Horses hate the heat, just like we do. Imagine standing in a hot barn or stable all day long in the blistering summer sun. The heat tires you out, makes you dehydrated, and puts you at risk for heat-related illnesses. While humans can walk back into the air-conditioning and get a cold drink, your horse can’t.

Fortunately, there are powerful cooling systems for stables and barns like portable evaporative coolers that keep horses safer, cooler, and more comfortable. In this article, we’ll show you how to recognize signs of heat stress in horses, treat it, and prevent the issue through effective equine facility cooling solutions.

So, do horses really get heat stress?  

Like humans, horses can develop serious heat-related medical conditions. Horses are at a greater risk for heat stress, in fact, due to their body composition. They have less surface area relative to their mass, so they don’t have enough skin to adequately cool themselves down through sweating. Humans can handle exercise in the heat for up to 10 times longer than horses, meaning that by the time you start feeling hot, your horse has already been struggling to regulate their temperature for several minutes. 

A horse’s normal body temperature should be between 98-101ºF. Horse heat stress, also known as horse heat exhaustion, occurs when a horse’s body temperature rises to 102ºF or greater due to excess heat. If left untreated, this serious condition can progress to equine heat stroke or even death.   

Signs of heat stress in horses:  

• Excessive sweating, or less sweat than expected
• Very hot or very cold skin
• Muscle weakness and fatigue
• Stumbling
• Rapid breathing
• High heart rate that doesn’t recover after exercise
• Increased body temperature of 102-106ºF
• Dehydration or signs of it, like cessation of urination, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity

How to treat heat stress in horses  

If you suspect that your horse is developing heat stress, stop all physical activity and work to cool your horse down using the tips below. If your horse is still showing signs of equine heat exhaustion after 15-20 minutes of cooling, contact a veterinarian for medical care.   

How do I cool down a horse?   

• To cool down a horse, follow these steps: 
• Stop all exercise and move your horse to a shaded, cool area. 
• Gradually wet the horse with cool—not cold—water. 
• Fans may help, passing air over the horse’s wet skin for a small cooling benefit. 
• Help the horse stay hydrated by giving it a small amount of drinking water every 15 minutes.  

When it comes to heat exhaustion, prevention is the best medicine. Use methods like evaporative cooling systems for stables to protect horses during the summer months and protect them from long-term health risks associated with heat.  

What are the best ways to cool equine facilities?  

Uncooled equine facilities put horses at risk for heat stress in barns and stables. Confined spaces trap the horses’ body heat and make indoor temperatures hotter than outside temperatures.      

To keep horses healthy and safe, invest in effective barn and stable cooling systems.  

Horse barn fans  

Once the air temperature gets above 75° F, fans start to lose their cooling effectiveness for animals. Equine stalls with fans only circulate air, they don’t cool it. The cooling effect actually comes from sweating, which just like humans, is a horses natural form of evaporative cooling. Circulating air can make sweating more effective, but only up to a certain point.  

A University of Kentucky study confirms that fans have little impact on the air temperature in a barn. When researchers attempted to use box fans to direct air either into or out of the stall, the temperature was even hotter – about 3.5° F above outside air temperatures. The study concluded that “without an active air conditioning or evaporative cooling system, it is not possible to truly cool a barn or stall with a fan.”  

Stable misting systems  

Misting systems combine fans and water to provide a cooling effect. This combination makes misters a better cooling option than barn fans. However, misting systems also release water into the air, which lands on hay, leading to issues with mold and mildew. While this helps prevent horse heat stress, barn misting systems can create other health problems with the added humidity and health risks.

Evaporative cooling for stables 

Evaporative cooling is a natural, animal-safe option for equine facilities. Portable evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, take in hot air, pass it through water-soaked evaporative media, and then release the cooled air back into the environment. This process can reduce air temperatures by up to 30ºF.  

Since they only need water and electricity, and don’t use any toxic chemicals or refrigerants, evaporative coolers are a great choice to help keep horses cool. They also use minimal electricity, making them a more eco-friendly and cost-effective horse barn cooling system than traditional air conditioning.  

Comparing barn cooling methods 

Portacool evaporative coolers are the best choice for keeping horses cool   

Horse breeders, equestrian trainers, and veterinarians trust Portacool barn cooling systems to deliver unparalleled cooling for their animals all year long. Our APEX® Series comes in a variety of sizes to cool anything from small stables to large equine facilities.   

Dave Archer show horses  

Equestrian trainer Dave Archer relies on Portacool evaporative coolers to keep his horses safe, healthy, and comfortable. His large equine facility includes: 41 stalls, a 200’ x 120’ outdoor riding area, a 60-foot round pen, a large pasture and five turnouts (two large, three small).   

“When we place the Portacool in the alley way, we can easily get a 15°F drop and keep it cool in a manageable way. It’s important we keep our clients’ horses safe from the negative effects of heat and Portacool evaporative coolers allow us to do that.” – Dave Archer  

Protect your horses with Portacool  

With Portacool evaporative coolers, your horses can stay cool and comfortable. Protecting your horses from excessive heat keeps them safe, healthy, and happy.  

Find your local Portacool dealer to provide the best cooling solution for your barn, stable, or equine facility today. 

Large warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities are notoriously difficult to cool. Low insulation, high ceilings, metal roofs, and hot machinery create spaces that are 20-30°F hotter than the outside air. If you are located in hot, dry places like Texas, Arizona, or California, that can spell trouble for your business and your employees.  

Fortunately, advanced industrial cooling systems like industrial evaporative coolers can help you safeguard your people and your profits. Let’s examine the pros and cons of large evaporative coolers and see how they stack up against traditional cooling systems like HVAC and fans.  

Effective cooling boosts productivity and profits 

In an industrial work environment, every added degree matters. The higher the temperature, the higher the impact on your workers, your equipment, and your bottom line.   

