Evaporative Water Coolers - Can one make a swamp cooler into an Attic Fan?
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MTTwister
05-03-07, 02:58 PM
It's been on the roof for a few years - never got hooked up.
First I was thinking of re-directing the duct work so that it would "cool" teh attic. But that would pressurize the attic, and add humidity that might not get evaporated out. ( Hmmm - true? bad idea?)
I've upgraded the Heatpump / Air handler and probably won't use the swamp cooler. However, since it's on the roof, is there any way to rotate the internal fan mount inside the external housing so that I could use it as an attic venting fan? ( use the squirrel cage to suck air out of the attic? )
This is in Phoenix area, by the way.
First I was thinking of re-directing the duct work so that it would "cool" teh attic. But that would pressurize the attic, and add humidity that might not get evaporated out. ( Hmmm - true? bad idea?)
I've upgraded the Heatpump / Air handler and probably won't use the swamp cooler. However, since it's on the roof, is there any way to rotate the internal fan mount inside the external housing so that I could use it as an attic venting fan? ( use the squirrel cage to suck air out of the attic? )
This is in Phoenix area, by the way.
azAir
05-21-07, 11:16 PM
most of the installs that I have done, and seen have upducts. this allows the air to travel up into the attic -once the house is pressurized- and cool the attic. the idea to just blow the cooler in the attic is a new thought. mighty intriguing.
if you have gabel or o'hagen vent the air will almost go out instantly. but the circulation of cool air would logically keep the attic air substancially cooler, thus lowering your heat load.
the build up of moisture would occur, but I think would be minimal.
try it and let me know how it goes.
if you have gabel or o'hagen vent the air will almost go out instantly. but the circulation of cool air would logically keep the attic air substancially cooler, thus lowering your heat load.
the build up of moisture would occur, but I think would be minimal.
try it and let me know how it goes.
MTTwister
05-25-07, 04:24 PM
It's sort of a Hip roof design - plenty of soffit overhang venting, and ridge venting.
With blown in insulation -
Do you think just running the fan would provide any benefit?
In swampy mode, - guess we won't know how much moisture would build up. I think it would evaporate pretty quickly, and get driven out by the pressure. Or , it might get pretty steamy up thee!
I could cut holes in the down plenum to let the air out - think it would be best about 1 'above the insulation.
If it did any good, Then- distribution ductwork might get the air down to the far reaches of the attic.
It's sitting there un-used - might give it a try.
My other thought was to rotate the fan 90° on a verticle axis, so it would suck the hot air out of the attic. Not sure how much work would be involved in mounting the fan / motor in that position , tho'.
With blown in insulation -
Do you think just running the fan would provide any benefit?
In swampy mode, - guess we won't know how much moisture would build up. I think it would evaporate pretty quickly, and get driven out by the pressure. Or , it might get pretty steamy up thee!
I could cut holes in the down plenum to let the air out - think it would be best about 1 'above the insulation.
If it did any good, Then- distribution ductwork might get the air down to the far reaches of the attic.
It's sitting there un-used - might give it a try.
My other thought was to rotate the fan 90° on a verticle axis, so it would suck the hot air out of the attic. Not sure how much work would be involved in mounting the fan / motor in that position , tho'.