are Air Coolers better than Air Conditioners?

[Harry10]

are Air Coolers better than Air Conditioners?

i heard that Air coolers require just as much energy as a light bulb. i also heard that they only cost about a dime a day to run.

is that true? do they really work? can they adiquately keep a room cool?

[Gary D]

If you mean "swamp coolers", it depends on how dry your climate is. They rely on evaporative cooling. If you live in a dry climate, many/ most of your neighbors probably already have them. Yes they save over air conditioners becouse they mostly are a fan and a very small demand water pump to keep a mat wet. If this helps.. Gary D.

[John II]

John II adds.... BUT if you live in a humid climate, Evaporative coolers ( Swamp Coolers ) are nearly worthless.

John II

[troy]

In a humid climate, they're worse than nothing as they are terrific breeding grounds for mildew, molds, etc, and they won't make you any more cool.

In dry climates, they are the cat's meow.

Good luck, have fun.

From the dept of humidity regulation,

troy

[Gary D]

Thanks for clarifing guys. My answer was as clear as mud (as asual).

The reason air cooling tubes haven't caught on in Pa. is the probability of mold in the pipes... (another way of space cooling)  wasn't sure which type was being refered to... and why I've planted trees for shade ( not good down the road for windgenerators) Airconditioner here is used more for a hehumifier than cooling (added benefit)  Gary D.

 

[MelTx]

 Hello I live in fort worth the summer time temp last year ranged from 80 at night to 100 daytime and the humidity always 50 to 90 percent.This was a mild summer.I have a 8 x35 5th wheel trailer,what i did was not use the rooftop a/c. They use 220 vac @10 amps and cost about $125to$150 a month to run.Instead i went to lowes and got a 120vac- 5000btu window a/c unit removed a window and put it in.The new small unit cools better and cost less to run, about 16.00 a month.The newer units are so much more eficent,you have to see it to belive it.

[picmacmillan]

hi meltex...ya i have seen those little window airconditioners and i agree with you, they are very energy efficient and quiet too....they are the cats meow when you're looking for some air.....pickster

[hobot]

I'm no expert and not much to add to the above but have enjoyed

the cool breezes in Bombay India humid heat outside under tents

ventilated by plain or big fans blowing thru packing straw wetted

by tank above wicking the water down.

Also consider the labor intensive underground air channels

method to draw constant gound temp air thru, generally cooler

in summer and warmer in winter.

hobot

[TERRYWGIPE]

GARRY I TOO LIVE IN PA. PITTSBURGH, IN FACT, IF YOU FIND AN ALTERNITIVE LETME KNOW

                                    TERRY