evaporative water cooler??

[HarleyJames]

I live in eastern Oklahoma and Im thinking about one of these for my shop. I work 10-15 hour days sometimes in my shop and last summer we had over 70 days in a row of triple digit heat. The heat does something to my temper and I can't handle it like I used to. I was looking at the port a cool units but now I'm considering pouring a small concrete pad on the north wall and setting it outside to maintain floor space, can't ever have enough room in the shop. My shop is only 900 square feet but I have no ceiling, it goes all the way up to the roof. You guys have any experience with these? There seems to be quite a bit of price range on them. Im not sure what size I need etc... Thanks for any and all feedback on this matter.

HarleyJames...

 

[Norcal]

Swamp coolers only work in low humidty, I use one to cool the house because it's cheap to run but the Sacramento Valley has low humidity normally, I don't think that is the case in Oaklahoma.

 

[lzenglish]

I live in eastern Oklahoma and Im thinking about one of these for my shop. I work 10-15 hour days sometimes in my shop and last summer we had over 70 days in a row of triple digit heat. The heat does something to my temper and I can't handle it like I used to. I was looking at the port a cool units but now I'm considering pouring a small concrete pad on the north wall and setting it outside to maintain floor space, can't ever have enough room in the shop. My shop is only 900 square feet but I have no ceiling, it goes all the way up to the roof. You guys have any experience with these? There seems to be quite a bit of price range on them. Im not sure what size I need etc... Thanks for any and all feedback on this matter.

HarleyJames...

If you go to the top of the page, and search "Evaporative Cooling", you will find some excellent advice by our members. I have always been a fan of them, if you have the low humidity needed to make them work. I grew up living in trailers, untill I was in Junior High school, and hated the things, but they have made some improvements since then. The best one I ever saw in operation, was the sears roto-belt, that my Dad had on his home. It did not have the old pad smell, and did a good job of cooling in his 20 to 30% humidity O.A conditions, without the muggy feeling. I don't know which one to buy now, as I believe the Kenmore Roto-Belt has been discontinued.

Wayne

 

[bdamico]

I live in eastern Oklahoma and Im thinking about one of these for my shop. I work 10-15 hour days sometimes in my shop and last summer we had over 70 days in a row of triple digit heat. The heat does something to my temper and I can't handle it like I used to. I was looking at the port a cool units but now I'm considering pouring a small concrete pad on the north wall and setting it outside to maintain floor space, can't ever have enough room in the shop. My shop is only 900 square feet but I have no ceiling, it goes all the way up to the roof. You guys have any experience with these? There seems to be quite a bit of price range on them. Im not sure what size I need etc... Thanks for any and all feedback on this matter.

HarleyJames...

When I lived in Dallas (and I understand you have different humidity considerations), I put up a high pressure misting curtain across the wall where the garage doors open. When it got hot, it really cut the heat in garage a bunch.

 

[930dreamer]

I have one in Albuquerque, NM works great, I use one in my shop in Amarillo, TX doesn't work so good ( higher Humidity). The shop one would probably work better if I cut through the side wall and installed it, it rolls on a cart now.

 

[Bronson]

At 900 square feet, I would go with a refrigerated unit. Add a couple of free-standing fans to move the air around.

 

[Falcon67]

One in Albuquerque - freeze you out. One in Fort Worth - fill it with ice to make it work at all. If you climate isn't dry, it's not going to work very well.

 

[Shade guy]

I just bought a portacool 3000
In my garage 22x22 it only cools you if your in front of the fan
It does blow air out at 75 degrees when its 110 outside

 

[ctcalls]

Many people appreciate the fact that evaporative cooling adds moisture to the air, which helps to keep wood furniture and fabrics from drying out. The moist pads through which the outside air flows are also fairly efficient air filters, trapping some dust and pollen. Since the pads are continually wetted, trapped particles are flushed out and trapped in the bottom of the cooler.

 

[coolreed]

You better forget about an evaporative cooler in Eastern Oklahoma, just too humid. I would put in Air Conditioning if you can afford it,..otherwise below is a very cost effective solution.

Don't laugh, this things really moves some air and cools very well. Especially in a humid climate. Salvaged out of an old house heating systems.

 

[pseudorealityx]

Many people appreciate the fact that evaporative cooling adds moisture to the air, which helps to keep wood furniture and fabrics from drying out. The moist pads through which the outside air flows are also fairly efficient air filters, trapping some dust and pollen. Since the pads are continually wetted, trapped particles are flushed out and trapped in the bottom of the cooler.

In a humid environment, you're just asking for mold and mildew issues. As a bonus, you won't cool anything either.

Evaporative coolers can work great in low humidity areas with low water costs.

 

[472scout]

If you do a google image search you'll see charts showing how effective swamp coolers are across the USA. I would post one up but it's breakfast time.