You are here » » » Evaporative CoolersWhile heat pumps are the most energy-efficient cooling system for our local climate, many homes in the Valley are equipped withThese units perform best when the outside humidity level isHere is some information to help you get the greatest comfort and efficiency from your evaporative cooler. An evaporative cooler is a box-shaped appliance with one or more porous surfaces that enable air toA fan inside the unit pulls outside air through the sides and into the house. cool air, each porous side is fitted with a pad of water-absorbing material. Water is stored in a pan at the bottom of the cooler and a small pump lifts the water to the top of each side. To effectively cool your home, each pad needs to remain damp, but not soaked. the most evaporation and, therefore, the most cooling. The amount of water the pump moves may need to be adjusted from time to time to properly dampen the pads. Climate control inside a home with an evaporative cooler depends on proper air balance.

humidity, you need to make sure that the same volume of air flows out of your home as is pumped in. You can attain balanced air flow by installing ducts in each room or opening windows when theac units for sale in california cooler is in use. average cost home central ac unitA window should be open just enough to allow air pressure inside a room to slowlysingle room ac/heat units and quietly close the door to that room. If the door closes forcefully, there is too little exhaust and the window should be opened wider. However, the window is open too far if the door doesn't move at all. To choose the right size evaporative cooler for your home, you need to determine how many cubic feet of air per minute (CFM) the unit can pump.

If you can't locate the CFM number on your evaporative cooler or in the owner's manual, the following formula will help you calculate it: Example: 1,625 sq. ft. x 8 ft. (ceiling height) = 6,500 CFM/2 Have your cooler serviced twice a year, prior to the cooling season and midwayRegular maintenance will help extend the life and efficiency of the equipment. Before starting up the unit, perform these simple maintenance steps: Evaporative cooler thermostats, available at many hardware stores, automatically turn off the cooler when the air reaches a desired temperature, making operation Most evaporative coolers without thermostats have separate switches for the fanIf your unit lacks a thermostat, allow your pump to run a few minutes before turning on the fan. This saturates the cooler pads. Evaporative coolers and central air conditioners both serve the same important purpose: keeping us cool. But these two systems operate very differently.

Understanding the difference can help you get the most out of your system and minimize wasted energy. Evaporative coolers cool air by filtering it through water, thus lowering itsEvaporative coolers produce humid air because the air absorbs water during the cooling process. These systems work best when a small amount of outside air circulates into the home while the cooler is on. Central air conditioners, on the other hand, work by taking humidity out of the home. These systems produce cold, dry air and work best in an airtight home. Regardless of what type of system you have, make sure it is operating properly. Systems that leak water, make unusual noise, or that don't produce cold air are probably not energy-efficient and can increase your energy bill. The major advantage of an evaporative cooler is that its operating costs are typically half those of a central air conditioner. Valley's monsoon season (between July and August) humidity often rises

and, when combined with high temperatures, limits cooler effectiveness. For that reason, few Valley homeowners rely exclusively on evaporative cooling. Lower original equipment cost than air conditioners Reduced control over temperature in house Air is not cleaned as well as with an air conditioner Need to open windows or vents to outside Damp air can cause doors and wood furniture drawers to swell Requires more maintenance than an air conditionerFuel Economy in Hot Weather Hot weather can actually increase your fuel economy. Your engine warms up to an efficient temperature faster; summer grades of gasoline can have slightly more energy; and warm air causes less aerodynamic drag than cold air. However, keeping passengers comfortable in hot weather by rolling down the windows or using the air conditioning (AC) can reduce fuel economy. Running your car's air conditioning is the main contributor to reduced fuel economy in hot weather. Its effect depends on a number of factors, such as the outside temperature, humidity, and intensity of the sun.

Under very hot conditions, AC use can reduce a conventional vehicle's fuel economy by more than 25%.1,2 The AC's effect on hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) can be even larger on a percentage basis.2 Driving with your windows down can also reduce fuel economy. Open windows increase aerodynamic drag (wind resistance), making your vehicle use more energy to push through the air. This effect is quite small at low speeds but increases at highway speeds.1,3 What can I do to improve my fuel economy in hot weather? Roll the windows down at lower speeds; use the AC at highway speeds. Don't use the AC more than needed or set the temperature lower than needed. Park in the shade or use a sunshade so that the cabin doesn't get as hot. Drive with the windows open for a short time before using the AC. Letting hot air out of the cabin first will put less demand on the AC and help your vehicle cool faster. Don't idle with the AC running before driving.