Room/swamp coolers?

Question

I am looking into buying a swamp/room cooler. I have air conditioning in my house, but my bedroom doesn't cool off very welll at all. The ceilings are high, and I don't have a lot of insulation. So I can have the AC set to about 70 and it still gets to 75-78 degrees in there. I have done some reading on the coolers, and a lot of websites say they don't work well in humid areas, and they recommend getting AC instead. But since I already HAVE an AC, and I am just looking to cool the air down further, would a room cooler work; even though I do like in a more humid area?

Answer 1

I would not recommend a swamp cooler in an already humid area.  I live in a very dry climate and own a swamp cooler.  AC is great for humid areas as it pulls out the moisture in the air of your home... Swamp coolers are ideal for dry climates as they cool using water, and add humidity to the air.  This summer, I've left my swamp cooler on all night long, and it's gotten VERY cold in my house... sometimes down to 52 degrees by the time I get up at 4:45am.  This morning it was as cool as 57 when I got up.  The day time temps reach 95 or higher where I live....  I should also note that mine is mounted on the roof of my house and hooked up to the water line.  It's not one of those $250 ones that can be moved around on the floor.  However, those do work nicely - but require you to monitor the water levels throughout the day.  

You might consider running a fan and circulating the air in your house.  Consider blinds to keep the sun out during the day and my least favorite suggestion is turn the AC down to 67 or 68 during the day, then back up to 70 when you return home from work.   Perhaps a timer for your AC?  Cooler setting during the hottest hours of the day, then adjusts as the day temps drop.

It does not sound to me that a swamp cooler is the thing for your living situation.

Hi again, I looked at the link you included and that looks like it would be a nice cooling unit for a room... but if you're going to spend that kind of money, you just really consider an air conditioning unit for the window... this swamp cooler looks like it would be ok for a living room ... or bedroom...

Answer 2

Rather than purchasing a new unit, I'd suggest you try balancing your existing system first.

If you have a central air system, try closing (partially closing) the vents in the room closest to the unit first, to help force the air to the end of the duct system.  You can also do the same to the vents in the room where the thermostat is at.  This is something that is often overlooked by many homeowners, but it can make a big difference in the comfort level and efficiency of the system.

Ceiling fans are a great way to help move the air around, and don't cost much to install or operate.

I'd start by closing the vents closest to the central air unit.  At the next stage, leave them half open.  Open the vents, all the way, in the rooms at the end of the duct runs.  If the thermostat is in a 'great room', I'd shut those vents off.

If perchance your home is operating with window units, then you might try a fan, first.. to help circulate air from the room the unit is in, to your bedroom.  Again, ceiling fans will help quite abit.  If that doesnt do the trick, then I'd go ahead and install a window, or portable unit, in the bedroom itself.  (By the way, you can find a small window unit for less than $100 right now, at Wal-Mart, Lowes, etc)

Good Luck

Answer 3

Don't recommend it. Just try:

1> Lowering the thermostat on the AC unit

2>  Installing a ceiling fan to move the air around.