Anybody own an Evaporative Air Cooler?
 

I was going to buy an AC but most of them need to be installed in the window. The side of my house would look rediculous with one of those things jutting out the side.

Anyway I was reading up and saw an alternative to buying an AC.

Anyone own of these things? How do they work for you?

Isnt that just a fancy name for a swamp cooler?

I think so...

Anyway do they work?

Yeah, but not as well..

Bought one anyway...

Should save money on the electric bill :thumbsup

i had a 36" port-a-cool fan for my 2400sq foot garage in texas. According to my thermometer, the air coming out of it was 16 degrees cooler than the air going into it. Doesnt sound like much, but when it was 101 degrees outside and your fan is blowing 85 degrees, it makes a difference.

It would have worked better if the air in east texas wasnt so humid. The port-a-cool has a different media than a swamp cooler and has much more airflow and cooling capacity.

I wouldnt recommend one for the house though, unless you kept your windows open. Since it gets the cooling effect from evaporating water, it will raise the humidity in your home. And the more humid the air, the less cooling it provides.

http://www.portacool.com

did somebody say cooler ? :1orglaugh

yeah, now go evaporate

interesting

Well yes they do work but not as well as an air conditioner. The newer models are very effective at cooling if your house is not to big.
I am also a big time penny pincher. They use a hell of alot less electricity. I also see that your in California which is a good thing if you like saving money. PG&E has a rebate program that includes rebates for such coolers and pads. It will knock a crap load off the purchase price. That is assuming you do not mind saving money and all, I know for some that concept if foriegn.

I had them when I lived in Reno and they did a very good job!

Depends where you live...
if its humid or not

can somebody tell me how to do that? I'd like to "evaporate" someone else! :1orglaugh

All you need is a flamethrower :winkwink:

Evap coolers -- or "swamp coolers" have been a big part of Arizona for years...why? Cause they *only* work when the dew point outside is less than 50...in fact, if your dewpoint goes above 30, forget it...your house is a "swamp" and a warm one at that!

They are good here until mid-July or August...then, no dice.

Misery.

Cold showers.

And a lot of fans.

Hey zzgundamnzz,

I was very seriously thinking about getting one too...

Is this the model that you got???
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...A92523%3A14940

Can you PLEASE tell me if it works good? I mean, is it much better than a fan? My fan just blows hot/warm air and doesn't cool me. I can't install a window a/c because I cannot carry it, one weighs like 90lbs, that's how much I weigh! And I do not know how to install ANYTHING! This cooler looks good because it is light, only 30lbs so I can push it... Otherwise I would get a portable one, but those are heavy... So how do you like your cooler so far? Are you supposed to pour water into it???

No, that's an indoor unit.. he was discussing the window unit, which I'd recommend over the indoor one.

They need a constant water supply. You can get AC units that are either portable or weigh around 30-40 pounds which sounds best for you unless you have a large place then you would need a bigger AC.

So which unit did u get Zzgundamnzz ?

I have a portable A/C. I couldn't live without it. Literally.

Yea, but all of them are so damn heavy. I live by myself and I have no one to help me with anything so I gotta be able to manage it and carry it around. Those things weight over 100lbs...

They have wheels, so you can just push around from room to room. Of course, if you happen to have stairs... lol