EVAP Coolers

Evaporative Coolers – Aspen Pads

Types of Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers are often referred to as swamp coolers or simply evap coolers. They are more common in warm dry climates like ours here Phoenix, AZ. As the name implies, evap coolers utilize the cooling effect of evaporation to cool your home or building.

The two most common types of evap coolers are Aspen Pad Coolers and Rigid Media Coolers. Most people refer to Rigid Media Coolers as Mastercool Coolers. Mastercool is a manufacturer brand name. Think about how most of us refer to petroleum jelly as Vaseline.

 

What Size Evaporative Cooler Do I Need?

Unlike determining the proper size air conditioner needed for a home or building, figuring out what size evaporative cooler you need is very easy.

Swamp coolers are measured in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). In other words, how many CFM of air the unit is capable of moving (blowing into the home). Understanding how many CFM are needed for your home is something most people can easily determine themselves.

  1. Measure your home or buildings total square footage.
  2. Measure your ceiling height. (If you have different ceiling heights use the average).
  3. Multiply the total square footage by the ceiling height.
  4. Divide the number you determined in step to by two (2). 

Find an evaporative cooler with a CFM rating close to the number you arrive at in step 4*

Example: A 1,500 square-foot building with 8-foot ceilings.

1,500 x 8 = 12,000

12,000 / 2 = 6,000

In this scenario a 6,000 CFM cooler will do the job*.

*It’s a good practice to add 15-20% for applications where there are a lot of occupants in the home or where there are other heat generating appliances. In the example above, Magic Touch Mechanical would typically recommend a 6,500 to 7,200 CFM Evaporative Cooler.

 

How Much Does an Evaporative Cooler Cost?

People are often surprised by the price to install a new swamp cooler. Because stores like Home Depot and Lowes sell evap coolers most people think they can have one professionally installed for $1,500 to $2,500. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

What people don’t realize about those coolers in the big box stores is they are selling just the cabinet. They don’t even include the motor or drain pumps. Not including the labor or crane needed, a professional installation of an evaporative cooler should include; motors, shelves, pulleys, belts, drain pumps, thermostat, thermostat wiring, roof jacks, stands or leg-kits, barometric dampers, drain lines, roofing tar or sealant, and much more.

The average evaporative cooler cost professionally installed will typically range between $4,000 and $6,000*.

*Depending on brand, size, type, and individual application.

 

EVAPORATIVE COOLERS – ASPEN PADS