How evaporative coolers work

The first thing to know is how evaporative coolers work, or swamp as some call them. This is important to recognize because it will make a difference in what type of cooler you buy and where it is placed. All refrigerators produce cold air in the same way. As water is pumped over the pads or media, it evaporates into the air. This evaporation process causes a drop in temperature of the discharged air. The more water is absorbed into the air, the greater the temperature drop of the discharged air. Humid air is already saturated with moisture, so you will get a much lower temperature drop through the cooling medium. In very dry areas much more water can be absorbed from the air. This causes a temperature drop from the outside air to the discharge air of 20 to 30 degrees. Swamp coolers use about 25% of the energy that an air conditioner will use. They can be a very inexpensive option in the driest areas.

Stationary or portable cooler?

Many prefer to use a ceiling or window mounted cooler. They generally provide cooler air, but both require installation. A ceiling mounted cooler requires a ceiling mount, ceiling penetration, and duct system in your attic. This will cost you several thousand dollars for the installation alone. A window-mounted cooler is much less expensive, but a separate unit is required in each room to cool the house. Both types of coolers draw in outside air. This dry outdoor air that moves through the cooling medium is cooler than the air that is continuously recirculated through a portable cooler. As the air becomes more humid in the room, less water can be absorbed when the air passes through the medium. Because of this, it is best to place the portable cooler in or near a door or window.

There are advantages that coolers give you that you don’t have with other types of coolers. A roof-mounted cooler is more difficult to access and maintain. It also cools the house with a larger motor that uses more energy. This is not necessary if only one or two rooms in the house are used at a time. Window coolers are more accessible but too difficult to move from room to room. Portable refrigerators are perfect for moving to different areas of the house when needed.

What model of portable evaporative cooler should I buy?

There are several manufacturers that make quality coolers. Tradewinds manufactures several models that are versatile and quality products. They currently have five models in their Gadabout series. The Tradewinds M500 is their largest model and is generally used in areas such as workshops and garage areas. Tradewinds M150, Tradewinds M201A, Tradewinds M301A, and Tradewinds M401A are portable coolers perfect for residential use. All of these models vary in size and CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) discharge. Champion also produces several quality portable evaporative coolers. They produce three stylish pedestal design refrigerators. These are Champion CP35, Champion CP65, and Champion CP70. Many people like these models because of their swinging blinds. The Champion EC302 is a model shaped similar to a box fan. This model can be rolled up on its wheels or placed on a stand in front of a window.

There are quite a few companies that sell these portable coolers. I recommend going online to find the best Cooler make and model to suit your needs. All companies that sell these refrigerators online will ship them to your home. To find a list of the many companies that offer portable evaporative coolers, go to Google or Yahoo and type swamp coolers online. Competition between laptop cooler companies can be fierce, and you can often save money by buying them online. I hope these tips help you find the best cooler for you at the best price.