How Evaporative Swamp Coolers Work
An evaporative cooler - also known as a "swamp" cooler - is
an efficient and effective cooling device. In dry, arid climates, this simple appliance can completely replacement as a standard air conditioning system. Because an evaporative cooler is powered only by water and a little electricity, it's a cost-effective way to stay cool. In fact, in ideal conditions, swamp coolers cost only pennies a day to operate.
The way a swamp
cooler operates is very simple. A low horsepower motor pumps the
water from the floor of the cooler to the top of the cooler, where it proceeds
to fall down the sides along porous filter pads. A second motor drives a fan
which pulls air from the outside, through the cooler, and then pushes it into
the hot room. When water evaporates as air
passes through the pads, you experience a cooling sensation. As hot
air enters the cooler, two small motors send this cool air throughout your hot room.