Would a swamp Cooler work in Hollywood?
Question:I live in a rental house in Hollywood and it does not have a air conditioner. I was looking at a portable AC, but found them at costco for $500 (tooo much). I heard Swamp Coolers are great in the dessert, but what about in L.A?
Also, if I was to get a regular AC, will it work without having to put it into a window?
Answers:
I assume a swamp cooler is an evaporative cooler? This will cool effectively only in a low-humidity environment. Evaporative coolers rely upon the energy absorbed when water changes from liquid to vapour (gas). At room temperature, this will only occur if the surrounding air is dry. If the air is already saturated with water vapour (i.e. humid), then no evaporation can occur and there will be no cooling effect.
Your question about air conditioners refers I assume to those that employ refrigeration cooling. These are essentially heat pumps that move heat from one location (e.g. your room) to another (e.g. outside). So, while you would not necessarily have to mount the aircon unit in a window, it would certainly have to vent to the outside if you are to achieve room cooling. If a portable air conditioner is not allowed to vent to the outside, then you are effectively using a significant amount of energy to do nothing useful.
By regular A/C, are you talking about what are generally called "Window Units?" Yep, windows or specially cut holes in the wall.
Swamp Coolers will work anywhere that the relative humidity is very low. I believe that Los Angeles County fits that description.
Doc
I know of the portable A/C unit you saw at Costco. It works with an exhaust hose to a plastic window insert to vent to the outdoors.
A swamp cooler can be effective in Hollywood, I'm in the OC. They are more effective in areas below 20% humidity but help a lot in our areas. You might want to give one a try, I use on myself and find it very helpful.
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