditioners all are more energy efficient and cost efficient, compared to central air conditioning. Depending on your needs and deciding how much money you are willing to spend to stay cool this summer, will help with your decision on keeping the swamp cooler or getting a different type of air conditioner.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by PINAYPIE

A swamp cooler ... If you have a two-story or multi-level, though, it's kind of irritating. .... only place it cools is the top floor, the main level is still warm.

It's all in how you duct the air flow.

Not everyone with a two-story dwelling has your problem.

[BlueRose]

How cool should the swamp make the house? On 100 degree days, mine is only cooling the house to 84.5...... It appears to be working fine, the pads are wet and we put in a new motor, pump etc... It doesnt seem to be working that well. What could be keeping it from working better? What should I check?

Thanks!

[Tom Jefferson]

As you probably know, the a/c shines on humid days. Most of the time, the evaporative cooler will get you thru with relative comfort.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by BlueRose

How cool should the swamp make the house? On 100 degree days, mine is only cooling the house to 84.5...... It appears to be working fine, the pads are wet and we put in a new motor, pump etc... It doesnt seem to be working that well. What could be keeping it from working better? What should I check?

Generally 15 to 20 degrees max. But the outside temperature and the humidity are what basically affects the temperature drop. Last summer was bad because it appears to have had a higher humidity. 90 degrees with 10 percent humidy use to give me about 75 degree's of cool indoor temperatures with my swamp cooler fan set on low...

The past week has been pretty humid, so what you are getting may be all.

1. Are you sure you have enough windows open? If not, that will slow your airflow down. Take a square of toilet paper, if it is held to the screen of an open window you don't have good air flow.

2. I found over the years that thinner pads were working better than thicker pads.

3. I use to change my pads every other year.

4. Make sure your pads are seated in the frame.

5. I use to drain the water out of my cooler almost one a day (Connected a water hose to the drain, with the drain standpipe removed, put a garden hose on, put a cheap valve on the other end of the hose)



Rich

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by BlueRose

How cool should the swamp make the house?

The cooler should be able to take 100 degree air and turn it into 67 degree air if the relative humidity is about 15%.

Note that the two questions:

(1) How cool should the swamp make the air?

.... and

(2) How cool should the swamp make the house?

.... are different.

Originally Posted by BlueRose

On 100 degree days, mine is only cooling the house to 84.5.

Poncho's suggestions are correct. You have to have good airflow.

Generally, with the blower on low, my house is about ten degrees warmer than the air that is coming out of the vents. If I set the blower on high, the house would probably be about five degrees warmer and feel even cooler than that because of the increased air flow.

[BlueRose]

Thanks guys! I am not feeling air blow out of the vents. The damper is not in it but feels like it is. I cant seem to figure out what could be wrong but have an AC guy coming tommorow. It going to be an expensive service call but I just dont know what else to do.

The air isnt blowing out, even on high. On low it does nothing at all. Previously, it has blown out hard enough to feel it when you put your hand close, what could be causing it do to do this???? Everything seems to be working fine, squirrel cage is going, pads are getting wet etc.... I dont know how to get to the inside of the damper or where the vents are. We checked all the breakers, and reset the electric....

I have windows cracked in every room in the house. The toilet paper does stick against the window however.... not sure how open the window should be?


If anyone can help me figure this out on my own and thus save an $85 service calll I would be so happy

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by BlueRose

Thanks guys! I am not feeling air blow out of the vents. The damper is not in it but feels like it is. I cant seem to figure out what could be wrong but have an AC guy coming tommorow. It going to be an expensive service call but I just dont know what else to do.

The air isnt blowing out, even on high. On low it does nothing at all. Previously, it has blown out hard enough to feel it when you put your hand close, what could be causing it do to do this???? Everything seems to be working fine, squirrel cage is going, pads are getting wet etc.... I dont know how to get to the inside of the damper or where the vents are. We checked all the breakers, and reset the electric....

Your blower motor has a fan belt, it may have come off.

Your blower motor may have failed.

You sure you were using the correct switch, sometimes they are not labeled? But typically they have three switches:

- Fan ON/OFF
- Fan Speed HIGH/LOW
- Water Pump ON/OFF

If you have "Fan ON/OF" turned off, then "Fan Speed HIGH/LOW" will have no effect, because the motor is off.

Dampers: Usually a slide in damper which shuts off air flow, and the usually rotating dampers above the furnace which rotate from "Summer" to Winter positions.

But if you had air flowing it should not be a damper issue.



Rich