Places with low humidity levels can gain advantages from the process of evaporating water into the supplied air for cooling spaces, be it in residential or commercial settings.Swamp coolers work by a process called evaporative cooling, which is commonly known. That’s why they are considered evaporative air conditioners.
Now, we’ll explain how commercial air coolers operate and how they are installed.We’ll also cover how to choose the right size of an evaporative cooler depending on different climate zones, as well as airflow techniques and how they are set up with ducts.
What is commercial air cooler, and how does it differ from residential air cooler?
A commercial air cooler is a cooling device made for big areas like factories, warehouses, offices, and other commercial spaces.Residential air coolers are designed for smaller spaces like bedrooms or living rooms, while commercial air coolers, used in larger areas, have greater cooling capacity and are more powerful and efficient. Commercial and residential air coolers differ mainly in their size, capacity, and the type of cooling technology they use.
How do evaporative coolers work ?
Swamp coolers pull in warm air from the outside and filter it through wet evaporative cooler pads. The air cools down as it passes through these wet pads. Then, a blower motor pushes this cool air inside the building through a vent.
Inside the evaporative cooler, there’s a fan that blows air into the space and a water reservoir with a recirculating water pump. From the pump, water is sprayed onto the media pads located on the cooler’s air intake sides. To keep the water in the reservoir, there’s a float valve and float. Additionally, there’s an overflow drain to remove excess water.
How to select commercial air cooler?
Evaporative coolers are measured by the amount of air they can deliver in cubic feet per minute (CFM). In hotter climates, more air changes are needed. There’s a chart available to determine the right size of Energy-Efficient Ducted Evaporative Coolers for properties in hot, dry areas.
For a 1,250 square feet home, you’d need a 5,000 CFM unit, which means 4 CFM per square foot considering 8-foot ceilings. In areas with an average climate, a design of 3 CFM per square foot is used, whereas in hot, dry climates, it’s 4 CFM per square foot.
How to install roof mounted evaporative air cooler ?
There are various installation spots for the evaporative cooler, such as the roof, a wall, or the ground. We’ll specifically cover the installation process for a roof-mounted system since it requires more steps.
Step 1: Fix the Support Bracket to Install the Unit
After the roof mounted system has been sized and selected, a hole would be cut in the pitched roof between roof supports for the supply air duct, making sure to seal tightly around the perimeter of the penetration with flashing to avoid leaks. The best location is on the backside of the home to avoid visibility from the front. Next, position this swamp cooler so it is resting on the bracket. Install support legs to add stability.
Step 2: plug in the Evaporative Cooler
You will need to install a electrical outlet near the unit and run wire inside to a wall switch or a controller. Or just run the electrical conduit and wire directly to the switch from the cooler. Again, you’ll need to have a roof jack where the electrical conduit penetrates the roof. This will ensure that you can make a proper seal to avoid roof leaks.
Step 3: Connect the Water for Evaporative Cooler
The wate tubing will need to be connected to an existing water pipe to provide the cooler with a continuous supply of water. The tubing can be installed in copper, PEX or plastic tubing. A shutoff valve should be provided at the point of connection to the main water supply to isolate the tubing if there is a leak, and at the evaporative cooler for quick access.
note: In areas that experience freezing winters, it’s a good idea to provide a tee connection near the main water source with a drain valve to drain the tubing to avoid freezing, which could cause damage to the tubing.
Step 4: Install the supply air duct
There are several options when installing the supply air duct. There is the option to have one large opening in a central location like the hallway, hopefully the evaporative cooler can be located directly above and make a simple straight duct drop. You could also duct the supply air to each room. Frame out around the ceiling opening and install a supply grille.
Note: You should never use the existing air conditioning ducts as they aren’t sized for the air volume of an evaporative cooler.
Step 5: Install Vents or open window/door to escape hot air
Do evaporative coolers need to be vented? Yes, there should be a path provided for the large volume of air that is coming into the building. The air must go somewhere, so its imperative that you control the path of air to achieve the cooling results you’re looking for.
Vents can be provided in the ceiling that allow hot air to escape the rooms as the new cooler air enters.
Leaving the windows slightly open allows the warmer air to escape the room as the evaporative cooler brings in 100% outdoor air.
Types of commercial evaporative coolers you need to know about
Air coolers are available in 3 main types – portable cooler , ducted swamp cooler and window evaporative cooler . Similarly, air coolers are also available in different variants, including VEAC compressor evaporative air conditioner.
- Portable Air Coolers : Efficient cooling, energy-saving, and eco-friendly. Easy to move, adds humidity, and cost-effective. Ideal for various spaces.
- Ducted Swamp Cooler: Distributed cooling, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly. Ideal for large spaces, balanced airflow, and lower energy costs.
- Window Evaporative Cooler: Compact, easy installation, and cost-effective. Cools efficiently, adds moisture, and eco-friendly. Suitable for various rooms.
- VEAC Compressor Evaporative Air Conditioner: Powerful cooling, energy-efficient, and quiet operation. Combines evaporative and compressor technologies. Ideal for large spaces.