When you invest in efficient and effective cooling, the ROI is clear: 

• Higher productivity: Productivity drops by 4% for every degree above 80ºF. The right warehouse cooling solution puts temps in manageable ranges and boosts productivity. Use our calculator to see how much cooler temps can impact your business.  
• Increased safety: Overheated employees are more prone to accidents, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which lead to costly downtime and medical claims. Cooling helps people stay comfortable and careful. 
• Lower turnover: Comfortable environments reduce absenteeism and employee turnover, cutting hiring and training costs. 
• Reduced equipment downtime: Overheated machines are more likely to fail. Effective warehouse ventilation and cooling help protect your critical assets. 
• Energy savings: Energy efficient systems like industrial evaporative coolers can save you big time on electricity and maintenance bills. Portacool evaporative coolers use up to $1 a day in energy and require little maintenance. 

 What’s an industrial evaporative cooler? 

Industrial evaporative coolers are high-performance cooling systems. They use the natural process of evaporative cooling to deliver powerful heat relief. Evap coolers take in hot air, pass it through water-saturated evaporative media, and blow cool air out.  

Unlike air conditioners, industrial swamp coolers don’t use harmful refrigerants or require expensive ductwork. They’re ideal for warehouses, factories, logistics hubs, and industrial facilities with open bay doors and high heat loads. 

What are the benefits of an industrial evaporative cooler? 

Industrial evaporative coolers are a robust, scalable cooling solution for your warehouses and manufacturing facilities.  

We designed the Portacool APEX® Series with your needs in mind:  

• Cooling power: The APEX 4000 and APEX 6500 deliver extreme cooling to spaces as large as 6,500 square feet.  
• Energy savings: Save on energy bills without skimping on performance. Portacools operate on up to $1 a day of electricity.  
• Seamless scheduling and syncing: With CoolSync™ Technology, you can manage your evaporative coolers from a phone or tablet using the Portacool app.  
• Portability: APEX coolers can be moved easily throughout your facility, allowing you to target the hottest problem spots.  
• Easy installation and maintenance: Installation only takes a couple of minutes. Just fill up or connect your Portacool to a water supply and plug it in and it’s ready to go. Maintenance and troubleshooting are just as simple and cost-efficient. 

How do industrial evaporative coolers compare to HVAC and fans? 

Industrial evaporative coolers can complement existing HVAC systems or fans. They can also completely replace these traditional cooling methods. That’s because warehouse evaporative coolers help you get the best of both worlds: powerful cooling and energy savings. They also offer features that you can’t get with HVAC or fans, like cost-efficient cooling and portability.  
 

Real-world impact of industrial evaporative coolers 

Industrial evaporative coolers make a meaningful impact where HVAC and fans fail. For Mauser USA, the largest drum-making facility in America, the difference was game-changing.  

To cool their sweltering 150,000 sq ft facility in Texas, Mauser turned to Portacool. Backed by the power of 33 coolers positioned throughout their plant, employees remained cool, even in the hottest zones near ovens and heavy machinery.  

“We rely on our Portacool evaporative coolers to help make a very hot environment comfortable for our employees.” – Mark Allen, Metal Division Plant Manager, Mauser USA 

With Portacool, Mauser not only kept their employees safe, they also regained valuable productivity with fewer breaks and higher output. 

Which industrial evaporative cooler is right for my business? 

No two warehouses or manufacturing plants are the same. When calculating your facility’s cooling needs, consider:  

• Facility size and layout: calculate square footage and identify hot zones. 
• Airflow needs: determine air change rates and CFM requirements. 
• Climate conditions: evaporative cooling performs best in dry and semi-humid environments. 
• Access to power and water: Portacool units require only 120V power and a water source. 

Generally, hot, dry regions will see the greatest temperature drop from evaporative cooling, but coolers can make a noticeable difference in any space that has open bay doors or access to outside air.  

Use the Portacool Buying Guide to explore your options and find the right APEX industrial evaporative coolers for your business.  

Investing in industrial cooling pays off 

With the right cooling strategy, your warehouse or manufacturing facility doesn’t just get cooler. It runs smarter, safer, and more profitably. At Portacool, we don’t just sell evaporative coolers, we believe in them, cooling our Texas facilities with our own APEX Series.  

It’s time to protect your workforce, cut costs, and boost productivity with the best cooling systems for your industrial operations. Find a Portacool dealer today to explore your cooling options.  

Warehouses are some of the toughest spaces to keep cool. High ceilings, constant forklift traffic, and large bay doors make it nearly impossible for air conditioning to keep up without driving up electricity and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, industrial fans reduce costs, but have limited impact as they can’t cool the air.  

The ideal warehouse cooling system will save money on your cooling costs, protect your workers, and increase productivity. If these are your top priorities, then evaporative cooling is likely the best solution. In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose the right evaporative cooling system for warehouses and industrial facilities.  

How to determine your warehouse cooling needs 

To pick the right industrial evaporative cooler(s) for your warehouse, you need to consider four main factors: your warehouse size and layout, as well as your ideal air change rate and your airflow needs.  

How big is your facility? 

For optimal warehouse cooling, start by figuring out the size of the space(s) you need to cool. The average size for a warehouse in the U.S. is 17,000 square feet, with small warehouses ranging from 10,000 sq ft to 25,000 sq ft. Larger warehouses may exceed 500,000 sq ft.  

How many zones do you need to cool? 

Consider the layout of your warehouse. To avoid hot pockets, place evaporative coolers where airflow won’t be blocked. Areas that are walled off by large shelving or equipment, or have instruments that give off a lot of heat, may need a separate evaporative cooler to adequately maintain airflow and cooler temperatures.  

We recommend looking at your warehouse blueprint and layout and dividing spaces into unique cooling zones. Then, calculate the square footage of each zone and choose an appropriately sized industrial evaporative air cooler for that space.   

What’s your ideal air change rate? 

Air change rate (ACH), or room refresh rate, is the number of times that the air in a space gets refreshed with outside air. For warehouse cooling systems, the typical air change rate is between 6 – 30 times per hour. Your space may have additional airflow needs, depending on occupancy, indoor air quality, and whether you have any machinery or chemicals that emit harmful fumes.

What are your airflow needs? 

