Swamp coolers are the safest and most cost-effective way to keep your home cool during the summer. A swamp cooler cools the air by pulling it through water-soaked pads and allowing the water to evaporate. Depending on the temperature and humidity, if a swamp cooler is working properly, it can reduce temperature to 72.3 degrees Fahrenheit (22.38 degrees Celsius), which is inside the human comfort zone.
Even though swamp coolers use less energy compared to other cooling systems. There are few effective techniques to improve their performance. We looked into the best swamp cooler hacks to improve their efficiency. Continue reading to find out more information.
Most Effective Swamp Cooler Hacks
We did some research and interviewed a few specialists. We’re going to share a couple of their ideas with you. Here are 15 swamp cooler hacks you should know –
Remove Any Dirt on The Swamp Cooler
For your swamp cooler to work best, ensure it doesn’t have any dirt composition around it. You should scrape off the minerals from tap water, preventing the coolers tubes from transporting water. When there’s too much mineral composition in such areas, it will result in air and water blockage, affecting the swamp cooler’s normal functioning. A scraper can help you scrape off the additional layer that forms because of mineral deposits on the tubes, reducing such dirt.
You should also clean the coolers fans and intake grills to remove dirt like leaves, dust, or bugs. Doing this will help reduce blockage on these vital parts, which helps the swamp cooler function properly. Use mild soap and a soft cloth to clean out these areas and help maintain proper functionally. It’s better if you can get a brush for cleaning. If you’re interested, check out this brush.
Mixiflor Rust Removal Wire Brush
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Place Houseplants Around the Swamp Cooler
Another hack that will help your swamp cooler work effectively is placing houseplants next to it. Remember, when a swamp cooler is on, it produces moisture which can be tricky to control. However, this will not be a problem when you have houseplants, as the plants will use up the moisture. Plus, the plants will help provide enough oxygen supply in the house making indoor air fresh. So, plant these humidifier plants like cacti, lilies, or English ivies and help your swamp cooler work well.
Open Windows When the Swamp Cooler Is On
Swamp coolers work best when there’s adequate airflow. This means you need to open the windows to avoid having the equipment work in a constricted area. However, not opening the windows interferes with this machine’s normal functioning, which will not help you get the desired results. Leaving the windows open will also help bring in fresh air from outside while the moisture from the swamp cooler escapes, making the environment conducive. Find the ideal spot where the cooler will get sufficient airflow to make your house less humid to get the best result.
Ensure The Water Pump Are Well Lubricated
Also, help your swamp cooler work without a hitch by lubricating it. You can buy the best lubricants for the water pump and use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid messing it up. But also, ensure there’s adequate flow of water to prevent the cooler pump from drying up. When the pump is lubricated, the cooler pads will also be in good shape, enabling your cooler to perform better. Lubricate your water pump during every maintenance but don’t forget to do so in the summer.
Use The Swamp Cooler Together with A Humidifier
When your house is too hot that even opening the windows won’t help introduce a humidifier. The humidifier will extract the moisture from your swamp cooler, making the house comfortable to stay in. you will only have to empty the humidifier’s tank. This is the right hack for those who live in hot areas or during summer, as it helps your body cool down with ease. To enable the two machines to work efficiently, put the humidifier next to the swamp cooler’s intake grille. Doing this will help improve the airflow on the cooling pad resulting in fast evaporation of the moisture.
We listed a few popular humidifiers which will help you extract the moisture from your swamp cooler. But we always advise you to talk with professionals or do some research before making any purchase.
AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier [Adjustable -360°]
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Pure Enrichment MistAire Studio Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
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Myst Ultrasonic Humidifier by Miko
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Buy A Swamp Cooler If You Live in A Dry Area
There’s nothing that will help you save on the costs of buying additional equipment, like a humidifier when you’ve got a swamp cooler. This is because this equipment can double up as a humidifier in humid areas. The reason to use a swamp cooler in hot areas is that it produces moisture which will help humidify the house reducing the effects of too much heat indoors.
Also, the evaporative cooler will work best in this area as it depends on water evaporation to function effectively. An arid area, in this case, will encourage water evaporation making your device perform better than when you’d have used it in a wet area.
We are listing a few portable evaporative coolers with Cool and Humidify Function, but we always advise you to talk with professionals or do some research before making any purchase.
SUNDAY LIVING Low Noise Swamp Cooler
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Evaporative Cooler with Humidify Function [Remote Control]
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Refill with Cold Water
Don’t assume that hot water will help aid fast evaporation making your swamp cooler give the desired results in no time. No. Instead, use cold water from your tap, which is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike warm water, cold water will help cool the dry coolers, which reduces the swamp cooler’s effectiveness.
