Why are air coolers referred to as swamp coolers on some websites yet evaporative coolers on others? What distinguishes them? What is their proper name?
The quick answer is that they are identical. The lengthy answer is found in the history and evolution of these coolers.
The Good Old Days
People utilized simple fans long before air conditioning or evaporative air coolers. However, because fans just circulate air rather than chilling it, humans devised a device that operated on the same principle as a contemporary evaporative cooler. It was typical to sleep on a porch (or with an open window in the house), hang out wet towels or sheets, and put on a fan to circulate cold air over the wet bedding. This created a natural, low-energy alternative that gave the needed heat respite.
The Evaporative Cooler’s Evolution
What is the most crucial item that people look for on a hot day? A pleasant wind. An evaporative cooler simply replicates a cold, pleasant wind. But, best of all, if you have an indoor/outdoor variant, it readily operates both indoors and outside.
Portable evaporative air coolers provide a one-of-a-kind cooling solution by combining elegance and design with efficiency and dependability. They seem sophisticated and convoluted, yet their effective cooling technique could not be simpler.
The Answer Is Simple Science
Air coolers function by using the natural evaporation of water. Inside the units, absorbent honeycomb cushions take up water. When warm air from outside is brought in, it cools as it travels through the wet filter pads, causing the water to evaporate. A strong fan is then used to blast away the chilly air. As a consequence, whether indoors or outside, the immediate surroundings are effectively cooled. Although chilly, this air is humid, therefore it may provide too much moisture in a humid region like Florida. For individuals who live in drier climes, an air cooler might be an excellent solution.
A steady supply of fresh air is required for an evaporative cooler to perform successfully. This provides the necessary airflow for the evaporative cooling process. An air cooler should be placed near an open window or entrance in your home. They can also be utilized outside (as long as it is an approved outdoor model). Once you’ve located the ideal location for your cooler, all you have to do is fill the tank with water.
Because cooling is produced by the natural process of water evaporation, an air cooler’s reservoir should never be depleted. Maintaining the water supply is critical to the operation of an evaporative cooler.
How To Remove The “Swamp” From Your Cooler?
When mechanical coolers were initially developed, Aspen pads (made of wood) were utilized, which were inferior to the honeycomb pads used today. Among other things, they caused a rotten odor.
This moldy, musty stench was more prevalent in older models of evaporative coolers, earning them the moniker “swamp coolers.” The marshy qualities were equally as noticeable as the cooling feature. The phrase “swamp cooler” has persisted despite advances in modern evaporative coolers, but it is becoming less and less common. A neglected evaporative cooler that is not cleaned or properly maintained can create an environment that is more conducive to mold and bacteria growth; however, if you follow the cleaning and deodorizing recommendations in your unit’s user manual, your evaporative cooler will cool efficiently and without swamp-like issues.
Coolers That Evaporate
Evaporation coolers, rather than swamp coolers, are a more appropriate word for coolers that use the natural evaporative process because evaporative coolers represent the current and future trends in the world of coolers. However, keep in mind that these devices are practically the same, and many people still refer to them as “swamp coolers.”