Will an evaporative cooler work very well in Oakland, California? Is it dry enough out here?
Maintenance & Repairs - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Yes. When you get the easterlies that produce the really hot weather in the area, it is dry enough that an evaporative cooler will work. But I would not use one; they are not enough cheaper than a refrigeration-type cooler to justify putting up with the extra humidity that an evaporative cooler imparts to the air. It does not often get really hot in Oakland, except for a few days in September or October, and a window unit or two will be quite adequate to keep you comfortable.
2 :
If, per chance your area experiences pretty solid amounts of humidity, a de-humidifier would help when used along with your AC unit, by allowing you to lower the thermostat some. According to a map I am looking at, the average humidity in Oakland is lowest during Jun - Aug, the hottest part of the year. For best results, a maximum relative humidity at the hottest part of the day of about 70% is best. Unfortunately, average and relative are not the same thing and I don't understand the difference myself. But, in areas where humid days happen from time to time, great relief is often achieved by turning off the water pump (a standard feature of all Breezair coolers) and simply blowing fresh air - moving air always feels cooler than still air. It would seem like it would be ok, gulf states use them some but most of the swamp coolers in use are located throughout the Mid west, and that area is noticeably drier. For a second opinion, have you tried calling some places that sell swamp coolers and asking them this question?
3 :
I am not from Oakland but I am assuming it being a coastal city that the humidity will be too high for an evaporator cooler to "cool" adequately. The are best used in dry relatively low humidity climates.
4 :
I bought one when I lived in San Carlos and it was too humid to work well. It just made it more humid in the house.
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