Are you looking for an efficient and affordable cooling solution? If so, you’ve probably come across references to both evaporative coolers and swamp coolers. You might be wondering what’s the difference.
There is no true difference between these two terms. “Evaporative cooler” is a technically accurate name that describes how the device functions. “Swamp cooler” is a somewhat derogative slang term that describes what can happen to an evaporative cooler if you don’t take proper care of it.
Evaporative cooler is a term that describes how this type of air conditioning (loosely defined) works. Evaporative coolers take advantage of the fact that evaporating a liquid requires considerable energy. When that energy comes from the air, the air cools down. It’s the same effect that lets your body cool down by sweating.
Evaporative coolers maximize this effect. They create a situation where hot air can evaporate a lot of water. They do this with what is called an evaporative medium. The evaporative medium soaks up water like a high-tech sponge, but it also lets air pass through. When a fan pushes or pulls air through the evaporative medium, a lot of this water evaporates, cooling the air.
With one pass through an evaporative cooler, the air temperature can drop by 30° F. This lets evaporative coolers provide effective climate control even when you can’t trap or concentrate cooled air for multiple passes.
If evaporative cooler is a technical description of how the devices work, swamp cooler is an evocative one – and what it evokes isn’t always pleasant.
Where did this name come from? As with many slang terms, nobody knows for sure. The common assumption is that the name refers to what happened to old style evaporative coolers if they weren’t properly cared for.
Wherever there is standing water, there is potential for the growth of algae and mold. An evaporative cooler increases this potential by sucking in air that can be laden with additional resources for these microorganisms to feed on, including pollen, seeds, and other airborne debris.
To make matters worse, early evaporative coolers used evaporative media made of untreated wood wool, aspen wood fibers, also called excelsior. These fibers would degrade and break apart, falling into the reservoir, where they would mold and decay. This led to an evaporative cooler that looked and smelled like a swamp. So they were called swamp coolers.
These days, there’s no reason why an evaporative cooler should fit the name “swamp cooler.” With modern materials and design, it takes only minimal maintenance to avoid odors and contamination of your evaporative cooler.
Modern evaporative media like Kuul Comfort® are cellulose pads – like a special form of paper. They are much better at absorbing water without breaking down into debris in your reservoir. In addition, they are treated to inhibit the growth of mold and algae.
To avoid odors in your evaporative cooler, take the time to clean the unit once a week. In most Portacool models, you can start by shutting off the water pump while running the fan. This dries out the evaporative media. Meanwhile, drain the reservoir. Take out the evaporative media and clean out the reservoir with soap and water. Rinse thoroughly and dry fully. Then replace the evaporative media, refill the reservoir, and you’re good to go.
If you are looking for a way to keep cool in poorly insulated spaces, near heat sources, or outdoors, Portacool evaporative coolers are a great option. Well-designed to supply fresh air with only minimal maintenance, you will never have to describe them as “swamp coolers.”
To enjoy your own Portacool, please contact a local or online retailer.
The Portacool 510 is the newest addition to our product line. As the smallest and lightest Portacool evaporative cooler, it provides the ease and versatility you need to maintain a comfortable environment in small spaces.
Enjoy the cooling benefits of the 510 in a wide range of applications. It’s excellent for home workshops and backyard patios. Keep your small business workspace, retail shop, or gym cool on hot days. You can also bring the 510 along on RV trips and when you’re tailgating before a sports event on a hot day.
The Portacool Cyclone™ series provides powerful cooling in spaces where air conditioning simply isn’t a viable solution. These compact, lightweight evaporative coolers come on wheels, making them easy to move around your space to achieve cooling benefits in the precise area you need them.
With four distinct coolers in the Cyclone line, you’re guaranteed to find an option that meets your specific needs. The Cyclone is perfect for outdoor patios, home workshops, small businesses, retail shops, events venues, and gyms.
Larger work environments need a powerful cooling solution to maintain workers’ health, safety, and productivity when the temperatures get hot. The Portacool Jetstream™ series provides the cooling you need to avoid a work stoppage due to excessive heat.
The Jetstream is the evaporative cooler of choice in factories and industrial settings. It’s also an ideal solution for your auto garage, aviation hangar, farm, prison, or large events venue. With six models in the Jetstream line, you can customize your cooling to ensure optimal results for your unique space.
Effective cooling is vital in any work environment, but it’s especially crucial when combustible gases are present. These situations create unique challenges when trying to keep the environment cool. Fortunately, Portacool’s Hazardous Location series is specifically designed to meet the needs of petrochemical refineries, oil and gas exploration outfits, chemical production plants, fuel depots, and any other location where combustibles are a concern.
Our Hazardous Location evaporative coolers are ETL Certified for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups C&D hazardous locations. All electrical components are sealed to provide an additional layer of safety.
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