Evaporative Cooling Fans

How Evaporative Cooling Works

Evaporative cooling provides a low-tech, low-cost alternative to air conditioning. It cools by combining water evaporation with the simple movement of air. A blower circulates fresh outdoor air after it has been pulled through wet material, cooling the air by evaporation. Also known as a swamp cooler air conditioner, this type of cooling can lower temperatures as much as thirty degrees. They work best in dry areas rather than in humid regions.

A small evaporative air cooler can be installed in a window to blow cool air into a room. Larger evaporative cooling units can be used with ductwork to blow cool air throughout a building. While air conditioners are rated in terms of BTU (British Thermal Units), swamp coolers are rated by CFM (cubit feet per minute), which measures how may cubic feet of air are blown through a space per minute. Select a cooler by dividing the square footage of the space you want to cool by two (sq. feet/2). This number will give the CFM rating your space requires.

One striking advantage of evaporative cooling over central air conditioning is the fresh, unrecycled outdoor air used in the cooling process. Swamp coolers work best during the hottest time of the day. As temperatures climb, humidity will drop, making the process more efficient. Evaporative cooling technology is simple, and it costs 75 percent less than A/C. Most units can operate on 120 volts, as opposed to the higher amperage needs of A/C.

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What’s New in Evaporative Cooling

Evaporative cooling has been around much longer than central air conditioning and has proven to be just as good at cooling in arid parts of the country. The technology works by the same process our bodies use to control temperature—perspiration. As we sweat and our perspiration evaporates, our skin feels cooler. Swamp coolers use hot air to absorb water, and the hotter the air, the better the cooling. Warm air from outside is drawn into a fan and pushed through moistened pads. The air is then vented into a room or through ductwork. Pads are made of shaved wood (cedar or aspen) to discourage mold and mildew from forming.

Evaporative cooling systems are inexpensive, efficient, and offer a more natural way of cooling—and they’re making a comeback. They’re popular because they offer a low-cost way to cool a room or a building, they require simple technology, and they also prevent wood from drying out, which is good news for floors and furniture. The downside to evaporative cooling is that they do not work in humid climates and require a constant flow of water.

Evaporative humidifier technology is sound, but there are always developments that are noteworthy. Here are some of the newest developments in swamp coolers:

• There are now two-stage units that cool the air before hitting the cooling pad. They are rated to cool as effectively as A/C, but cost much more than the average swamp cooler. This advance might be worth the initial investment, but the process is more complicated than in standard units.
• Some manufacturers are using photovoltaic panels (solar energy) as an energy source for units. Solar energy can provide enough energy to run a household unit, and even some industrial units. This is good news for homeowners and industries that want to go green.

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Industrial Evaporative Cooling: It’s Not Just for Homes

There is wide array of industrial evaporative cooling units (or swamp coolers) on the market today. Swamp coolers are becoming more and more popular, especially when business owners and industry professionals recognize the value of efficient, low-cost cooling with low environmental impact. They are often used in commercial kitchens, dry cleaning facilities, industrial plants, warehouse/loading docks, construction, sports arenas, garages, and animal facilities to control heat.

Adequate cooling is crucial in commercial and industrial settings where workers are exposed to heat. High temperatures can make workers feel uncomfortable, and high heat can be be dangerous. Extreme heat can cause a myriad of physical complaints, from headaches and dizziness to full-blown heat exhaustion. Heat can also cause workers to feel lethargic, which makes them more likely to make mistakes that can slow production, or worse, lead to serious accidents.

The good news is that cooling doesn’t have to break the bank. A swamp cooler can make a room feel as much as 20 degrees cooler, and they come in a models that suit most any application:

• Portable evaporative coolers are great for home and office.
• Industrial-sized coolers work in a number of commercial settings.
• Ducted evaporative cooling allows a whole building to be cooled by pushing cool air into ducts, then into rooms. This method can be more efficient than central air conditioning and costs much less to operate.
• Evaporative cooling towers work to cool water, rather than air. They are used in large-scale industry.
• Misting systems spray a fine micro-mist on targeted areas. Water droplets are so small that they instantly evaporate on surfaces, making them cooler. They are used in kennels, zoos, veterinary clinics, and greenhouses.

All types of evaporative coolers work best in temperatures above eighty degrees F with humidity below 30 percent.

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Evaporative Cooling: A Great Way to Go Green

Evaporative coolers (or swamp coolers) can help homeowners, business owners, and industry professionals by keeping building occupants cool. Evaporative cooling increases humidity, improving the breathability of the air. It offers cooling and air filtration in one unit, as it pushes air through a layer of padding. The padding acts as a filter, removing certain contaminants from the air—especially those that can cause allergies. Swamp coolers also filter odors, making indoor work and leisure more enjoyable.

Evaporative cooling technology can expose building occupants to fresh air throughout the day. Unlike central air conditioning units, evaporative coolers don’t require a building to be sealed when in use. In fact, there should be at least one door or window open for proper ventilation. Breathing fresh air can make people healthier and more alert throughout the day.

Swamp coolers make sense if you want to save energy, considering that over half of A/C-cooled building energy bills result from cooling costs. In U.S. homes alone, air conditioning accounts for up to five percent of total annual electrical output. Imagine what the cost would be for commercial buildings and industrial facilities if air conditioning were the only option! Consider a ducted or portable evaporative cooler for Freon-free cooling that uses 75 percent less energy than A/C.

Important: Check and change evaporative cooler pads according to manufacturer recommendations to keep indoor air clean. Toxins, odors, and minerals can build up in padding, causing indoor contamination. Keep electronic equipment, books, paper, and fragile wood away from cooler vents to prevent damage from excess humidity.

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Ten Things to Know About Evaporative Cooling

Evaporative coolers (also known as swamp coolers) can lower the temperature of outdoor air by as much as 30 degrees. Evaporative technology cools without the hassle or high costs of central air conditioning, but there are some things to know know before you buy:

1. Evaporative coolers cost half the price of air conditioners that cool the same size area.
2. Some municipalities and government entities offer rebates for use of evaporative coolers.
3. An evaporative cooler requires a constant supply of water and a 120-volt power supply to operate.
4. No Freon is required in evaporative cooling.
5. Swamp coolers create a complete air change every one to three minutes.
6. To cool a small space, a small cooler can be used in a window.
7. Evaporative coolers don’t need as much ductwork as a central air conditioning unit requires. Also, they can be used with existing A/C ductwork.
8. Evaporative cooling works best in dry climates.
9. At 50 percent humidity, evaporative coolers lower air temperature by 10 degrees. At 10 percent humidity, air temperatures drop between 20 and 30 degrees.
10. Evaporative coolers work best during the hottest part of the day, unless humidity is high.

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