To achieve your ideal air change rate, you need to choose an evaporative cooler with the right airflow to ensure that enough fresh air is circulating. For warehouses, the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard for minimum airflow rate is 0.06 cubic feet per minute (CFM) for every square foot. That means that a 17,000 sq ft warehouse would need a minimum of 1,020 CFM.  

To calculate the ideal airflow for your warehouse or zones within your warehouse, use the following formula or a free CFM calculator:  

CFM = (Volume of your space X ACH)/60 

How many evap coolers do I need for my warehouse? 

Depending on the size and layout of your warehouse and your airflow needs, you may need multiple portable evaporative coolers to achieve the optimal level of cooling. You can use the Portacool Buying Guide to find the best evaporative cooler for each of your warehouse cooling zones.  

For example, a large 100,000 sq ft warehouse with two main loading areas and lots of storage space may only need a few large swamp coolers like the Portacool™ APEX 6500 to maintain a safe and efficient working environment in high traffic zones. Meanwhile, a smaller 20,000 sq ft chemical processing warehouse with multiple working zones might need several small to mid-sized evaporative coolers like the APEX 700 or APEX 2000.  

Additional factors to consider 

An evaporative cooler can lower surrounding air temperatures by up to 30ºF. To make the most of your warehouse cooling system, you should also consider the following factors:  

• Climate: Evaporative cooling works best in dry and semi-humid environments where water evaporation provides a maximum temperature drop. 
• Power access: Portable evaporative coolers need a little bit of electricity to run (up to $1 a day). When considering the number and size of coolers your warehouse needs, check to see that your cooling zones have adequate access to a standard 120V electric outlet. The APEX Series can also run on extension cords up to 50ft long.   
• Water access: Evap coolers also need water to work. Every Portacool APEX cooler, from small to large, has built-in water reservoirs that can be filled as needed. They can also be connected directly to a water supply.  

Designing your smart warehouse cooling system 

Portacool makes it easy to manage multiple warehouse evaporative coolers remotely from your smartphone or computer. Each of our APEX coolers are equipped with CoolSync™ Technology, which connects seamlessly to the Portacool app.  

Sync and schedule your warehouse coolers 

With the Portacool app, you can assign coolers to different groups and personalize the settings and schedules for each group. Adjust fan speeds, power the units on or off, and schedule run-times to ensure a comfortable working environment.  

Streamlined multi-unit management 

Monitor all of your industrial coolers from your phone or computer. The Portacool app helps you track water levels in each cooler and can send out notifications for cooler status and any connectivity issues. You can also set up automatic firmware updates to maximize performance and take advantage of new features.   

Scale your cooling system as you grow 

Add more evaporative coolers as your cooling needs change. With the Portacool app, you can add new coolers to existing groups and ensure cooler settings are consistent across your zones.  

Cool your warehouse with confidence 

Whether you’re running a 50,000-square-foot facility or managing a multi-building complex, you can count on Portacool to keep your teams safe and productive in high temp conditions. We make it easy to customize cooling across your warehouses, while saving on costs.   

Find a Portacool dealer or contact our Customer Care team today to explore custom industrial cooling solutions for warehouses and large facilities. 

Heat can have a major impact on your bottom line. So can running an ineffective or expensive cooling system in the workplace. In high temps, workers slow down, mistakes happen more frequently, and energy bills climb, all while managers scramble for solutions and relief. That’s why choosing the right industrial cooling solution isn’t just about comfort. It’s about the return on your investment (ROI). 

In this article we will dive into the variables that impact your cooling costs and savings, guide you through calculating productivity and ROI, and what to look for when comparing common cooling systems from HVAC and fans to evaporative coolers. 

Invest in cooling and maximize ROI 

In hot warehouses, auto shops, and construction zones, cooling directly impacts your bottom line. The ROI of your cooling system can be measured across multiple aspects of your business, from energy costs to employee health. The right cooling solution isn’t just a short term solution, it’s an investment in your long-term success.  

Keep employees safe 

When temperatures rise above 75ºF, employee health and your profits get put in jeopardy. High temperatures can cause heat-related medical conditions and lead to large hospital bills for your employees and your business. Overheated employees are also more likely to make mistakes, take time off, or leave the company.  

Boost productivity 

OSHA guidelines recommend that employees take frequent breaks in hot conditions. While these breaks can help reduce the risk of heat stress, they don’t change the reality that heat affects cognition and performance. In fact, productivity drops by 4% for every degree above 80ºF. That means that productivity drops by 20% at 85º! This decline can quickly add up to thousands of dollars lost per workday.  

Cut energy costs 

Invest in an energy-efficient cooling system that delivers the benefits of cooling while cutting your electricity bill. While cooling systems like air conditioners may offer eco-friendly or energy-saving modes, those settings cut cooling performance without making much of a difference on your bottom line. 

Industrial cooling method cost comparison 

Most cooling systems are either inefficient, expensive to set up, costly to maintain, or all of the above. Traditional HVAC systems like air conditioning drive up monthly electric bills and require constant servicing. Meanwhile, industrial fans are more reliable and energy efficient, but they only move air around, they don’t cool it.   

However, evaporative coolers deliver the best of both worlds. Providing a high-performance, cost-effective solution. Portable warehouse evaporative coolers can reduce surrounding air temps by up to 30ºF, while only adding up to $1 a day to your power bill. They can work as stand-alone systems, pair with other evaporative coolers to cool large areas like warehouses, and/or complement an existing HVAC system or industrial fans.  

Let’s see how these workplace cooling methods stack up:  

How to calculate ROI on your cooling system 

How do you know if your cooling system is truly effective? You can calculate your ROI by considering the upfront and annual operating costs as well as impacts on productivity. With the formula below, you can calculate how much you could save by investing in a more effective cooling solution.  

1. Calculate upfront costs 
   1. Total purchase price 
   2. Installation and setup fees  
2. Consider product lifespan and warranty 
   1. Factor in product lifespan, warranty, and replacement cycles 
3. Quantify productivity gains 
   1. Use our Productivity Loss Calculator to estimate the impact of heat on your productivity and profits. 
4. Calculate your payback period 
   1. Divide the upfront cost by your annual savings to see how quickly the solution pays for itself. 

