Cooling Your Home

            The first day of spring has come and gone, but the warm weather is only just beginning, especially in states that are further south and that are considered desert states.  There have been a few days the past week or so that have been so warm, that we decided to open the windows to help cool off the house.  Soon the days will come that opening the window won’t be much help and we will need to get the AC going again.  Since we live in a dry climate, we own an evaporative cooler, or a swamp cooler, the name that it is more commonly referred to.

            There are many advantages having a swamp cooler, but it if you are want to install one, it is important to make sure that your home and the area you live in provide the right conditions.  If you live in a place that that generally has cooler weather such as the Northwest, there are different systems on the market that will serve your cooling needs better.  Also, if you live in an area that has a lot of humidity, then an evaporative cooler isn’t a good choice for you.  The way this type of cooler works, is not compatible with humid conditions and will be useless if installed.  So what are the conditions that are ideal for this type of AC unit?

            If you live in an area that is very hot and very dry (low humidity) then a swamp cooler may be a good choice for you.  The states that border Mexico are usually the states where most swamp coolers are sold since they are dry and hot.  This type of AC unit is inexpensive when compared to the alternatives (such as a central air system).  They are also more efficient than other AC units, using about 70% less energy than the other options that are available.  This, in turn, can be considered to be a more green option than other AC units on the market.

            There may be a few disadvantages, however.  For example, if you are trying to cool down a large home, one unit may not be enough to get the job done.  Evaporative coolers are more efficient in smaller homes, duplexes, and apartments.  Also, there is some upkeep that have to do with these coolers.  Before winter comes, they need to be disconnected from the water line (if there is one) and if they aren’t, it will freeze and can cause damage to the unit.  Many units also require that one or more filters be used with it, meaning that these filters will need to be switched out regularly.  If not done correctly, the air that is produced by them may not be safe for people to breathe.

            Although there may be some drawbacks, they are little things that can easily be done and you will be able to save money in the long run.  Swamp coolers are also designed so that they can be installed on the roof or they also come in a window unit.  For a good price on a cooler, visit: https://www.plumbersstock.com/category/554/evaporative-coolers/

Filters

Even though you may not realize it, many systems in your home that are there for convenience and to make your life easier require some sort of filter for them to function properly.  Filters are found in plumbing, irrigation, and cooling & heating applications.  When you are using water, a central air system, or a sprinkler system-there is a chance that there is some sort of filter helping that equipment to run correctly.

In areas where water is in short supply or where droughts are happening continually, the water that is available can contain sediment or other particles that wouldn't be found in an area where water is plentiful.  If the water is being used for drinking, it is a good idea to have a filtration system installed somewhere in the home.  One of the most common places to have this filter is underneath the kitchen sink.  A filter “housing” (a canister like part) is installed where water will pass through so that the water can be filtered.  The housing has two major parts to it: the top where the inlet and outlet for the water is and the bottom that screws into the top.  This is where the filter goes.  The bottom can be taken off pretty easily so that the filter can be replaced and water can continue to be cleaned.

Drinking water is also filtered as it passes through a refrigerator that has water dispensing capabilities.  It also filters the water that is taken into the ice maker so that the ice that is being made doesn’t contain “floaties”.  This technology has also been applied to drinking fountains that are found in some public places.

In some irrigation and sprinkler systems, the water comes from wells or other sources where

the water contains rocks and other debris that can clog up the pipes, system valves, or the sprinkler heads that are being used.  To avoid these problems it is a good idea to install a filter designed specifically for these types of systems.  They also have some type of housing and will be installed somewhere along the water line.  Where and how it is installed will be determined by the type of system the filter will be used in.

The air that goes through a central air system, whether it be to warm up or cool down the place where it is installed, needs to be filtered.  If the air isn't filtered, harmful debris and some disease causing organisms can be spread to the areas where the air is being dispersed.

In all of these different applications, there are a wide variety of filters available.  Some of them are as simple as only filtering out a single particle, while others are designed to remove more than one particle and some chemicals that can be found in air and water.  The filters used in different applications are also made of different materials.  Some are made out of plastic and soft materials, while others are made from metal so they can withstand more pressure and materials that are considered to be harsh.