Today, September
25rd 2014, and we will see a daytime high of 103° F. Perhaps more importantly the dew point will
be lower at 57 degrees, Our humidity
today will be in the 30 percent range so we are getting more toward our dry
heat feeling that the Phoenix Metro area is famous for.
Yes, our monsoon
season is winding down. While the daytime highs, on average, will still be high
eighties and nineties the air will dry-out and cooling for air conditioners or
even evaporative coolers will be easier.
Some folks use
piggy-back systems that combine the best of their air conditioners and a
evaporative cooler for days when the dew point is lower than 55 degrees.
The swamp
coolers cost much less to operate when compared to an air conditioner. When the
humidity is low some folks say that an evaporative cooler feels better to them
than an air conditioner.
Having a lower
energy bill may color that view of comfort as well. But, evaporative coolers
have several downsides. They require much more maintenance than AC Units. Since they use a wet media to achieve the
cooling effect water leakage can cause many problems.
Moist air moving
through the air ducts and over the control surfaces (that switch over when
going from AC to Evap mode) can have rust and calcium build-up which can cause
additional issues.
Some folks
suffer from mold issues after years of using evaporative coolers, though the
manufacturers claim that well maintained Evap systems are not the cause.
The
Environmental Protection Agency recommends between 30 and 60 percent humidity
in a house to keep down mold and mildew, and the humid air may keep your wooden
furniture from drying out. Unfortunately, it can also cause metal to rust, even
in the swamp cooler itself. The problem of excess humidity can be solved in
evaporative coolers by using a heat exchanger to heat air inside the house
while the humid air vents to the outside, but these systems are considerably
less efficient (and much more expensive) than direct evaporative coolers.
The media (pads)
needs to be cleaned or changed regularly to avoid that swampy smell and
associated problems with air quality. Minerals in the water can also build up
as water evaporates, requiring a bleed-off of mineral-rich wastewater over
time. The coolers also require a steady supply of water -- 3.5 to 10.5 gallons
an hour, according to the National Association of Home Builders. That can be a
tall order in the hot, dry climates where swamp coolers function best.
Many people are
concerned with the additional water usage from evaporative cooler while we are
well into a multi-year drought.
Looking for fast
and fair HVAC service? Aaron’s Mechanical Services wants you to stay
comfortable all year round. Most
important we want you to spend the least amount of money possible while you
stay comfortable. If your air conditioning system or HVAC unit needs service or
replacement please think of us and call at 623-388-4436 and we will come to you
and solve your cooling Unit’s service needs.
Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436
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