 Project long-term savings 

Once you’ve effectively paid for the cooling system with productivity gains, you should consider operational costs and how much you could save by using a more energy-efficient system like portable evaporative cooling: 

1. Find the average kWh usage of your cooling system. This info should be in a product manual or owner’s guide.  
2. Multiply that by the number of hours you run your system, and the average cost per kWh in your state to estimate your energy costs for one month.  
3. Add up your maintenance costs for one year, then divide by 12 to estimate the maintenance cost per month. 

 The hidden value of better cooling 

Choosing the right high performing, cost-effective cooling system not only delivers a tangible impact on your bottom line, it also delivers short and long-term benefits for your team. 

• Employee satisfaction & retention: Keep your employees comfortable, and they’ll keep coming back. Look to evaporative cooling or HVAC systems. Fans don’t cool the air, so they won’t have as much of a positive impact on employee happiness. 
• Sustainability: Evaporative coolers use water and electricity to naturally cool the air. Industrial fans also have a low environmental impact, but minimal cooling benefit. Meanwhile, HVAC systems drive up energy costs, while the refrigerants and chemicals used for cooling can be harmful to your team and the environment.  
• Flexibility: Portacool portable evaporative coolers are built with rugged wheels and built-in handles, making it easy to conquer the heat in spaces where traditional cooling systems like HVAC and fans can’t reach. Portacool APEX® Series coolers also come equipped with CoolSync™ technology, enabling you to control your climate from the palm of your hand. 

Rethink workplace cooling with Portacool 

Your business is in it for the long haul. Invest in a workplace cooling solution that grows with you over time. Portacool evaporative coolers are the best choice for both immediate and long-term ROI. 

Explore the Portacool Buying Guide to find the right industrial evaporative cooler for your facility or find your local Portacool dealer today.   

Keeping livestock comfortable year-round is important for their health and productivity. While many animal owners invest in blankets, insulated stables, or heaters to keep their animals warm in the winter, heat management is equally important. In the summer, high temperatures can lead to heat stress and serious medical conditions for animals like horses, cattle, goats, chickens.  

In this blog, we’ll explore how heat impacts livestock, what to do about it, and how to keep them cool all year long with barn cooling solutions like evaporative coolers. 

What are signs of livestock heat stress?   

Livestock change their behavior in the cold and the heat. When it’s too hot, animals’ bodies will try to cool down naturally. Animals capable of sweating may start to perspire or move to a shadier spot. At some point, the air temperatures may be too hot for their cooling mechanisms to work. They’ll be at risk for heat stress and more serious medical conditions like heat stroke. 

Watch for these subtle signs of heat stress in animals. When they’re too hot, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, and horses will do one or more of the following: 

• Pant, with mouths open and tongues out 
• Have an increased respiration rate 
• Drink more water and eat less 
• Be restless, moving around too much 
• Be lethargic, standing or sitting in one spot for an extended period of time 
• Salivate or drool more 
• In severe cases, they may become unconscious 

How hot is too hot for barn animals? 

Some livestock can handle the heat better than others. For example, goats and sheep have wool which insulates against the cold as well as the heat, and their body temperatures are naturally higher than most other animals. Thanks to their protective features, goats begin to get heat stress at 82°F.  

Pigs can’t sweat and can begin to show signs of heat stress at just 70°F. Cattle can get heat stress at even lower temperatures, while high-producing cows start to overheat at 65°F due to their eating habits and increased body heat. Chickens can also begin to display heat stress behaviors at 65°F, while temperatures of 100°F or more can be fatal.  

This makes it critical for ranchers and farmers to invest in livestock cooling systems that work for a wide range of animals. 

How do I keep farm animals cool in hot weather? 

Keeping farm animals cool helps them stay comfortable and healthy, even in hot weather. You can help livestock stay cool in hot weather by: 

• Ensuring animals have plenty of cold water to drink 
• Adding more shade to grazing areas 
• Putting insulation under hot metal roofs to reduce heat transfer 
• Avoiding touching or transporting cattle  
• Using evaporative coolers for barns and livestock pens to lower air temperatures 

Are evaporative coolers safe for barn animals?  

Evaporative coolers for livestock—also known as swamp coolers—are perfectly safe for animals. Unlike air conditioners, evaporative coolers don’t use any refrigerants or chemicals. Evaporative cooling is a natural process that just uses water to cool the air by up to 30°F. An evaporative cooler draws in hot air, passes it through water-saturated evaporative media which cools the air, then circulates cooled air back into the space.  

This makes evaporative cooling a safe and effective barn cooling solution for animals. 

Keeping animals cool in barns and covered livestock buildings 

High temperatures and poor ventilation are common problems for barns and covered livestock buildings. These spaces usually don’t have insulation to keep the heat out. If there isn’t enough space in each stall, or animals are too close together, their body heat can increase the air temperatures and contribute to barn heat stress. Hay and bedding can also complicate the matter, as this should stay clean and dry for animal comfort.  

Unfortunately, fans can’t cool the hot air in your barn, they just move it around. Misting solutions can help animals cool down temporarily, but the extra humidity from the air can increase the heat index and contribute to heat stress.  

Evaporative cooling is typically the best solution as it cools the air and releases minimal humidity, making it perfect for semi-open spaces like barns, stables, and livestock facilities with or without hay. 

Keeping animals cool in transport zones and holding areas 

Mobile or temporary areas lack built-in infrastructure to keep animals cool in the heat. Worse yet, temporary transport zones and holding areas are usually built with uninsulated metal, leading to heat retention and animal discomfort.  

Portable evaporative coolers for livestock transport are your best option to avoid animal distress and keep your livestock cool. Cooling solutions like portable evaporative coolers can be easily moved across spaces, providing flexible cooling wherever it’s needed. They can go anywhere your animals go, keeping them safe from heat stress.  

