Basements?? (Cottonwood Heights: townhome, bill, dryer)

[cjsmom02]

Do the homes in UT have basements? As I mentioned in my previous post, we will be relocating from WI and I have a million questions...this one just came to mind.

Chris

[11thHour]

Most of them do. Some of the newer townhome developments don't, but they are an exception.

[Katzpur]

That was too easy.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

and don't forget the swamp coolers! I was puzzled by that when I moved here but I actually love mine and refused to install a/c during a remodel 2 yrs ago.

[cottonwood2420]

Nearly all of the homes do.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by cottonwood2420

Nearly all of the homes do.

So why do you hate Cottonwood Heights so much?

[cjsmom02]

Thanks all. That will mak ehubby VERY happy!!

ok, so fill me in...what the heck is a swamp cooler??

Chris

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by cjsmom02

Thanks all. That will mak ehubby VERY happy!!

ok, so fill me in...what the heck is a swamp cooler??

Chris

It's big fan box that sets in a wall, window or on a roof that has water dripping down its louvered walls. The air is drawn through the water, evaporates, and cools (and humidifies) the air blown into the house. You can control the airflow by opening up a window in the opposite end of the house from where the cooler is located. And it's officially known as an evaporative cooler.

They work pretty well in dry climates, but if the outside humidity gets high they're no good. The best thing about them is that they'll run all day for pennies. I had one in west Texas and in the first home I owned in Wyoming. I went to central air 30+ years ago. I much prefer it -- quieter, more evenly distributed, cleaner, dryer. And if you've got alergies... forget the swamp cooler.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Mine sits on the roof in the center of my square house. They are found in older homes b/c they use so much less electricity. My summer bill is about $65/mo. When it's 105 degrees outside, it's also usually 6% humidity. I come from New Orleans so I do know what humidity is and SLC ain't got it! There are times in the summer when I have to turn off the cooler b/c the house is too cold.

When I renovated, I added another layer of blown-in insulation in the attic for about $600 and I never feel hot.

Swamp coolers use mats of straw or reed which are wet down by water trickling from the top. The air is then sucked through and the water humdiifies and cools the air. There is some maintanace, changing mats and making sure the water is flowing. The lines have to be drained in the Fall and a cover put over it to help keep out the cold.

Search this forum for swamp cooler and you will see a lot of opinions about them.

[cjsmom02]

wow! Save money while keeping the house cool. What a concept. With higher humidy here in WI, it's no wonder we never heard of them before.