FAQ: Getting to Know Your Portable Evaporative Cooler

A portable evaporative cooler (a.k.a. swamp cooler) is a great way to beat the heat if you live in an arid climate, like we have here in Arizona. They’re way less expensive to operate, better for the environment, provide air inside that’s as clean as the air outside, and are super quiet. What’s not to love? Some people may be hesitant to buy a portable evaporative cooler in Phoenix, AZ because they don’t know much about them. Let’s answer a few questions!

What size cooler should I buy?

It’s common to question what size product you should buy, especially with air conditioning units. If you buy one that’s too small, your home won’t be cooled. Too big and you’re just wasting money. Luckily there’s no need to call in a professional to determine what size cooler you need.

A simple way to find out which size cooler you need is by calculating the cubic feet of airflow per minute (CFM). The term CFM is used to describe the amount of fresh air that is cooled by your cooler each minute. The CFM can be found by dividing the cubic feet of the space in your home by 2. The end number is the ideal CFM. Come visit our store with your CFM and we’ll set you up with the perfect cooler.

Will the cooler make everything damp?

To put it simply, absolutely not! A portable evaporative cooler in Phoenix, AZ works by evaporating the water in the air ducts. Even though the water pads in the duct are damp, that won’t make your room damp as well. Fear not, your furniture will be as dry as your air is cold.

How often do I have to refill my cooler?

How often you need to refill your cooler with water depends on how much you use it. If you run your cooler on high, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year you might have to refill it every day. If you use your cooler intermittently throughout the day, you’ll have to refill it less often.  It’s kind of like filling your car up with gas. If you drive all over the place going as fast as possible, you use up your fuel quicker.

How often do I have to clean my cooler?

Water that sits too long in your reservoir will become a hotbed for mold, mildew, and other nasty things like bacteria. Running your cooler with stale water will send all of that gross stuff into your home. Yikes! It’s good practice to drain your cooler and clean your reservoir once a week to avoid any problems. After you’ve cleaned the reservoir, let it completely dry before inserting it back into your cooler.

I live in a humid climate, will a cooler work?

Although swamp coolers are meant for arid climates, they can still be useful in humid areas. In the mornings and evenings, when humidity is at its lowest points, a swamp cooler can be very effective. If you want the luxury of having an AC and a swamp cooler, go ahead and buy both! You can run the swamp cooler in the mornings and evenings and an AC during the afternoon. That strategy will significantly cut costs on your electricity bill.

We know you have questions, and that’s why we’re here to help. Call us at 602-997-8754 for a free consultation!

Categorised in: Evaporative Cooling

This post was written by Mike Nicolini