Portacool evaporative coolers are the best choice for keeping livestock cool  

Ranchers, wranglers, and farm owners trust Portacool to deliver unparalleled cooling for their animals all year long. Our APEX® Series evaporative coolers cover a broad range of spaces to fit your exact cooling needs. From stalls and kennels to feeding areas and grazing areas, Portacool evap coolers can transform spaces of any size, from 500 sq. ft. or less to 6,500 sq. ft.  

Battle of the Cattle 

Portacool evap coolers were key to protecting show cattle from heat stress at the Battle of the Cattle event in Dallas, Texas. Over 40 contestants rented APEX 4000s to keep their cattle cool in the staging area, an open-style pole barn. Easy to set up, the APEX 4000 was ready to go after filling up the water tank, plugging it in, and turning it on.  

Dave Archer show horses 

Equestrian trainer Dave Archer uses Portacool evaporative coolers to keep his horses cool and comfortable. All of our coolers have wheels, making it easy to add targeted cooling wherever your animals need it most. For David, that’s 41 stalls, a 200’ x 120’ outdoor riding area, a 60-foot round pen, large pasture and five turnouts (two large, three small). Best of all, our coolers cost less than $1 a day per day to operate, leading to major cost savings regardless of the size of your space.  

“When we place the Portacool in the alley way, we can easily get a 15°F drop and keep it cool in a manageable way. It’s important we keep our clients’ horses safe from the negative effects of heat and the Portacool evaporative cooler allows us to do that.” – Dave Archer 

Your animals deserve the best in cooling 

Portacool evaporative coolers are designed with both animal comfort and operational efficiency in mind. All you need to do is plug the cooler into a power source, add water, and turn it on to begin cooling your space. Whether you need to cool a small stall, a large barn, or an outdoor grazing area, you’ll be able to find the perfect cooling solution with Portacool.   

Find a Portacool near you 

You can keep your animals safe from heat stress and make them feel comfortable, even in the hottest parts of summer. Find a Portacool dealer near you to learn more about picking the right livestock cooling system for barns, stables, and animal operations. 

Outdoor events sound great on paper. They offer event planners more flexibility with the number of guests that can fit in a space and present added opportunities for creativity. (Sure, that outdoor wedding can have a bounce house or petting zoo.) Guests also love these events as they get to breathe in fresh air and not be confined inside with a crowd. Yet in practice, outdoor events can be make or break depending on the weather—and whether organizers have planned for their guests’ comfort with reliable outdoor cooling solutions. 

That’s why we’ve put together this guide for outdoor event cooling. We’ll show you how to keep your guests cool at any outdoor event, from weddings and festivals to concerts, sports, graduation ceremonies, and more.  

Why are cooling solutions critical for outdoor events? 

We’ve all been there. Sweating through a nice outfit, using our hands to fan our hot faces, waiting in a line to grab a cold drink. Best case, we have so much fun at the event that we forget our discomfort and the 100°F temperatures. Often, we leave early, frustrated and potentially writing a bad review. Worst case, suffering from heat exhaustion at outdoor events, which can turn into a serious medical condition like heat stroke.  

As an event planner, you can help your guests avoid these uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situations by choosing the right cooling solution for outdoor venues.  

How do you cool guests at an outdoor event? 

From ice cold water and portable shade to evaporative cooling stations, there are many ways you can keep your guests comfortable in the heat. 

When choosing event cooling equipment, consider:  

• Cooling power: Can you lower ambient air temperatures?  
• Mobility: Is your solution portable? Is it easy to set up?  
• Durability: Will it handle outdoor conditions like rain, wind, and direct sunlight?  
• Power and water usage: Can you keep it running for the whole event without a lot of upkeep? 

What are the best ways to cool guests outside? 

To cool guests at an outdoor event like a wedding or concert, consider a reliable solution like evaporative cooling. This natural process requires water and electricity as the evaporative cooler pulls in hot air, passes it through water-saturated media, and then blows out cooler air.  

Portacool APEX® Series portable evaporative coolers provide a lot of cooling power—lowering air temperatures by up to 30°F. Our largest unit, the APEX 6500, can cool a large area up to 6,500 sq ft. That’s bigger than your dance floor, catering tent, or dining area. 

Do evaporative coolers work outside? 

Unlike traditional air conditioning, evaporative coolers (also known as swamp coolers) can work well in indoor and outdoor spaces. In fact, evap coolers need access to fresh air for maximum efficiency. This can be an open door or window, or a totally open space like a patio or park.  

To use your Portacool evaporative cooler for outdoor events, simply wheel your cooler to the desired location, add water, and plug it into a power supply. Our coolers are energy efficient, making them easy to power with a generator. They also work with extension cords up to 50ft. long. 

Why fans and shade aren’t enough for outdoor cooling 

Event planners usually turn to fans or shading structures to keep guests cool. Yet these popular solutions don’t have enough cooling power for large outdoor events. 

Fans can only recirculate hot air, not cool it. Fans with misting systems can make your guests feel cooler, but they also get wet, which can lead to more discomfort and ruin clothing. Misters also use more water and can require constant refills. 

Shade structures can lower surrounding air temperatures by 15°-20°F. Yet this may not be enough cooling power to protect your guests from discomfort or heat exhaustion. Shade structures also require additional setup and are difficult to move around as the sun and shadows shift throughout the day. 

Setting up a cooling station for outdoor events 

Keep your guests comfortable and cool for the entirety of your event. Whether it’s a concert, wedding, or corporate picnic, you can position your outdoor evaporative coolers to maximize cooling.  

Positioning evaporative coolers for maximum comfort 

Place your evap coolers near crowded, hot zones like: 

• Places with heavy foot traffic (entrances, food and drink lines) 
• Uncovered seating areas 
• Catering tents, kitchens, grilling areas, or stage lighting 
• VIP or lounge areas 

You can also pair your portable evaporative air cooler with a shaded structure to protect guests from hot temperatures and the sun.  

Make your events memorable with Portacool 

Portacool evaporative coolers are the perfect solution for outdoor events like weddings, concerts, graduation ceremonies, corporate picnics, and more. Your guests may not remember the exact menu, song list, or intricate decorations. But they will remember how you made them feel. By using the best outdoor cooling solutions, you enhance their experience and make your event memorable for the right reasons. 

