What It Costs To Be Cool

Besides going for a swim or taking in a movie there are only a few ways to stay cool when your home heats up on those hot summer evenings. Here a few possibilities:

• Natural air circulation
• A fan
• A swamp cooler (water cooler)
• An air-conditioner (refrigeration cooler)

Each alternative has its’ advantages as well as some disadvantages. For example: The main advantage of natural circulation is that it is by far the least expensive way to stay cool – Mother Nature does all of the work. Opening windows and doors at the cool side of the house and at the hot side of the house can create a natural air current through the home. If there is enough temperature difference between the warm and cool sides of the home quite an in-home breeze can result. Unfortunately, natural air circulation isn’t always the most effective cooling method. Mother Nature often can be somewhat unreliable.

Adding a simple table or floor fan to the natural circulation equation can improve air flow by giving Mother Nature a nudge in the right direction. However, with several large fans you don’t need to worry about Mother Nature at all. But be prepared for dry sinuses when sitting in the path of a fan. Oh, and you may want to have wetting drops handy for dry eyes.

A swamp cooler uses a fan to draw outside air through a water-soaked nylon-mesh. The drawn air becomes water-soaked and is then blown into the home. As the moisture in the air evaporates it cools (a natural fact of physics) resulting in a cooler house. A swamp cooler (or water cooler) works really well and is inexpensive to purchase and install and the operating expense is minimal compared to refrigeration units (air conditioners). Swamp coolers do have drawbacks. They can substantially raise the humidity in the home, which is not a bad thing in dry to arid climates. However, in other surroundings a swamp cooler can promote the growth of mold and mildew not to mention unusual amounts of rust. Swamp coolers aren’t very efficient air filtration devices either. In fact, the average swamp cooler probably adds to the degree of home pollution by virtue of the fact that its principal of operation is based on bringing poorly filtered outside air into the home.

Refrigeration units work by blowing outside air over refrigerated coils sending the cooled air into the home. Essentially, with this type of unit your home becomes nothing more than a gigantic refrigerator. Only cooled air is forced into the home – no water. Because of the absence of water the air is dry and it can be easily and more effectively filtered. Refrigeration cooling is the most people friendly kind of cooling because the air is dry. In fact, refrigeration cooling actually removes humidity from the air, thus reducing the chances for mold and mildew in most places. Keep in mind that when air filtration is effective most allergy causing particles are eliminated. The bad side – refrigeration coolers are the most expensive to purchase, install and operate. By the way, even if you have central air conditioning it may be wise to look into a small refrigeration unit that will cool a single frequently-used room. For example: If you spend 80 percent of your time in the family room why bother cooling the entire home. Even more important – always try Mother Nature first, then a fan. Refrigeration cooling should always be last on the list.

As we’ve said, Mother Nature is least expensive and helping her with a fan can be even better – as long as you don’t mind occasionally having dry sinuses. A swamp cooler won’t dry out your sinuses, but you may end up with more mold than you know what to do with – not to mention abnormally dirty air. Refrigeration units are expensive, but worth it. They cool and filter the best.

For more home improvement tips and information search our website or call our listener line any time at 1-800-737-2474! All you need to do is leave your name, telephone number and your question.

 

Related Posts

• Getting The Most Out Of The Storage Space You Already Have
  Getting The Most Out Of The Storage Space You Already Have
• 

  Show Notes: Foam Place Like Home
  Show Notes: Foam Place Like Home
• 

  Hidden Home Sale Costs Will Cost You
  Hidden Home Sale Costs Will Cost You
• 

  A Rising Trend: Home Elevators
  A Rising Trend: Home Elevators

You must be logged in to post a comment Login