How Does Swamp Coolers’ Work?

Evaporative cooling has been used in several ways. The same principle also cools you after a swim. This is why evaporative cooling is one of the most primitive forms of air conditioning. Evaporative coolers have been known in the U.S. as Swamp Cooler. The origins of modern evaporative cooling systems can be traced back to ancient Egypt. They’re efficient, inexpensive, and good for the environment. But don’t abandon your regular AC.

The ancient Egyptians were very fond of air conditioning. They did it by hanging wet blankets between their doors. Or, if they were royalty, having servants fan them over jugs of water. The air cools off when hot, dry air passes across the water. Today, electric fans are used in place of servants but the principle of cooling by evaporation of air remains unchanged.

Unfortunately, evaporative cooling systems don’t work everywhere. Swamps, in particular, are bad places for swamp cooling. It isn’t clear why they were given this nickname. But it likely refers to the humidity and swampy smell that can form if they aren’t maintained regularly.

Swamp coolers are based upon a simple, yet efficient technology that has been around for quite some time. The principles and technology of evaporative coolers worked well for the Egyptian pharaohs.

Swamp Coolers Vs. Air Conditioners

Standard AC units use the same operating principles as your home refrigerator. The coils cool air, which is then sent into your home. This air is then recirculated around the machine, blowing excess heat to the outside. How AC Conditioners Work. It is a closed process. Leaving a window, or door open allows cool rays to escape. The conditioner will work harder to supply cold filtered air.

Swamp coolers are an open-system system. They are dependent on the flow and direction of cool air through buildings. This is because they require hot, dry air to evaporate any water. One of the two systems can use large central units or small window units. However, air from swamp coolers must exit. The swamp cooler controls airflow to different parts of your house. Central air conditioners use central air conditioning ducts to direct airflow. Swamp coolers can still use ducts for some purposes, but they will need to be larger than traditional ducts to provide greater airflow from swamp coolers.

Air conditioners are also designed to dry the air. The cold coils condensate water vapor from the cooled air as it passes across the cold coils. The water drains out — this is the distinctive drip that you can feel when you stand long enough in front of a window air conditioner unit. It can create a dryer room which, in humid climates is, a good thing. Too much humidity can make it difficult to sweat, which is what cools us naturally. The swamp coolers function as humidifiers, putting water into dry air. This is particularly useful in dry environments where humidity may be too low. The right conditions can allow the water-laden breeze to have secondary effects, such as helping the skin sweat more. It will give you a cooler feel than the swamp cooler.

You cannot run a swamp cooler and a standard HVAC unit together because of their differences. The two would counter each other, just as if you were to have a humidity generator and a humidifier both in the same place.

Swamp Cooler Benefits

Swamp coolers offer many benefits when they are in the right environment. They are inexpensive to make and install. To make them, you will need a blower fan and a pump. You also need an 8- to 12-inch- (20–30 cm-) thick filter pad made of either treated or fiberglass cellulose fibers, plastic foam, or shredded open fibers. It is easy to find fans and pumps. You can get the rest at any local shop. A swamp cooler should have at most two speeds as well a vent-only option.

The monthly operating costs of the swamp cooler are much lower than those of central AC. The most significant savings is in electricity. You will not only save on your electricity bill but also on the environment.

Swamp coolers provide an additional benefit to the environment since traditional air conditioners have used ozone-depleting compounds for cooling.