Our buying guide makes it easy to find the perfect cooler for your venue and taking a stressful part of planning out of the equation. With Portacool handling the cooling, you can focus on what matters most, creating the perfect moment for your guests. 

At Portacool, people are at the heart of our company. Our purpose is supporting the health, safety, and success of our employees, customers, and communities. As we’ve grown from a local business into a global leader in portable evaporative cooling solutions, we’ve remained deeply connected to our roots. That’s because our 35+ years of success are intertwined with our home in Center, Texas.   

Join us on this journey and see how our people-first philosophy comes to life through workforce development, manufacturing career opportunities, and community-centered corporate social responsibility.  

Investing in workforce development 

We distribute Portacool evaporative coolers across all 50 states and globally. Yet every single evaporative cooler we sell is made with pride, right here in Center, Texas. Staying close to our roots allows us to focus on our employees, supporting both their growth and safety. We don’t just create jobs. We help people build lasting careers in manufacturing and skilled trades. 

Internal growth and advancement 

At Portacool, we work, grow, and learn as a family. We’re honored to have employees like James Miles stay with us for 10, even 20, years. It’s a testament to our tight-knit culture and endless opportunities for career advancement in manufacturing. 

Our team members enjoy benefits like:  

• Supervisor training programs 
• College tuition reimbursement 
• Scholarships for our employees’ dependents 

Employee success stories 

We value our team members’ contributions and are committed to their success. Through our continued education and training benefits, we help people pursue their dreams. 

• Jasmine Goodwin joined us as an hourly team member in 2021. Since then, she’s completed our hourly supervisor training program and started college classes utilizing our tuition reimbursement program. She is currently a Quality Supervisor and expected to graduate in the early 2026.  
• Bianca Espino started as an HR administrator in 2020. With the support of our tuition reimbursement program, she was able to graduate from SFA in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in business. Now, she works as our HR supervisor. 

These two examples show just a small slice of what’s possible at Portacool. We support our employees, helping them take charge of their futures and achieve their best.  

Education and skill-building partnerships 

In addition to our employees, we also offer education and skills development support to people in our community. Portacool makes it possible for kids, teens, and adults to access specialized training, education, and scholarships.   

Our community education initiatives include: 

• Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) grant training 
• Supervisor Leadership Training at Tyler Junior College  
• Lean Manufacturing 
• TWC Teacher Externship Program 
• Standing Center Roughrider Scholarship 

The Center of corporate social responsibility 

As a key employer and community partner, we are proud to contribute to the local economy, provide jobs, and support initiatives that strengthen our hometown. Center, Texas, is where our kids play and go to school, our loved ones work and relax, and our local organizations volunteer their time to make our town great. By investing back into our community, we’re investing in our future. That’s our commitment to corporate social responsibility.  

Facilitating playtime at Portacool Park 

We built Portacool Park to create a fun, safe place for people of all ages to get together. From families to churches and local businesses, folks are laughing, playing together, and staying cool with our outdoor evaporative cooler stations. 

Building a better future together 

Portacool isn’t just a manufacturer, we’re a community partner and employer of choice. We treat our employees and their loved ones like family. Through training, education, and career advancement opportunities, we invest in our team members and help them become the best versions of themselves.   

Their success contributes to our company’s future. We’re continuously evolving as a business and introducing new product lines like the Portacool APEX® Series portable evaporative coolers. By innovating for our customers, we create more resources to reinvest in our people and our community. 

As an industry leader, Portacool has more resources to reinvest in our community. Through upskilling programs, scholarships, and workforce development initiatives, we’re supporting the next generation of skilled workers and building a more resilient workforce.  

Grow with Portacool 

We offer opportunities for everyone to learn and grow. Whether you’re a high school student curious about trade school, or a skilled professional looking to take their career to the next level, you can count on Portacool to support your journey.  

Follow us on LinkedIn and stay tuned for news, community stories, and open positions.  

If your dog lounges in the garage, your cats nap in a sunroom, or you have chickens or rabbits in the backyard, keeping them cool and safe in hot weather is critical. Like people, pets are also vulnerable to heat-related medical conditions like heat stress and heat stroke. 

At Portacool, we provide pet-safe, mist-free cooling solutions that work indoors and out, helping you protect your pets from the dangers of extreme heat. In this blog, we’ll show you how to keep your furry or feathered family members cool at home with evaporative cooling. 

Why heat safety is essential for pets at home 

Your dog or cat feels the heat before you do. Animals are more vulnerable to heat and heat-related conditions than humans. That’s because their bodies use different cooling mechanisms, like panting, which aren’t as effective in extreme heat. And unlike humans, they can’t just get up and change their clothes, put ice in their water, or take a cold shower to quickly cool down.  

How do I know when my pet is too hot?  

People sweat when it’s too hot, and this cools us down through a process called evaporative cooling. Unfortunately, dogs and cats can’t sweat so they try to cool down by panting or using their environment.  

Signs of heat stress in dogs and cats indicating that your pet may be too hot include: 

• Excessive panting or drooling 
• Fatigue, weakness, or difficulty standing 
• Rapid breathing and elevated heart rate 
• Bright red gums or tongue 
• Vomiting or diarrhea 

What are the heat risks for dogs, cats, and small animals? 

Just like in humans, heat can cause serious medical conditions in your pets, like heat stroke, dehydration, and organ failure. Overheating can affect their heartrate and respiration, hydration and feeding, and their behavior.   

“Heat can have detrimental effects on dogs in the summer. Because dogs don’t sweat, their bodies can become overheated quickly.” – Dr. Jennifer LaVigne, veterinarian  

Dogs, cats, and other small animals like rabbits, birds, and chickens are sensitive to higher temperatures. Even if you feel fine on a 75°F day, your pets may already be overheating. When the temperatures start climbing, their bodies can’t cool down fast enough. 