Do Regular Maintenance
If you want your swamp cooler to serve you for the longest time possible, repair it often. Maintenance will also enable you to run the evaporative cooler for long hours in a day without experiencing a major hitch. This means you need to also clean and inspect various parts of the machine to ensure everything is in perfect shape. It’s advisable to do more checkups when you regularly use the swamp cooler during the hot days to prevent further damage that can incur additional costs.
Areas you need to pay keen attention to include the swamp cooler’s fans, pump, tank, and intake grills. And when not in use, like during winter, clean the device before storing it to avoid rusting or encouraging mold growth on wet surfaces.
Prime The Cooler Pads
You also need to test if the cooler pads are operational by wetting them to see if they’ll absorb the water effectively. Doing this will prove that they can suck up the water to stay wet when the swamp cooler is running. This test can take about 15 minutes but will save you from high maintenance costs when the pads get damaged.
Note that the cooler pads need to stay wet for the evaporative cooler to work. Once it gets dry, the device will automatically stop functioning. Ensure that you fill the water tank before switching on the swamp cooler and give the pads time to absorb the water. This hack will help you preserve energy as the swamp cooler won’t need to blow hot air before achieving its cooling capacity. You can check this out for taking care of your cooling pads.
Don’t Use Ice on The Swamp Cooler
Even though swamp coolers require cold water to work, ice will not help it at all. Remember, ice has to melt before becoming water which will take a lot of time, making the swamp cooler to experience challenges getting a steady water supply. So, instead of aiding the evaporation process, you’ll be delaying it and not be able to achieve the cooling effect at home. Also, ice will make the swamp cooler consume a lot of energy in its bid to melt it down and have enough water to work.
Identify The Right Spot for Your Swamp Cooler
Swamp coolers are meant to work on specific spots like in a room and not the entire house. This needs you to identify the right location to help you achieve the desired temperature with ease. Place it away from blockages like furniture that can restrict airflow towards your direction, making it ineffective. Let the swamp coolers fans face you to get enough cool air in your direction. You can check the size of the room and the recommended area of use for the swamp cooler to get maximum effect. The right square footage for your swamp cooler is next to the label of airflow rating, so you can check and know the ideal size of the room it should be used in.
Add Blinder Curtains on The Window
Additionally, you can help your swamp cooler work best by adding blinder curtains on the windows or doors. This will help reduce the amount of heat passing through them to the house, which improves the house’s temperature. In this case, your swamp cooler will not struggle to cool the house as the blinders reduce its workload.
Refill The Swamp Coolers Tank with Filtered Water
Reduce the amount you’ll spend doing repairs on your water pump by using filtered water. The filtered water will not cause mineral buildup, which results in blockage. If you don’t regularly clean up the mineral blockages at the end, you’ll have to replace the tubes or pumps as they’ll not allow free water passage. In addition, you will have to dig deeper into your pockets to make your swamp cooler operate without difficulties which are not recommended. For this reason, buy a water filter if you don’t have one and enable the cooler pads to have enough water supply.
Clean On a Regular Basis
Cleaning your swamp cooler improves its performance. Cleaning the intake grills and fans of your swamp cooler on a regular basis to avoid them becoming clogged with bugs, dirt, or derbies. Wipe them down with a soft cleaning cloth; you may use mild soap while cleaning them. If you like, you can also use a soft brush.
Draining and Flushing the Cooling Reservoir
Draining and flushing the cooling reservoir on a regular basis is another way to keep your swamp cooler running smoothly. It’s important to keep the reservoir clean so that water may flow easily through the unit during the unit’s operation. Flush the reservoir at least once every one to two weeks to maintain it free of dirt and pollutants.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a swamp cooler stop working due to humidity?
Swamp coolers use water evaporation to cool the outside air. They are generally designed to work in low humidity levels. But when the humidity level gets over 70-80%, the swamp coolers reach the limit. If this happens, the cooler will perform less efficiently, causing the room or space to heat up.
Does the swamp cooler increase humidity?
The shortest answer is yes, Swamp Cooler raises humidity. However, it is dependent on the outside humidity level, outdoor temperature, desired temperature, and type of evaporative cooling system employed.
Bottom Line
Sometimes it’s the simple things that can prevent your swamp cooler from meeting its expected output in your house. But you can outdo this by using the best swamp cooler hacks and getting a comfortable room to stay in. when using a swamp cooler, remember to refill it with cold water, open the windows and add blinder curtains. Also, do regular maintenance, position it well, and don’t forget to clean it. But most importantly, use a swamp cooler in hot areas to get the best results within no time.
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