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