Anyone out there install an Evaporative Cooler in their apt, house or loft? I am interested in putting one in but not sure how well they work, how easy to install, if you need to involve a plumber.. etc. I rent a space, so maybe portable is the way to go?
I've got a portable unit that has done wonders for me in a dy climate. But i've since been relocated closer to the coast where the humidity is higher.. the swampcooler is just about useless here. It doubles as a big box fan but other than that doesn't get used. Take a look at the average humidity in your area. 70% is probably the max you can still get some cooling. Good luck
Well - Im in downtown LA - so humidity should be fine. It's usually dry when hot. Any recommendations - which one do you have. Problem is my space is one big (1400 sf) room.
Swamp coolers are great (IF you are in a dry climate), but there are some tricks to good performance. If you have a portable cooler (as opposed to window-mounted)that doesn't intake air from the outside, you have to crack a window or the air reaches saturation and you basically have a fan spitting warm humidity.
Not really the same scale as you guys are talking about, but Tod Williams Billie Tsien and Associates made a proposal for an evaporative cooling tee-pee type structure for the Phoenix Art Museum
no dude
we have the fixed one...
the space is real big though..
its like a 600 sft space, with 450 sft double height and rest as single floor on the mezannine
it cools really well man
will have to ask someone about the volume and specs though
They make the best evaporative coolers. At Home Depot, the cheapies run under $500 for up to a 3000 sq. ft. house. You need to get a 1/4" water line and 110V to it.
Want more positives? Dirt cheap operating costs. 1/5 the first cost of central air. Higher humidity indoor air in the summer (less cracked sinuses). More frequent air changes in the summer (less chance for mold than central AC). No refrigerants.
Negatives in the southwest? ..... let me see... uh .....slightly more visible than a condensing unit. No other negatives.
Why aren't they used more often? They are ubiquitous in Phoenix, but I don't know if they are gaining or losing market share there. Other places? I don't know the problem.
Maybe there's a perception of a mold problem with them. With 10 minutes/month maintenance, this perception goes away.
The drawback to evaporative coolers is the water usage - which is a big deal here in new mexico. the city of albuquerque encourages refrigerated air instead of evap cooling for just that reason.
Water is a renewable resource, but coal-fired electricity isn't. Cost governs everything, so if Albuquerque advocates AC, they'll have to raise the price of water. In Denver, Xcel will pay you $250 to install a swamp cooler. It probably saves them $80/year in generating capacity costs.
One thing in favor of AC is the ever-increasing efficiencies. I wonder how close they are to the theoretical maximums?
Jun 8, 04 6:56 pm ·
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Swamp Cooler
Anyone out there install an Evaporative Cooler in their apt, house or loft? I am interested in putting one in but not sure how well they work, how easy to install, if you need to involve a plumber.. etc. I rent a space, so maybe portable is the way to go?
I've got a portable unit that has done wonders for me in a dy climate. But i've since been relocated closer to the coast where the humidity is higher.. the swampcooler is just about useless here. It doubles as a big box fan but other than that doesn't get used. Take a look at the average humidity in your area. 70% is probably the max you can still get some cooling. Good luck
Well - Im in downtown LA - so humidity should be fine. It's usually dry when hot. Any recommendations - which one do you have. Problem is my space is one big (1400 sf) room.
See above
psycho alpha disco beta bio aqua do loop
Swamp coolers are great (IF you are in a dry climate), but there are some tricks to good performance. If you have a portable cooler (as opposed to window-mounted)that doesn't intake air from the outside, you have to crack a window or the air reaches saturation and you basically have a fan spitting warm humidity.
hey shalak, we have a swamp cooler here in pasadena and it just rocks!
im sure it would be pretty good in downtown LA too
Not really the same scale as you guys are talking about, but Tod Williams Billie Tsien and Associates made a proposal for an evaporative cooling tee-pee type structure for the Phoenix Art Museum
ROCK sameolddoctor. you workin the portable version? how much space you got?
go put on some PUBLIC ENEMY and rock out with me
no dude
we have the fixed one...
the space is real big though..
its like a 600 sft space, with 450 sft double height and rest as single floor on the mezannine
it cools really well man
will have to ask someone about the volume and specs though
hm. ok. thanks for the info though. i will check em out.
They make the best evaporative coolers. At Home Depot, the cheapies run under $500 for up to a 3000 sq. ft. house. You need to get a 1/4" water line and 110V to it.
Want more positives? Dirt cheap operating costs. 1/5 the first cost of central air. Higher humidity indoor air in the summer (less cracked sinuses). More frequent air changes in the summer (less chance for mold than central AC). No refrigerants.
Negatives in the southwest? ..... let me see... uh .....slightly more visible than a condensing unit. No other negatives.
Why aren't they used more often? They are ubiquitous in Phoenix, but I don't know if they are gaining or losing market share there. Other places? I don't know the problem.
Maybe there's a perception of a mold problem with them. With 10 minutes/month maintenance, this perception goes away.
The drawback to evaporative coolers is the water usage - which is a big deal here in new mexico. the city of albuquerque encourages refrigerated air instead of evap cooling for just that reason.
Water is a renewable resource, but coal-fired electricity isn't. Cost governs everything, so if Albuquerque advocates AC, they'll have to raise the price of water. In Denver, Xcel will pay you $250 to install a swamp cooler. It probably saves them $80/year in generating capacity costs.
One thing in favor of AC is the ever-increasing efficiencies. I wonder how close they are to the theoretical maximums?
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