Would you use an evaporative cooler this summer?

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2011-05-21 14:18

For those who don't know, an evaporative cooler is an air-conditioner that pulls hot air from outside, runs it thorugh pads made of cedar or plastic "mesh", and then pushs the cooled air into the building. The air is essnetially "unflitered" and obviously this means more air though your home, which could potentially mean more pollution, be that radioactive fallout, lead, dirt, pollen, etc...

My question is, should I buy a traditional central air unti and not use my evaporative cooler due to the crud in the air this year?

Thanks in advance for your thought, fellow forum peeps.

‹ zardoz Is planting a veggie garden in CA this year idiotic? ›

I am the OP. Question - are

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2011-05-22 11:31.

I am the OP.

Question - are there still atmospheric emissions of any size from FK?

Make Up Air

Submitted by Bill Duff (not verified) on Sun, 2011-05-22 08:32.

.
There is a similar concern with 'make up air' for refrigerated air units.

Commercial HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioner) units are for the most part, REQUIRED by building codes to bring a certain percentage of outside air into the building. This 'make up air' is in many cases unfiltered, and virtually never HEPA filtered.

Make up air is required in automobiles and is not uncommon in residential applications.

Most make up air systems operate by intake air suction, though some systems are (compression) fan-driven to provide positive pressure in the building.

Most of the time, for most applications, a make up air system is a plus. That is decidedly NOT the case during a nuclear fallout emergency of any kind.

Indoor Air Quality

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2011-05-22 01:01.

At this point, the concentration of radioisotopes inside your house are probably greater than or equal to what's in the outdoor air now. Hopefully, you kept your house closed-up in March and the beginning of April. Probably a good idea to let outdoor air inside now (after a good wet dusting and mopping of the floor.

Is this something that

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 2011-05-22 16:33.

Is this something that you're certain of? The skies in Orange County CA are still overcast and earily grayish.

I would avoid the use of

Submitted by Bill Duff (not verified) on Sat, 2011-05-21 23:37.

I would avoid the use of standard retail model evaporative coolers. There are high efficency models with air filtration available.

Also, the concerns might be addressed with use of well water and a deliberate slow leakage of the water reservoir.

Some simple air flow modifications would help. For example ducting air from below the unit. Most radioactive particles are heavier than air, so a riser will reduce radionuclide concentration.

Inside the house, a HEPA filter will collect most of the particles whatever the source.