An evaporative cooler, often called a swamp cooler, is a device that cools air by evaporating water. It is also known as an evaporative air conditioner, swamp cooler, swamp box, desert cooler, or wet air cooler. It cools air by evaporating water. It works on the idea that as water evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings, cooling the air. Evaporative cooling is distinct from other air conditioning systems, which employ vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycles.
Evaporative cooling takes advantage of the fact that water absorbs a significant amount of heat in order to evaporate (it has a high enthalpy of vaporization). Dry air’s temperature can be dramatically reduced by the phase shift from liquid water to water vapor (evaporation). This can cool air with far less energy than refrigeration. In severely dry areas, evaporative cooling has the extra benefit of conditioning the air with more moisture for building occupant comfort.
The basic components of an evaporative air conditioner include:
- Water reservoir: Stores water to be used for evaporation.
- Pump: Circulates water from the reservoir to the cooling pads.
- Cooling pads: Typically made of a material that retains water and allows for maximum evaporation surface area.
- Fan: Draws warm air from outside through the wet cooling pads, where it is cooled by the evaporation process, and then pushes the cooled air into the living space.
- Air vents: Allow for the release of hot air and the distribution of cooled air.
Evaporative coolers are especially effective in hot, dry conditions with low humidity levels. They work by adding moisture to the air, therefore their usefulness is diminished in humid areas when the air already has a high level of moisture.
Evaporative coolers have the advantage of consuming less energy than standard air conditioners, making them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to operate. However, they may not give the same level of cooling as air conditioners, particularly in severely hot and humid weather. Furthermore, they require regular maintenance, such as cleaning and replacing the cooling pads, to ensure peak performance.
