Selecting an outdoor cooling solution for your patio, outdoor kitchen, or deck space creates a lot of confusion. You may be looking at outdoor fans as a way to keep the heat at bay, but evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, can provide a better means of cooling.
They are an increasingly popular option, so we’ll be reviewing why evaporative coolers may make a better option to outdoor fans. Decide for yourself, and use the quick links below to jump to each section.
- How do outdoor swamp coolers work?
- What are the advantages of outdoor swamp coolers over outdoor fans?
- Where else can I use outdoor swamp coolers?
- Questions?
How do swamp outdoor coolers work?
Outdoor swamp coolers offer true spot cooling on outdoor patios, regardless of relative humidity. Swamp coolers use an internal axial fan, a saturated rigid cooling media, and water with the evaporative cooling process to generate cooler air. The result is similar to the cooling effect you feel after you step out of a pool.
Check out the video below for an in-depth look at how evaporative cooling works.
What are the advantages of outdoor swamp coolers over outdoor fans?
Outdoor evaporative coolers offer unique advantages over their fan counterparts. While outdoor fans move stagnant hot air around a space to speed up the evaporation process of sweat on your skin, your body temperature only drops about five degrees. A swamp cooler will be noticibly cooler.
Some advantages of swamp coolers include:
Cooler Temperatures: Ice Compartments + Ice Packs
Depending on ambient outdoor temperature and relative humidity, swamp coolers and ice can lower ambient air temperature with cool air by as much as 15- to 20-degrees.
Cooling benefits include:
- Top-loading ice compartments and blue ice packs offer faster cooling, as the interior cooling media and water tank are exposed to ice or frozen blue ice packs.
- Ice can still be used inside large water tanks when top ice compartments aren’t an option.
Mobility + Water Fill Options
Outdoor swamp coolers can be moved or positioned wherever you need them--on the patio, at the baseball field, and more. Integrated features make them easier to transport:
- Heavy-duty caster wheels easily move across artificial turf, concrete, grass, wood slats, and vinyl. Just push them into the position you need them.
- Integrated handles make swamp coolers easier to maneuver around outdoor patios and porches. Transport them to outdoor events, park pavilions, or anywhere cooling is needed.
- Continuous fill hook-ups feature garden hose valves, as well as float valves that prevent run-off while ensuring hours of use.
- Manually fill the tank when a garden hose is inaccessible or when you plan on using the cooler for only a few hours.
While some fans are exceptionally easier to maneuver, many household fans are not rated for outdoor use due to safety precautions, and are strongly advised against using them on outdoor patios where water splashes or accidental bumps can occur.
Expansive Coverage + Fan Modes
No matter the size of your outdoor space, a swamp cooler will affordably and easily cool your space with additional perks.
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With large axial fan blades, swamp coolers offer up to three fan speeds—low, medium, or high—to ensure greater airflow and coverage area. - Quick moving air is refreshing while grilling outdoors near an open flame, as well as efficiently keeping mosquitos and gnats away from patio and picnic tables.
- Even if the outdoor temperature isn’t as hot and cooling isn’t needed, you can run the swamp cooler fan without the use of water and the pump for air circulation in cool spring or fall afternoons.
To find the correct swamp cooler size for your patio, check out CFM and square footage sizing formula listed on our 5 Things to Consider When Buying an Evaporative Cooler.
Additional Controls + Functions
Outdoor swamp coolers also deliver flexibility with electronic or manual controls that make it easier to enjoy time on your back patio rather. Some controls can include:
- Oscillating Louvers: Just like oscillating fans, swamp coolers can feature oscillating and stationary louvers, propelling chilled air into any outdoor surrounding.
- Timers: A timer conveniently and automatically kick off the swamp cooler after the set time has elapsed and cease all functions of the cooler.
- Remote Controls: Operate the cooler from across the yard, porch, or living area with an included remote control.
- Wi-Fi Capabilities: Wi-fi enabled coolers allow you to control the functions and modes from any location with the app installed on any smartphone or tablet.
Where else can I use swamp coolers?
Swamp coolers are common in the southwestern and midwestern US, as they perform better in regions where the air is dry and humidity is 60% and below.
However, when they are used outdoors, on patios and screened-in porches for cooling, they work well in any region in the US, including the southeast.
Indoor and outdoor evaporative coolers offer versatility unlike traditional and outdoor fans. Their ability to move from the living room to the cooling the screen-in porch makes them worth the investment. Some uses include:
- Backyards
- Enclosed + Screened-In Porches
- Gyms
- Recreation Centers
- Park Pavilions
- Pool Decks
- Grilling Areas
- Camping
- Street Festivals
Questions
If you have questions about our evaporative coolers and would like to discuss your options, give us a call at 1-800-934-9194. Share with us on our Sylvane Facebook page any outdoor summer hacks for staying cool.
