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Old 2007-07-11, 09:29 AM   #18
sperry
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Real Name: Scott
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Portland, OR
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean View Post
They both accomplish the same goal: Maintaining a desired effective temperature for the person setting the thermostat.

Except dehumidifying which is a negative in this climate, what exactly does AC do that evaporative cooling doesn't?
My A/C can make it 70F/10% when it's 100F/80% outside. A swamp cooler doesn't work for better than about 25 degrees cooler regardless of the size, and doesn't work nearly at all once the ambient humidity is over 30%.

Plus, dehumidifying is not a negative, even in Reno's dry climate. Humidity raises the heat index, so less humid air feels cooler, even if it's the difference between 15% outside and 10% inside.

If swampcoolers and A/Cs really were the same thing, why don't you see computer labs that need cooling 24/7 running big swampcoolers... it would save them 80% on their massive cooling bills, wouldn't it? The answer of course is that swampcoolers, while much cheaper to operate, have a much smaller operational range where they're truly useful. Try running a swampcooler when it's 20F outside... now you have a block of ice on the roof. Meanwhile real air conditioning is trucking right along keeping that server room at 68F/30%.

Apples and oranges. Like I said, I'd love a swamper in the garage 'cause it'd be 15F cooler in there on a hot summer day, but I don't want to try to keep my house comfortable with one even if it's a ton cheaper. I like my house cool and dry, regardless of the outside conditions, and regardless of the additional cost.
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