Dalco Heating and Air Conditioning
 

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Keeping the Front Range Comfortable
 
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Swamp Coolers

As you learn about this type of cooling you will most likely get familiar with the term evaporative cooler rather than swamp cooler… after all who wants to cool their swamp. All bad humor aside, this can be a very effective means of cooling in our climate.

The Cold Facts of Evaporative Cooling

    

Evaporative cooling in not a new idea. In fact, it's as old as nature itself. Did you ever wonder why you feel cooler by an ocean or river? It's because of natural evaporation. A sea breeze feels cooler because hot air is blown over the water causing some of the water to evaporate and absorb heat. The air becomes a refreshing breeze. In fact, the hotter and dryer it is, the faster the water evaporates and the cooler the air becomes.

  • Evaporative cooling is a type of air conditioning that relies on the circulation of fresh air through a damp pad.
  • As the air is pulled through the pad by a multi-speed fan, the water evaporates drawing heat and dirt out.
  • The result is healthier, fresh, cool, clean air in your home or office!

Because evaporative cooling is a simple and is a completely natural process, its benefits are many.

Unlike refrigerated air conditioning, it uses no CFC's that harm the environment. It also uses far less electricity, thereby saving energy, natural resources and as much as 80% on running costs compared with refrigerated air conditioning.

And because evaporative cooling continually brings in air from the outside, rather than recirculating the same stale, dry air over and over again, it's much healthier and kinder to sensitive noses, eyes and skin. Evaporative cooling filters the air and provides a complete air change every few minutes, guaranteeing a steady stream of fresh air.

If you are an Xcel Energy Customer, you may be eligible for a $200 rebate when an evaporative cooler is installed in your home.
 

Evaporative Cooler Shut Down – General Procedures
 
Tools:
A medium adjustable wrench (or two, see below) and maybe a sturdy flat-head screwdriver.
If you do not have a cooler cover, a measuring tape and pencil/paper will be useful. Measure the cooler and invest in a cover. This will prevent heat from going up through the roof and air from blowing
 
Fall maintenance is all about water...
 
First, shut off the water supply.
Find the water source by following the tube from your cooler. Usually the water supply is connected one of two places:
The hot water heater (the tube usually will emerge from the roof), or an outdoor water spigot.
Occasionally it is found under the kitchen sink or at the water valve for the toilet.
 
There will be a small valve between the water source and the supply tubing to your cooler. Shut off the small valve attached to the cooler tubing by turning the valve clockwise until it stops. Sometimes the valve is difficult to turn; use the adjustable wrench for leverage. Usually just a little extra muscle is necessary. The valves are a little delicate, so use some care.
 
At this point, use the adjustable wrench to disconnect the water supply line. Disconnect the line above the valve. If the brass nut connecting the tubing to the valve is really tight, hold the valve-piece with the extra wrench just to keep from loosening the connection at the water source.
 
Once the cooler-line is disconnected, make sure water is not dripping from the valve, and tighten as appropriate. If you simply cannot get the water to shut off, then the valve will need to be replaced. If the supply line is attached to the water heater via a punch/needle valve, then you should add a second valve to the line using a straight connecter between the 2 in-line valves. If you can shut off the water at the source, just replace the valve that has become tired and worn out.
 
Remove the tube & empty your pan.
 

DALCO Heating and Air Conditioning
Evaporative Cooler Shut Down Procedures
 
Next, open the cooler panel closest to where the water supply line enters the cooler. There will be clips at the top two corners of the panel; the panel will tilt out from the top, lean it toward you and lift it out. If there are no clips, there will be a handle cut-out in the center of the panel at the bottom edge. If the panel is stuck, use the screwdriver to gently loosen the panel at the bottom edge. Then reach in at the cut-out and slide the panel up about an inch from the bottom edge, tilt by pulling the panel out toward you, then slide the panel down and out.
 

Inside the cooler, in the bottom of the cooler pan will be a plastic overflow tube, near the center of the pan. It will unscrew from the base, or it will simply twist out. Remove the tube and lay it on top of the squirrel cage, near the motor mount. It will stay there safely and undisturbed until the spring. The water will run out of the cooler pan.
 
While the water is running out, use the adjustable wrench to disconnect the tubing from the float valve. Hold the float valve in place with one hand while loosening the brass nut connecting the tubing to the float. This will keep the float valve in position and prevent the need to reallign it next spring. Once it is disconnected at both ends, BLOW out the tubing to remove all the water in the tube. This is very important. There will be no water left to freeze and split the tubing over the winter. The job of reconnecting everything in the spring will be easy, and there will be no need to buy replacement tubing.
 
Should you unplug the pump?
 

Unplug the pump at the cooler or turn off the service disconnect at the cooler. This is the switch that is up at the cooler (not in all cases) that shuts off power to the unit so that it can be serviced. The only reason to do this is to prevent accidental startup in the winter and running a dry pump. Running a dry pump will result in a pump replacement in the spring.
 
Cover that Cooler
 
If you have a canvas cover for the cooler, now is the time to put it on. If not, take note of the measurements and whether your cooler has a side or down vent. Buy a cooler cover or not.
 
Now, before you relax, please make sure your furnace is ready for winter. Feel free to call us for a complete check up.