Optimising performance of an evaporative cooler and for best results in humid conditions
Description: Evaporative coolers are a fantastic way to keep your home cool and fresh, especially in dry climates. Sometimes, they can cause moisture build-up, leading to increased humidity in your home. This article explains why this happens and provides practical tips to manage and reduce moisture build-up, ensuring you enjoy the full benefits of your cooler.
Solution:
Why Does My Evaporative Cooler Cause Moisture Build-Up?
By design, evaporative coolers add moisture to the air as part of the cooling process. Modern evaporative coolers, especially those using Chillcel material, are highly efficient at evaporating water, which results in lower air temperatures and enhanced cooling effects. While this is excellent for cooling in dry conditions, it can lead to moisture build-up if the outdoor humidity levels are high.
How to Overcome Moisture Build-Up:
Maximize Ventilation:
Ensure your home is well-ventilated by opening windows and doors. This allows moist air to escape and fresh air to circulate, creating a pleasant and airy environment.
Use exhaust fans in areas like the kitchen and bathroom to help remove excess humidity and keep the air fresh.
Smart Usage:
Operate your cooler during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, when the air is naturally less humid. This helps maintain a comfortable indoor climate.
If the indoor humidity becomes too high, consider turning on vent-only mode for a while to let the air balance out.
Regular Maintenance:
Clean the cooler regularly to keep it running efficiently and ensure the air stays fresh. This includes cleaning the water reservoir, pads, and other components.
Replace the cooling pads as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure optimal performance and a consistently cool air.
Optimize Fan Speed and Exhaust:
On humid days, select the maximum fan speed to enhance airflow. The higher the fan speed, the better the cooling effect.
Increase exhaust openings to let moist air out. Open doors and windows to ensure adequate ventilation.
At night, consider running the cooler on vent-only mode when outside temperatures drop. This can be especially useful if security concerns limit door and window openings.
Simple Rules of Thumb for Ventilation:
In every room with air conditioning vents, ensure the exhaust area (open window or door) is at least twice the size of the vent.
Open windows or doors furthest from the air conditioning vents or ducts for better airflow.
If running the unit at high fan speed, a door should stay slightly ajar without slamming shut. If it does, increase the exhaust area.
A piece of tissue paper should not stick to the fly screen when the unit is running. If it does, increase your exhaust area.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the cooling benefits of your evaporative cooler while maintaining a comfortable and fresh atmosphere in your home. Embrace the refreshing air and stay cool!
EXTRACTS FROM OWNERS MANUAL BELOW:
