evaporative cooler

[JohnE]

Is anyone familiar with what exactly an evaporative cooler is?

I'm not exactly sure what one is, but I do know that an AC condensing unit is not one.

I did an inspection today and the contractor told me "my instructor told me I don't need a receptacle within 25' of the condensing unit because of the exception for evaporative coolers".

I told him he's wrong, and his instructor is wrong, (if he's getting the story straight) and then called my HVAC rep. I also told him maybe I'm wrong, but I'm open to further discussion. He tried to reach his instructor, but couldn't. BTW his instructor is one of the most highly regarded in this state.

My rep tried to explain to me exactly what this evaporative cooler is, and that they are not available in the northeast. They are typically used in the south to remove humidity from a system.

My rep assured me that nobody in the HVAC field would call a condensing unit an evaporative cooler.

Any thoughts from anyone?

John

 

[bphgravity]

An evaportive cooler is a unit that contains a pump and wall membranes of air penetrating material. Water is pumped over the wall material and as air passes through the moistened material, the air cools. A fan then directs this cool air into the structure or building.

 

[RayS]

It's also called a swamp cooler, and is not used except in relatively arid areas, because the moisture used to create the cooling is introduced into the conditioned area. Northeast? I think not applicable.

 

[JohnE]

Thanks for the answers, guys. My rep did call it a swamp cooler.

Anyone else had misinterpretations of this swamp cooler vs. condensing unit?

 

[JohnE]

BTW, I did leave a message for this instructor. I'd like to talk to him about it.

 

[raider1]

I have attached a file with an illustration of an evaportive cooler. These are very common here in Utah.

Chris

P.S. sorry the image is so small.

 

[yanici]

2005 NEC 210.63 exception for required receptacle. " A receptacle outlet shall not be required at one- and two-family dwellings for the service of evaporative coolers." If it was a 3 family or commercial/industrial building it looks like you still need the receptacle.

 

[JohnE]

Update: Spoke with the electricians instructor who clearly never told him this info. Instructor told him that one of the 2 required outdoor receptacles would cover the one required for equipment if also located within 25' of it. Electrician got himself confused.

Thanks for the replies, and thanks Chris for the photo.

John

 

[joe tedesco]

http://images.google.com/images?q=evaporative+cooler+&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

 

[George Stolz]

I use a window-mounted swamp cooler at my house, it works great here, where the normal humidity is very low. It cools the house effectively and adds humidity to the interior of the home.

I'm actually kind of suprised that it's not more common here, as most new houses have central A/C installed. It would probably be cheaper at installation and in use to install a central swamp cooler. I wonder if anyone makes a split use forced air furnace/swamp cooler?

They consume far less electricity, since you're only powering a little pump and a fan - no 30A condenser. Much more economical, if the climate is right.

 

[monkey]

George, I don't think anyone makes a combination unit like that, besides the swamp only lasts around 10 years before it rusts out. However many homes here in the desert have a swamp and an AC both. Some have fully automatic operation where the swamp will take over at a certain humidity level, using the same ducts by way of barometric dampers. There are spring loaded exhaust ducts that will swing open when the swamp starts, since the swamp constantly brings in new air and the old air must be able to escape. Some use a whole house exhaust fan that starts with the swamp.

Then there are people like me, I read the paper every day to see when the dew point avg is below 50, then I climb up to the roof and pull the damper on the swamp, insert another one in the air handler downstairs, fill the swamp with water, open some windows and fire it up. Saves a couple hundred a month on cooling bills and keeps the air from being so dry.

Then there are the poor souls who have swamp only. They are fine until the rains come in July and the humidity goes thru the roof. The swamps barely work and the house is damp and smelly. I used to be one of these till 7 years ago when I finally got AC.