Swamp coolers, also known as evaporative coolers, are a popular and energy-efficient way to cool space in dry climates. These units work by using a fan to circulate air through water-moistened pads, which helps lower the air's temperature and increase its moisture content. On the other hand, dehumidifiers are designed to remove excess moisture from the air to improve indoor humidity levels. So, can you use a dehumidifier with a swamp cooler?
Does It Work?
The short answer is yes; you can use a dehumidifier with a swamp cooler. However, whether or not this combination will effectively cool your space depends on several factors. Let's take a closer look at how these two types of cooling units work and how they might be able to work together.
Why Can Swamp Coolers and Dehumidifiers Work Together?
Swamp coolers work best in dry climates where the relative humidity is low. Some water evaporates and cools the air as the air passes through the water-moistened pads. This process is known as evaporative cooling. However, as the room's humidity levels increase, the swamp cooler's effectiveness decreases. This is because the air is already saturated with water vapor and is less able to absorb more moisture. In these conditions, a dehumidifier can help remove some excess moisture from the air, allowing the swamp cooler to work more efficiently.
How Dehumidifier Can Supplement Swamp Cooler Cooling?
Using a dehumidifier with a swamp cooler can have several benefits. For one, it can help improve your space's comfort level by reducing the humidity. As we mentioned earlier, high humidity can make it feel much hotter than the actual temperature. Here's a breakdown of how the temperature can feel at different relative humidity levels based on an ambient temperature of 80 °F:
- 45% relative humidity: feels like 80 °F
- 60% relative humidity: feels like 82 °F
- 80% relative humidity: feels like 84 °F
As you can see, even a small increase in humidity can significantly affect how hot it feels. Using a dehumidifier to lower the humidity can make your space feel cooler and more comfortable.
In addition to improving comfort, using a dehumidifier with a swamp cooler can also increase the cooling unit's efficiency. Swamp coolers work best when the relative humidity is around 70%. Once it goes above 75%, they start to lose effectiveness and can even make things worse as they tend to increase the dampness of the air. Using a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture, you can keep the humidity levels in a range optimal for the swamp cooler to work efficiently.
It's worth noting that while a dehumidifier can supplement the cooling power of a swamp cooler, it's not a replacement for an air conditioner.
Swamp Cooler Works Better with Low Humidity
As we mentioned earlier, swamp coolers work best in dry climates with low relative humidity. This is because the process of evaporative cooling relies on the air absorbing moisture from the water-moistened pads. When the humidity is already high, the air is less able to absorb more moisture, which means the swamp cooler will be less effective. If you're using a swamp cooler in a humid environment, you may find that it struggles to cool your space effectively, even if you keep the unit well-maintained and the water tank topped up.
Lower Humidity Increases Comfort and Makes You Feel Cooler
In addition to improving the efficiency of your swamp cooler, using a dehumidifier can also help to increase your comfort level. As we saw earlier, high humidity can make a room feel much hotter than the actual temperature. Using a dehumidifier to lower the humidity makes your space feel cooler and more comfortable, even if the temperature doesn't change.
Strange Relation of Relative Humidity and Temperature
It's worth noting that the relationship between relative humidity and temperature is a strange one. Even if you use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity in your space, you may not see a significant change in the temperature. This is because temperature and humidity are two separate things and they don't always behave as you might expect. For example, you might think that lowering the humidity will make the temperature feel cooler. However, this isn't always the case. Other factors, such as the ambient temperature and the size of your space, can affect how cool you feel.
Will Using Both Swamp Cooler and Dehumidifier Work For You?
Whether or not using a dehumidifier with a swamp cooler will work for you depends on several factors. Here are a few things to consider:
Humidity
As we mentioned earlier, swamp coolers work best in dry climates with low relative humidity. If you're using a swamp cooler in a humid environment, you may find that it struggles to cool your space effectively. In these cases, using a dehumidifier can help to lower the humidity and make the swamp cooler more effective. However, a dehumidifier may not be necessary if the humidity is already very low.
Size/Power of Dehumidifier
The size and power of your dehumidifier will also affect how well it works with your swamp cooler. If you have a small dehumidifier and a large, poorly-insulated space, you may not see much of a difference in humidity levels. On the other hand, if you have a large dehumidifier and a small, well-insulated space, you may see a significant decrease in humidity. Choosing a dehumidifier that's the right size for your space and your needs is important.
Working Efficiencies of Your Swamp Cooler and Dehumidifier
The efficiency of your swamp cooler and the dehumidifier will also affect how well they work together. You may not see much of a difference if you have an older, less efficient swamp cooler.
Temperature
The ambient temperature of your space is another factor to consider when using a dehumidifier with a swamp cooler. If the temperature is already very low, you may not see much difference in the humidity levels, even if you use a dehumidifier. This is because the air is already relatively dry and is less able to absorb more moisture. On the other hand, if the temperature is very high, you may see a more significant decrease in humidity as the dehumidifier works to remove excess moisture from the air.
How to Get Both to Work Best for You?
If you want to get the most out of your swamp cooler and dehumidifier, you can do a few things to optimize their performance. Here are a few tips:
- Keep the water tank of your swamp cooler topped up. This will ensure that the unit can cool the air effectively.
- Ensure that your swamp cooler is the right size for your space. If it's too small, it may struggle to cool the air effectively. On the other hand, if it's too large, it may use more energy than necessary.
- Make sure that your dehumidifier is the right size for your space. As we mentioned earlier, a dehumidifier that's too small may not be effective in a large space, while a dehumidifier that's too large may be unnecessary in a small space.
- Keep the air circulating. Using a fan or opening windows can help to improve the effectiveness of both the swamp cooler and the dehumidifier.
- Use the right setting for your dehumidifier. Most dehumidifiers have a humidity control that allows you to set the desired humidity level. Experiment with different settings to find the one that works best for you.
Evaporative Cooler vs Dehumidifier
If you're trying to decide between using a swamp cooler or a dehumidifier, it's important to consider the climate you live in and your specific needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Swamp coolers are best for dry climates with low relative humidity. They work by using a fan to circulate air through water-moistened pads, which helps lower the air's temperature and increase its moisture content. These units are energy-efficient and can be a cost-effective way to cool your space.
- Dehumidifiers are best for humid environments where the relative humidity is high. These units work by removing excess moisture from the air, which can help to improve indoor humidity levels and increase comfort. Dehumidifiers can also help to prevent mold and mildew growth, which can be a concern in humid environments.
A swamp cooler may be the way to go if you live in a dry climate and want a way to cool your space. However, a dehumidifier may be a better choice if you live in a humid environment and want to improve indoor humidity levels. In some cases, you may find that a combination of a swamp cooler and a dehumidifier works best, depending on your specific needs and the conditions in your space.
