The cooling process relies on the replacement of warm air with fresh air. Cooler temperatures are achieved by introducing dry air to your home through open windows or ceiling vents. When it rains or the relative humidity climbs above 60%, evaporative coolers are not effective.
What to look for when inspecting a cooling system?
There are two types of evaporative cooler installation: central-location installations that blow cooled air into a single location, and ducted systems that deliver cooled air to multiple rooms. Ducted systems work best for larger houses with hallways and separate rooms. They are also easier to maintain than central-location installations.
Most evaporative coolers are mounted on the roof but can also be wall-mounted or ground-mounted. The location should be in a position that allows easy access to the unit for maintenance and servicing. Provision must be made for access to electricity and water supplies. It is important to ensure that the evaporative cooler is not in a position where water or debris could drain onto it from adjacent building roofs, gutters or downpipes.
Depending on the type of evaporative cooler you purchase, it is sized by cubic feet per minute (CFM), which indicates how many times the system can turn your home’s air over in one minute. Choose a size that matches your home’s square footage and the number of people who regularly occupy the room. Factors that can impact the CFM rating include the height of your home’s ceiling, sun exposure and room occupancy.
Be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintaining your evaporative cooler. Your cooler may need to be cleaned periodically or replaced with new pads as the season progresses.