Common trouble spots in homes 

Animals try to use their environment to cool down. That’s why your dog loves to run through the sprinklers or dig into the cool dirt. Your cat splays out on tile floors or hides in the shadiest spot under your bed. Your bird, hamster, or rabbit drinks all their water.   

Help your pet stay cool by treating the trouble spots in your home: 

• Garages, sheds, and sunrooms with little to no insulation 
• Poorly ventilated patios and outdoor kennels 
• Sunrooms and rooms with large windows 
• Upstairs areas with no cooling 

Pet-safe cooling for your home 

You may already have air conditioning in your home, and you leave it on while you’re out for work. Air conditioning for pets can keep them cool while you’re away, but it may not be cooling down those troublesome hot spots. Furthermore, your pet’s kennel or cage might not have adequate ventilation, turning into a heat trap. Fans can help move the hot air around, but they can’t actually cool it.   

For targeted animal cooling, look to portable evaporative coolers. 

How to keep pets cool without A/C 

Unlike air conditioning, evap coolers can be wheeled around to deliver powerful spot cooling. While fans move around hot air, evaporative coolers actually cool the area down. Portacool evaporative coolers can lower the air temperature by as much as 30 degrees. 

Are portable coolers safe for pets? 

Portable evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are safe for humans and pets, and are ideal for cooling garages, sheds, and outdoor pet areas. 

• No chemicals or refrigerants: Portable evap coolers only use water and electricity. 
• Mist-free: Unlike misters, evaporative coolers keep fur, bedding, and litter dry. 
• Safe for sensitive ears: Portacool APEX Series evap coolers operate at the same volume as a dishwasher, making them safe for pet and human ears.   

How to keep pets cool during a power outage  

Make sure your pets have plenty of water and move them to the coolest parts of your home. To protect them, and yourself, from the heat, use a generator to power an evaporative cooler. Portable coolers use up seven times less electricity than air conditioners, making them a more reliable cooling solution during a blackout. 

Choosing the right cooler for pet spaces 

Portable evaporative coolers are a simple, safe solution for animal cooling. For versatile solutions that fit anywhere inside, and outside, your home, look to the Portacool APEX® Series.  

How do I keep pets cool inside? 

Safely cool your pet’s favorite spots in your home. With an evap cooler, you can add targeted cooling to tight spaces, like kennels, cages, and garages.  

Cooling spaces for pets: 

• Position the APEX 500 near your pet’s kennel or cage to deliver targeted heat relief 
• Use the APEX 700 or APEX 1200 to cool a larger space like a garage 

How do I keep pets cool outside?  

Portacools work both indoors and outdoors, anywhere there’s access to fresh air. Just add water to the reservoir or connect to a hose, and power your cooler through an extension cord. Outdoor pets like backyard chickens, rabbits, or dogs all benefit from cooling with APEX units. 

Choose the right size evap cooler for your pet space: 

• For small patios, decks, and kennels up to 700 sq. ft., use the APEX 700. 
• For medium-sized patios up to 2,000 sq. ft., use the APEX 2000. 
• For large patios and kennels up to 6,500 sq. ft., use the APEX 6500. 

Cooling you—and your pets—can count on 

Your four-legged best friends deserve the best. Keep them cool and comfortable all summer long with a portable evaporative cooler. Portacools are pet-safe and portable, designed to provide targeted heat relief all over your home. From patios and decks to garages and kennels, portable coolers can lower temperatures by up to 30 degrees.  

Visit a Portacool dealer near you to find the perfect cooler for your pets.

That afternoon slump doesn’t have to be business as usual for your auto shop. Heat from heavy machinery, hard labor, and open bay doors builds up all day, making your employees uncomfortable and slowing down productivity. We’ll show you how to increase shop efficiency by cooling down your garage with evaporative cooling and help your techs stay safe, focused, and productive.  

How hot is my garage?  

Most auto repair shops aren’t designed with hot temperatures in mind. They’re built with standard cinder block walls, metal roofs, and little to no insulation. This can turn your shop into a solar oven—with your garage getting up to 20°F hotter than the outside air. Open bay doors add to the problem, making traditional air conditioning for auto shops costly and ineffective. 

“It can get up to 98-100° F inside the shop. I can’t work in that kind of heat.” – Shannon Aikau, lead builder and bike manager at Count’s Kustoms.

How does heat disrupt auto shop performance? 

Most people feel naturally tired in the afternoon, thanks to our circadian rhythms. Unfortunately, afternoons are the hottest part of the day. High heat compounds fatigue, tanking productivity and impacting safety.  

Hot working conditions decrease productivity by as much as 4% for every degree above 80°F. An 85°F space could tank productivity by 20%. 

Hot working conditions are dangerous 

All that heat inside your garage isn’t just bad for productivity and profits. It’s dangerous for your employees and your business.  

Hot working conditions can: 

• Increase the risk of heat-related medical conditions 
• Heat exhaustion 
• Heat stress 
• Heat stroke 
• Greater risk of mistakes, accidents, and injuries due to fatigue 
• Increased medical costs due to workers’ comp claims 

Evaporative cooling improves auto shop safety and efficiency 

To protect your employees and maintain optimal workflow, your auto shop needs a cooling system built for open spaces and heavy-duty conditions. Unfortunately, fans and air conditioners aren’t effective cooling solutions for garages with open bays. Fans simply circulate hot air, while air conditioning systems struggle with heat loss and high energy costs. 

Evaporative coolers (also known as swamp coolers) are one of the best cooling solutions as a cost-effective and energy-efficient way to cool open, industrial spaces. These coolers reduce heat stress, improve air circulation, and significantly enhance overall auto shop efficiency.  

What is evaporative cooling? 

Evaporative cooling is a natural process that uses water to cool the air. Evap coolers take in hot air, run it through water-saturated media, and circulate it back into the environment.  

Why is evaporative cooling the best cooling solution for auto shops? 

Open bay doors, high ceilings, and metal structures that trap heat are the perfect conditions for industrial evaporative coolers. Unlike traditional HVAC systems, these coolers work with outside airflow rather than against it. 

