Tips for Owners of Evaporative Coolers

Many homes throughout Phoenix and the surrounding area are outfitted with evaporative coolers as their primary source of cooling. These units are most efficient when outside humidity levels are low, which is why they’re so popular here in the desert.

Still, there are always ways you can improve the operation of that equipment. With this in mind, here are some tips and information for owners of evaporative coolers in Phoenix, AZ.

The function of an evaporative cooler

First, for you to get the most out of your evaporative cooler, it helps to know exactly what it is and what its function is.

Evaporative coolers are appliances shaped like rectangular boxes that have at least one porous surface, allowing air to pass through to the other side. A fan located inside the unit then sucks outside air through those sides and into the appliance’s housing. To create cool air, every porous side has a pad of water-absorbing material. Water gets stored in a pan at the very bottom of the cooler, and there is a pump that runs to the top to lift that water up.

All cooling pads must remain damp at all times if they are to effectively cool your home, but they should not be completely soaked. Dampness creates faster evaporation, and therefore the most effective cooling. You also have the ability to adjust how much water the pump moves at any given time to make sure the pads are properly dampened.

Choosing the right cooler

If you’re in the market for an evaporative cooler, one of the biggest factors that will go into your selection is the amount of air the unit can pump, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). If you can’t find the CFM of your current cooler on the machine itself or in the owner’s manual, you can do some simple math to figure it out. First, multiply the square footage of your home by the average ceiling height. Then divide the total figure by two. This will give you the CFM needs you have for an evaporative cooler in your home.

Cooler maintenance

Once you have an evaporative cooler in your home, it’s important you take good care of it so your investment will last you for years to come. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

• Remove all old pads as needed and clean the pad frames every time you do so with a wire brush.
• Drain and flush the reservoir and scrape away scale.
• Regularly clean the water distribution system, including all pump parts and distribution tubs.
• Regularly inspect all electrical wiring and switches to uncover poor connections or insulation.
• Adjust all motor bolts to ensure proper tension throughout the system.
• When you turn on the water supply, make sure the water dampens the entire pad.
• Always aim to maintain about three inches of water.

For more information about evaporative coolers in Phoenix, AZ, contact the team of technicians at Premier Industries Inc. today.

Categorised in: Evaporative Cooling

This post was written by Mike Nicolini