Evaporative air coolers are also known as
"swamp coolers," a system for homes and buildings which emits
moisture to keep the air cool. This method of cooling is popular in the dry
climate of the Southwestern United States .
Existing ducts for conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning may
work for swamp coolers depending on the size of the premises. For efficiency,
you may need to enlarge the ducts or reduce them to a window opening depending
on the cubic feet of the area and size of the cooling unit.
Swamp coolers need more volume of air flow
than a conventional air conditioner because swamp coolers produce warmer air
supply. The ducting system should handle the increased volume of air blown into
the house. First you need to determine the right cooler. Divide the cubic feet
of space you want to cool by two for the required cubic feet per minute of air
blown into your home to determine the right cooler. The formula for a 1,500
square foot home with ceilings 8 feet high calculates as 1,500 x 8 = 12,000
cubic feet and then 12,000/2 = 6,000 cfm. You will need a swamp cooler with
6,000 cfm. For coolers 4500 cfm or smaller, use 18" ducts, 20" for up
to 5500 cfm and 24" for 6500 cfm.
Installation
Homes with hallways and multiple bedrooms
require duct installation for swamp coolers.Installers commonly used down-flow
swamp coolers on roofs to flow through ducts. Flowing air through ducts from
ground-mounted horizontal units makes maintenance easier with less risk of
leaks on the roof.
Security
Opening or closing windows regulates the
temperature and humidity. Installing up-ducts in the ceiling will properly duct
the area where opening windows could present a security issue. Up-ducts release
warm air into the attic and allows the cool air from the swamp cooler in. You
may need additional attic ventilation for this method of duct installation.
Small Units
Swamp coolers depend on dry, outside air.
During hot and muggy weather, the coolers blow in hot, humid air which can emit
a musty odor through the duct work into the house. Small premises have the
advantage of installing a small unit in a window to blow cooled air directly
into a room. Compact houses might not require ducts and can keep cool with
central-location installations.
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