How Can I Make My Swamp Cooler Colder?

Homes in dry heat areas benefit from swamp coolers.

Swamp coolers, or evaporative coolers, have been used in the western and southwestern United States for many years. They cool effectively in a dry climate where the relative humidity is 30 percent or less for the majority of the time, according to the California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center. They have the added benefits of being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench or screwdriver

Instructions

1. Open your swamp cooler by removing a side panel. This will require a wrench or screwdriver, depending on your model.

2. Check that there is adequate water in the swamp cooler. Since they rely on water evaporation for cooling, both the amount of water available and the temperature of the water can affect the temperature of the resulting air.

3. Check that the cooling pads are adequately damp. In order for the unit to function, the pads must remain moist without dry spots.

4. Check that the internal sump pump is working properly. Without the sump to pump water to the pads and keep them moist, your swamp cooler will blow warm air.

5. Determine if your unit is the proper size for the area you are cooling. It may feel that the unit is not cooling the room adequately if you are attempting to cool too large an area with too small a unit. You can determine this by checking the CFM rating on the unit. CFM, or cubic feet per minute, determines how much cool air is exchanged with warm air per minute.

6. Open a window or two in the house. This will direct the cool air throughout the house as it looks for a place to go. Open windows are critical to getting the most out of your swamp cooler.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a swamp cooler for your home only if you live an a dry heat area.

• Always turn off the electricity before opening up an electrical appliance.

• Change the pads in your cooler annually to avoid mold and mildew and the circulation of dirty air that

• can inflame asthma and allergies.

References

• California Energy Commission: Consumer Energy Center; Evaporative Cooling
• Home Energy: Installing and Maintaining Evaporative Coolers
• hvac-for-beginners: Evaporative Cooler Troubleshooting, Do It Yourself And Save...

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Search Data Center: Evaporative Cooling (Swamp Cooling)