Evaporative cooling uses less energy than traditional refrigerant-based cooling systems. Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, circulate air through water-soaked pads made of evaporative media. The air is cooled as water evaporates from the pads. The cool air is then blown into the space while warmer air escapes through vents or open windows.
Swamp Cooler Vs Evaporative Cooler
People often do swamp cooler vs evaporative cooler but there is no difference between them except for their size.
Evaporative cooling does not use chemicals to heat the air as AC does. To cool down an evaporative cooler (sometimes called a swamp cooler), you only need water and a fan. Because the water evaporates into the air, it cools the objects around.
Ventilation And Evaporative Cooling
Evaporative coolers bring in the air continuously. The air is then cooled by evaporation and circulated using a fan. Warmer indoor air is let out through open windows or other ventilation. This is in contrast to air conditioning systems that circulate air inside buildings. They work best when they are sealed.
An evaporative cooler will not be able to cool a building that has no windows, doors, or vents that are at least partially open to the outside. An evaporative cooler, or swamp cooler, can’t provide the same air-cleaning filtration as high MERV filters found in central air conditioner systems. Many evaporative coolers include swamp cooler filters that can remove particles from outdoor air, even though they are less efficient than higher MERV filters.
Connecting With A Water Source
Evaporative coolers are equipped with a water tank or reservoir. This directs water onto the pads to keep them saturated. This tank can be manually filled with a bucket, hose, or other tools. However, many units can also connect to a continuous water supply, which can be used for automatic filling. Non-portable units will typically need a connection for continuous water supply.
Sizing An Evaporative Cooler
Swamp coolers and evaporative coolers are rated by cubic feet per minute which indicates how much air they produce. Energy Saver states that manufacturers recommend between 20 and 40 air changes per hour depending on the climate.
Evaporative Cooler Types – Portable Coolers, Window Coolers, And Whole-Building Systems
There are several basic designs available for evaporative coolers.
Mobile evaporative coolers, or portable swamp coolers, are used frequently in warehouses and manufacturing plants as well as outdoor areas where spot cooling may be desired.
Window Evaporative Coolers are used frequently in homes and workshops. The permanent installation of central evaporative coolers connects to ductwork for air distribution throughout buildings.
On building roofs, central evaporative coolers with down-discharge are installed.
For easier maintenance, side-discharge central evaporate coolers can be mounted on buildings’ sides. They can also be installed onto building roofs.
Two basic designs are used by central evaporative coolers:
- Multiple-inlet evaporative coolers have louvered inlets on three to four sides. These inlets allow air to flow through and then cool down with the help of thin, fibrous pads.
- A single-inlet evaporative cooler draws air through one opening. The air flows through a honeycomb-like pad that is thicker. A single-inlet unit typically uses a larger blower motor. This results in more airflow and when combined with thicker pads, more cooling.