Key benefits for using evap coolers in auto repair shops include: 

• Powerful cooling: Reducing temperatures by up to 30 °F 
• Energy savings: Costs as little as $1 a day to operate 
• Portability: Portacool evap coolers are mounted on wheels for easy, targeted cooling 
• Increased productivity & comfort: Improving morale and retention in demanding workspaces 

Choosing the right evaporative cooler for your auto shop 

To choose the right evaporative cooling system for your auto shop, consider 3 main points: 

• Shop size: Determine your square footage and the number of open bays. 
• Targeted cooling zones: Identify workstations, lifts, or tool areas that need direct airflow. 
• Airflow requirements: Consider cross-ventilation and strategic placement for maximum results. 

Choosing the right size evaporative cooler 

The Portacool APEX® Series offers a wide range of evaporative cooler sizes.  

• For small areas and spot cooling under 700 sq ft, choose the APEX 500 or APEX 700. These models have a front-facing air intake—so you can place them against flat walls and save even more space.  
• For mid-sized spaces under 2,000 sq ft, consider the APEX 1200 or APEX 2000. 
• For large spaces under 6,500 sq ft, opt for the APEX 4000 or APEX 6500. 

Cool your auto shop with cross-ventilation and targeted cooling 

Portacool APEX coolers can lower shop temperatures by up to 30°F—even when bay doors are fully open. For best results, use multiple coolers for cross-ventilation. 

To keep his Count’s Kustom’s shop cool, bike manager Shannon Aikau uses two Portacools for cross-ventilation. He places a smaller unit by the interior door of the shop, and a larger unit by the exterior doors. This gets the shop temperature down to a comfortable 75°F-80°F range. Without Portacool, Shannon says his work product just wouldn’t be the same. 

The final tune-up: cooling that works for you 

Don’t let the heat slow you down. Shift your auto shop work into high gear with evaporative cooling. Keep your teams stay safe and focused with a smarter solution, offering more cooling power and efficiency than air conditioning and fans.  

Portacool APEX coolers are built for the hottest environments and fit into any space or corner. Ready to take the next step? Visit your nearest Portacool dealer to learn about our auto shop evaporative coolers.  

Have you ever walked by a river or lake and noticed a sudden, refreshing drop in air temperature? That’s evaporative cooling at work. To recreate this natural cooling process in your home or workspace, evaporative coolers use water, fans, and specially designed evaporative media.  

In this article, we’ll dive into the science of evaporative cooling media and explore the tech behind the best media on the market—Portacool’s HydroTek™ evaporative media.  

What is evaporative media? 

Evaporative media, also known as evaporative cooling pads, are the key component of an evaporative air cooler. The removable, corrugated media absorbs water and cools hot air as it passes through an evaporative cooler like the Portacool APEX® Series.  

How do evaporative cooling pads work?  

Evaporative cooling pads are installed on one side of a swamp cooler, with a fan on the other side. With the right evaporative media, an evap cooler can make a space up to 30°F cooler.  

Evaporative cooling in 3 simple steps 

1. A water distributor saturates the evaporative media with water.  
2. Hot air passes through the wet media.  
3. A fan circulates the newly cooled air around a room or open space.

What’s the best evaporative cooling media?  

Evaporative cooler brands typically design a custom cooling pad for each cooler. From generic brands to market leaders like Portacool, pads can vary based on size, materials, quality, and longevity.  

How to find the best evaporative media for your cooler: 

• Choose media that’s easy to install and maintain.  
• Look for anti-mold and mildew properties to help keep your media clean. 
• Pick media that is specifically designed for your cooler to maintain efficiency.  

For the best in evaporative media, consider Portacool’s HydroTek™ evaporative cooling media, designed for both residential and industrial evaporative cooler applications. 

Why should I choose HydroTek™ evaporative media? 

HydroTek™ evaporative cooling media deliver unparalleled cooling and better air quality with less maintenance. 

• Designed for maximum cooling: HydroTek™ is engineered with an expanded surface area comprised of unique 15-degree and 45-degree flute angles. Our innovative design improves airflow and velocity, increasing cooling efficiency.  
• State of the art materials: HydroTek™ media is made with reinforced cellulose fibers and specialty resins, leading to enhanced water absorption and optimized cooling for both small and large swamp coolers. 
• Durable edge-coat for peak performance: Our HydroTek™ evaporative media is coated in a special edge coat, which repels algae and guards against UV damage. This coat keeps your media clean and enhances durability in the toughest environments. 
• Higher quality means lower maintenance: HydroTek™ evaporative media’s design reduces debris accumulation, preventing clogging and ensuring optimal performance. With regular care and maintenance, our evaporative media can last up to 5 years before needing a replacement.  

Evaporative cooling pad maintenance  

Protect your investment and get the most out of your portable evaporative cooler, season after season. With regular maintenance, you can keep your portable evap cooler and media clean and running smoothly. Additionally, you can follow these Do’s and Dont’s to maximize the longevity of your evaporative media.  

Do’s 

• Check that your evaporative media is evenly wetted. Avoid dry streaks.  
• Allow your media to completely dry every 24 hours. Portacool APEX Series coolers automatically dry the media as part of their shutdown cycles.  
• Keep your evaporative media clean and remove mold, mildew, and lime deposits.  
• Use household bleach to remove mold, mildew, or algae. 
• Treat your water if you notice any scale deposits. Use household white vinegar to remove any lime deposits on your evaporative media.  

Don’ts  

• Don’t use chemicals that are harmful to the evaporative media or the environment. 
• Don’t put your cooling pad in direct sunlight.   
• Don’t miss monthly maintenance cycles.     

Choose HydroTek™ evaporative media for long-lasting cooling 

For powerful cooling that protects your family, employees, or animals, trust the experts at Portacool. Cheap cooling pads wear down and need frequent replacement. HydroTek™ evaporative media delivers superior performance for industrial, commercial, and residential evaporative coolers, saving you thousands in replacement costs. 

Unlock long-lasting cooling. Contact your local Portacool dealer to upgrade or replace your current evaporative cooler pads with HydroTek™.