Here we are again. Time to start putting the skis and ice skates away and turn our attention to the coming warm weather and the best way to keep your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home or business cool. Before getting into specifics, Climate Control Company wants to stress this is not the time to procrastinate. The country’s supply chain has been greatly impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. This has caused equipment shortages and shipping delays. If you don’t act now to complete needed repairs and replacements, you could be stuck in a hot house.
Cooling Choices
As much as the world depends on central air conditioning, nothing changes the fact that it is expensive to buy and install. If you don’t have, can’t afford, or don’t want an air conditioner, there are alternatives so let’s explore some options.
Evaporative (Swamp) Coolers
These are a terrific replacement for air conditioners in Colorado because of our low humidity. The best example of evaporative cooling is what happens when you get out of a lake, river, or swimming pool. Even when it’s very hot your body feels cool as the water on your skin evaporates. In essence, that is a swamp cooler. A fan blows outside air across pads saturated in water. The evaporation lowers the temperature of the air which is then circulated throughout the house.
Inexpensive to Buy & Operate
Swamp coolers cost less to buy and install when compared to central air conditioning. Additionally, since the only electricity used is for a fan, a swamp cooler only uses about one-fourth as much electricity as an air conditioner.
Startup is Critical
The spring startup procedure for swamp coolers is a bit more complicated than for an air conditioner. Additionally, most swamp coolers are mounted on the roof of homes and businesses in Glenwood Springs, Aspen, and Vail, CO so there is some risk involved. We urge you to call Climate Control Company to make an appointment, so your swamp cooler is ready to go when the hot weather arrives.
Keep the House Cooler
No matter what type of cooling system you have, half the battle is keeping the heat outside to limit the need for cooling. Here are some ways to do that:
- Keep curtains closed. Yes, the little things matter. Sunlight streaming through your windows can raise the room temperature as much as 20 degrees. Don’t open the curtains and windows until the sun is down, and the air is cooler.
- Insulate and seal. With the curtains now closed take the next logical step by sealing gaps around doors and windows with caulk or weather-stripping. Also make sure your home’s insulation is up to standards to keep hot air outside and cooler air inside.
- Don’t use the oven. We all know what that blast of hot air feels like when you open the door to a hot oven. All that heat is going to make the house warmer. When it’s hot outside use the microwave, slow cooker, or an outdoor grill to prepare meals.
- Use cooler lighting. There’s no longer any reason to be using Incandescent light bulbs. They produce an extraordinary amount of heat compared to more energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED bulbs.
What’s the Right Choice For You?
To find out if a swamp cooler is a good choice for your home or business call Climate Control to schedule a no-obligation appointment. Just don’t wait too long. The sun is going down later and later each day and the spring melt is just around the corner. Now is the time to make sure you are ready for the warm weather ahead. To learn more about swamp coolers and all forms of cooling, be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
