evaporative swamp coolers operation

Conventional air conditioning systems are based on the re-circulation of the same home air. Evaporative coolers have a completely different approach; they move cool air into the home, blowing it into a central location or into the different rooms through a ductwork system, causing the indoor hot air to escape to the outside.

This approach of the evaporative coolers requires the opening of windows (or ceiling vents) and rooms during the operation time.

Obviously, you can regulate the temperatures by only opening the windows and vents in the rooms you want to cool (closing windows and vents in other areas), or by adjusting the amount of opening.

Ventilation openings

If you don't want to leave your windows open while the evaporative cooler is working, because that is insecure or for other reasons, ceiling up-ducts is a good solution. Up-ducts are specialized ventilation openings installed in the ceiling, but they may demand additional attic ventilation.

Procedures in Standard operation

Open the windows or vents on the leeward side of your home, and try to find the right windows to open, and also their openness.

This adjustment is important, because if the windows are too open, unwanted hot air may enter into the house; and if they aren’t sufficiently open, there will be too much humidity in the home.

These adjustments and procedures may sound rather empirical or difficult, but they aren’t. You will get it after a few tries.

Vent-only operation

An evaporative cooler with a vent-only option allows the homeowner to stop the water pump of the system. In this case the air will not be humidified, and the evaporative cooler will work as a common whole-house fan, which is great during mild days and mild air conditions.

Evaporative Coolers and Air Conditioners Conjunct Operation

Though evaporative coolers can be used in conjunction with air conditioners, the two systems shouldn’t operate simultaneously, since they involve opposite logics.

You may use an air conditioner system in humid weather conditions (when evaporative coolers are inefficient) and an evaporative cooler in dry weather conditions (to get electricity savings and a wealthier air), but not simultaneously.