[net.consumers] Evaporated Cooler vs Central Air

eagan@druxp.UUCP (EaganMS) (06/08/85)

It's getting hot out here and we are thinking of getting either
central air or an evaporated cooler.
I'd like any information on which is better, cheaper, etc....
If it matters any, we live in Colorado (where it is dryer than
for example, back East). I don't know if evaporated coolers are better
in certain parts of the country than other parts.

Thanks A lot!

Marianne Eagan

ihnp4!druxp!eagan

garys@bunker.UUCP (Gary M. Samuelson) (06/10/85)

> It's getting hot out here and we are thinking of getting either
> central air or an evaporated cooler.
> I'd like any information on which is better, cheaper, etc....
> If it matters any, we live in Colorado (where it is dryer than
> for example, back East). I don't know if evaporated coolers are better
> in certain parts of the country than other parts.
> 
> Marianne Eagan

We used to live in Tempe, Arizona (of which Phoenix is a suburb :-),
where we had what was called a "piggy back" system -- central air
conditioner and evaporative cooler (affectionately known as a "swamp
cooler" combined).  The evap. cooler was adequate for most of
the warm weather (which comprised most of the year !), and the
additional humidity was rather pleasant (the Phoenix area averages
less that 10 inches rain per year, and in the summer, 30 percent
humidity is considered muggy (at 110F, any humidity is considered
muggy).  During July and August, however, it was just too much for
the evap to handle -- if we left in on all the time, the temperature
would be tolerable, but the walls would get wet.  I would guess,
though, that in Colorado (what part? there's a lot of variety in
Colorado's climate) an evap would always be adequate.  If you
get a lot of 100+ days, maybe not.

Clearly, the evap is a lot cheaper, both to buy and to run.
There's just a water pump and a big blower (the "squirrel
cage").  Once a year, just before the season's first use, you
should replace the pads, (which only costs a few dollars) and
generally clean it.

The noise level is about the same, I think; although I remember
the evap making a lower pitched sound (rumble, rumble) than
the air conditioner (whirrr).

If I were going to move to Colorado (*sigh*), I would probably opt
for a swamp cooler.  If I were going to move back to Arizona
(*sigh**sigh), I would look for another piggy back system.

Other factors to help keep your cool:  good insulation helps a lot,
whether you have an evap or an air conditioner.  Attic vents help
by decreasing the temperature differential between the attic and
the interior (assuming you have an attic).  Ceiling fans are also
helpful (but there a pain to install, unless you're replacing an
existing ceiling light).

Gary Samuelson
ittvax!bunker!garys

jerry@oliveb.UUCP (Jerry Aguirre) (06/20/85)

> It's getting hot out here and we are thinking of getting either
> central air or an evaporated cooler.
> I'd like any information on which is better, cheaper, etc....
> If it matters any, we live in Colorado (where it is dryer than
> for example, back East). I don't know if evaporated coolers are better
> in certain parts of the country than other parts.
> 
> Thanks A lot!
> 
> Marianne Eagan
> 
> ihnp4!druxp!eagan

Evaporative coolers can depend not only on the humidity, but on the
water!  A high mineral content can reduce their reliability.

				Jerry Aguirre @ Olivetti ATC
{hplabs|fortune|idi|ihnp4|tolerant|allegra|tymix}!oliveb!jerry