Swamp Coolers

[Mr.Clean]

We've heard a lot on here about A/C and how much they raised your business but how many have had to deal with frozen coils due to all the moist air that your tumblers are putting out? I have A/C and temps hit 106 yesterday and 109 today. The temps are forcast to stay this way for the next week then maybe back to our usual mid to high 90's.

I have been considering an evaporative cooler for some time but unsure as to how effective they would be in the laundry. If anyone out that has one let me know how effective it is for you.

Thanks

Mr.Clean

[laundryboy]

I'm in the midwest. Lots of humidity. Swamp coolers work best when the outside has lower humidity. They work best in dry regions of the country.

I have three laundries; 2 with coolers, and one in a center with a 25 ton A/C unit. I HATE to turn on the AC - only once so far (yesterday) - and record temps.

The stores with coolers were definatly warm and slow. The real advantage to the swamp cooler is the air flow. Think of them as pushing the hot air out of the building. They use water to raise humidity and thus make the air 'feel' cooler as it moves out of the building. A/C is needed here several days a year, as this year is so far, maybe a lot more!

I am concidering A/C - have for the last 3 years.

[laundryboy]

I order parts from the link below. They are always helpful.

http://www.coolercenter.com/aboutus.html
Tell them you saw their link on Coinwash.com. And to please become a Sponsor of Coinwash.com too

[Ken]

Swamp coolers don't work in high humidity area at all,I got rid of all my coolers.

[mjwalsh]

If you have a fairly steady flowing of the city water it tends to be very cold especially up north. We improvised starting about 4 years ago with a small stainless steel Grundfos pump & an old finned heat exchanger. Fairly simple controls are involved. It may not be a good fit for everyone but I believe it is more effective than a swamp cooler.

Mr. Clean, can you share with us an approximate fiqure that it costs you to use your air conditioner all day long on those 106 degree days. We should have some kind of realistic handle on those specific costs.

[BUBBA]

We have two 6500 cfm roof mount coolers. Most of our days are low humidity, so they work real well. Last week we had several days over 100 and the inside temp was in the high 70's. One thing you have to remember with swamp coolers is that you have to have some place for all that air to go. In our case we are pumping a lot of air into the building. So it is necessary to have a window or other opening to allow that air to escape. We have dampers that we open in the summer that allows the air to escape behind the dryers.

[kbc747]

I was thinking why has no one come up with a way to keep the water cool in a swamp cooler, wouldn't it work better the colder the water. Even doing this it would be cheaper than running an air conditioner. We freeze pail of solid ice and but them in to help and it sure seems to help.

[skyfather]

Was in a mat with swamp coolers once when outside temp was high 80's/low 90's. Didn't feel any cooler inside. Was debating whether to go with AC or swamp coolers. Think AC is better choice.

As for the ice scenario, just read about some Japanese automaker that cools a US plant with ice. Think it was Toyota or Honda. They basically freeze a very very large amount of ice overnight and use it the next day to add cool air to the ventilation system. Sounds like your pail version, only bigger.

[mjwalsh]

kbc747,

How big of an ice pail? How long does the pail of ice last before it is melted? I am thinking that maybe 3/4 filling some copper tubes with water, freezing & hanging them in front of my finned heat exchanger- blower contraption & swapping them out after they melt. If they didn't last long enough between melts, it might not be worth it though.

[pete f]

Was in a mat with swamp coolers once when outside temp was high 80's/low 90's. Didn't feel any cooler inside. Was debating whether to go with AC or swamp coolers. Think AC is better choice.

As for the ice scenario, just read about some Japanese automaker that cools a US plant with ice. Think it was Toyota or Honda. They basically freeze a very very large amount of ice overnight and use it the next day to add cool air to the ventilation system. Sounds like your pail version, only bigger.
In LA you need a/c just for the drying of air. Humidity adds to ther misery of cooing. I have a mini slpit 2.5 ton in 1 location, along with a 5 ton regular roof mount. The mini split has a cool or dry option. Sucking the mositure out of the air is 1/2 the battle in the south east.
I run the 5 ton regular, kick in the 2.5 in the afternoon About $900 a month electric yikes ▒

[kbc747]

kbc747,

How big of an ice pail? How long does the pail of ice last before it is melted? I am thinking that maybe 3/4 filling some copper tubes with water, freezing & hanging them in front of my finned heat exchanger- blower contraption & swapping them out after they melt. If they didn't last long enough between melts, it might not be worth it though.
I use a 1 gallon pail but the unit is on the roof o I have no idea how long it really lasts. I have only used it a couple of times so we will see.

[Mr.Clean]

If you have a fairly steady flowing of the city water it tends to be very cold especially up north. We improvised starting about 4 years ago with a small stainless steel Grundfos pump & an old finned heat exchanger. Fairly simple controls are involved. It may not be a good fit for everyone but I believe it is more effective than a swamp cooler.

Mr. Clean, can you share with us an approximate fiqure that it costs you to use your air conditioner all day long on those 106 degree days. We should have some kind of realistic handle on those specific costs.


Worst of times!! My A/C went out on me last week and we have been of 109 everyday since then. When this happens of course everyone else's a/c seems to die as well. I finally have an appointment in the morning to get the thing fixed. So to answer your question, I will let you know next month.

Mr.C