Evaporative Cooler Air Conditioners?

[David]

What's the word on these? We are looking for something to cool our finished basement yet portable so we can put it in the guest room when we have family visit. Anybody know if these are worth the price tag?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=114854-420-MMB10A&lpage=none

 

[Black Dog]

That there's what used to be called a "swamp cooler". My understanding is that they work pretty well. Bear in mind that they do increase the humidity so using it in conjunction with a standard a/c unit (which remove humidity) will have them fighting eachother. Because they add moisture to the air they work well in arid climates like Arizona but they'd work fine in VA too.

 

[David]

That there's what used to be called a "swamp cooler". My understanding is that they work pretty well. Bear in mind that they do increase the humidity so using it in conjunction with a standard a/c unit (which remove humidity) will have them fighting eachother. Because they add moisture to the air they work well in arid climates like Arizona but they'd work fine in VA too.

It's something that would work in my finished basement?

 

[David]

My thermometer is reaching 76 down here already.

 

[cvm4]

I've always heard swamp coolers don't work so well in humid climates.

 

[Black Dog]

After a quick search I think Cliff is right. It appears they rely on airflow from outside to work effectively which means opening doors and windows to create a breeze. In a VA summer that just means you'll be blowing hot, muggy air around your basement.

 

[David]

10-4. Will look into a window unit for down here.

 

[Headbanger]

I would not add humidity in my basement. I have to run a dehumidifier even when the AC is on most times during humid months or when it rains. Last thing I would want is more humidity down there.

 

[AZsteelman]

Living in the desert, I know about evap coolers.. They are useless when the dewpoint reaches 55 degrees...after that, they are just pushing dampness around..less than that and they are fantastic!

 

[BradMc]

Headbanger

I would not add humidity in my basement. I have to run a dehumidifier even when the AC is on most times during humid months or when it rains. Last thing I would want is more humidity down there

I hear what your saying, I run a dehumidifier almost year round, it is on a thermostat, so when it needs to run it is on....
We don't use to many Evap. Coolers here either our RH is always high here unless we have 4 to 5 feet of snow on the ground, But that is why we live in MN wait 15 min and it will change......

 

[David]

Went with a 12,500 BTU window unit. It is cooling things down nicely in the basement.

 

[Terrasco]

Swamp coolers are way to humid, even in West Texas. Great when I lived in the desert but won't work in VA.

 

[caudio51]

Went with a 12,500 BTU window unit. It is cooling things down nicely in the basement.

Nice, gotta love AC! :smokingme

 

[cvm4]

Went with a 12,500 BTU window unit. It is cooling things down nicely in the basement.

Very nice! I also know that they make portable a/c units that aren't swamp coolers. Believe, I've thought about getting one a time or two. But they're in the $350-$500 range.

 

[GuyMcBeerdrinker]

I sell port-a-cool units, which are evap coolers. good job on not purchasing one for your basement. they work great outdoors, not where you are shut-in.