Q: Do evaporative coolers work well in our humid Caribbean environment?

A: YES, modern high-efficiency evaporative coolers can provide very effective and economical cooling even in the coastal areas of the Gulf. For a detailed explanation of how and why this is so please see How It Works

Q: Can evaporative coolers work in our humid Caribbean environment?

A: YES, modern high-efficiency evaporative coolers can provide very effective and economical cooling even in the coastal areas of the Gulf. For a detailed explanation of how and why this is so please see How It Works.

Q: What are the main differences between Air Conditioning and Evaporative Cooling?

A: When most people say Air Conditioning they are referring to refrigerated air conditioning systems/equipment. There are three main differences between such Air Conditioning solutions and using Evaporative Cooling, these are:

Cost: typically a modern evaporative cooling solution will cost less than one third of the installed cost of a refrigerated AC system, and the monthly running costs will usually be far less than one tenth.
Operation: Refrigerated AC relies on recirculating the air inside a building through chilled coils (a heat-exchanger) in order to cool the workplace – in many ways it can be said to be fighting the heat – this is why an AC engineer will talk about how many tons of AC you need to cool a given environment.

Evaporative Cooling on the other hand is a single-pass approach. It constantly replaces the atmosphere in the workplace with fresh cool air – it is removing/replacing the heat not fighting it – this constant, high volume, flow of cool (typically 28°C) air ventilates as well as cools the workplace (and is why Evaporative Cooling is so successful at cooling “impossible” places such as very hot environments like glass & ceramics works, metal & plastic casting & extrusion areas, three-side structures and even outdoor venues), and this is why an Evaporative Cooling engineer will talk about the number of Air-Changes per Hour you require for your application

Precise Control: Refrigerated AC, if properly designed, can provide precise control of both temperature and humidity, but at price. Evaporative cooling is a cost-effective alternative in many cases, but there are applications where it is not suitable. Conversely, some applications are not suitable for conventional refrigerated A/C. Our technical staff is happy to survey your site and make a recommendation for the best solution to suit your needs. We will only specify evaporative cooling when it is practical and the best solution for your home or business.

Q: We are planning to insulate our warehouse and storage facility. Do you recommend this?

A: Actually, no. The cost of retrofitting insulation to an existing structure is so high that it is actually more cost-effective to install evaporative cooling, which will also give lower temperatures.

Q: We already have AC at our site, can Evaporative Coolers be of benefit to us?

A: In many cases, if you have a medium to large central AC plant (typically 10 Ton or more), the use of Evaporative Cooling technology to “Pre-Cool” the outside compressor/condenser units of the AC plant can help reduce the summertime electricity consumption (and therefore the running cost) of such equipment by up to 50%! Typical year-round savings in the order of 25%-35% means that often the installation of Evaporative Pre-Cooling pays for itself in less than one year

Q: What maintenance is required for evaporative coolers?

A: Evaporative coolers. l evaporative coolers are made from the best quality components, and engineered to require minimal maintenance. As with any air-handling system, periodic cleaning is required. In normal environments ECSS evaporative coolers need to be cleaned once a month; the procedure takes about 20 minutes and can be performed by your personnel. ECSS provides training for every customer as part of our standard delivery and installation routine. We also offer a service contract for those customers who prefer to let us take care of all routine maintenance

Q: How do you install the coolers?

A: Installation of our coolers is very simple – just plug the power cord into a standard 15-amp socket and attach a water hose or fill the self contained reservoir and that’s all that is required!

Q: Can you cool stables or live stock sheds etc?

A: Yes, you can use Evaporative coolers, because our coolers constantly bring in fresh air, a much healthier as well as a cooler environment results.

Q: Can the coolers be used out of doors?

A: Yes. We have successfully cooled animal enclosures for horses etc. Our coolers are also used in outdoor welding areas, shipyards, and steel fabrication yards. Any place that needs cooling can benefit from Evaporative coolers.

Q: How much noise do the coolers generate?

A: Our coolers are actually quieter than a standard pedestal fan. At 82 dBa, most installations are not audible over normal background noise. In fact, one local production company uses them on stage at concerts. In rare instances where noise is a concern, we can adjust the coolers to reduce the sound level even further.

Q: Do you provide a warranty or After-sales service?

A: Warranty and service are very important to Evaporative coolers and we know how important they are to our customers. All equipment comes with a full warranty on all parts and labour for one year. And if you ever have a problem, we guarantee same-day service.

Q: What if my questions aren’t answered here?

A: Our support staff is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday at 246-419-COOL or you can e-mail us at [email protected]

Q: Is there any assembly required?

A: No. Port-A-Cool® units are ready to use right out of the box.

Q: How do I prepare my PORT-A-COOL® unit for storage?

A: Simply drain the unit, dry out the pads and place the unit, preferably covered, in a dry place for the winter season. For more details, please click on “Port-A-Cool® unit Maintenance” below.

Q: I just hooked up my PORT-A-COOL® unit for the first time and there’s an unpleasant odor! What’s wrong?

A: The pads, located in the back of your Port-A-Cool® unit, have never been wet. The resin in the pads will emit an odour the first time you wet them that lasts approximately one to three weeks. Keep the unit in an open area until the odour goes away or put a capful of laundry softener directly into the tank at the bottom of your unit.

Q: My PORT-A-COOL® unit isn’t putting out any cool air

A: First, check the back of your unit to see if the pads are damp. Adjust the water flow to achieve a wet/dry streak pattern across the back of the pad surface. For the evaporation process to occur, the pads must be damp before you turn on the fan. Second, make sure there is water in the tank. It should be allowed to fill before you turn the pump on. Thirdly, make sure the water source and electricity source are connected and working. If you use an extension cord, make sure there are no frays or shorts and that it is a 12 gauge or better cord. Fourth, if none of these options fix the problem, call our Tech Support Hotline at 1-888-COOL-AID for additional assistance

Q: What is the best environment for the PORT-A-COOL® unit to produce the coolest air?

A: For optimum performance, the temperature should be 85 degrees F or higher and the relative humidity should be below 75%. However, Port-A-Cool® units will reduce the temperature in almost any environment, making it more pleasant.

Q: What is the difference between evaporative cooling and misting systems?

A: Misting units spray a shower of water into the air that will collect on a person, getting the person wet. The Port-A-Cool® unit uses the evaporative process to produce cooler air.

Q: How do I oil the fan motor?

A: The Dayton Motor Installation and Maintenance Information manual states, “Sleeve bearing motors require periodic re-oiling. Re-oil continuous duty units once a year, intermittent duty units every two years, and occasional duty units every five years with 30 to 35 drops of SAE no. 20 non-detergent or electric motor oil.”

Q: What should I do if my unit smells?

A: A new unit will go through a break-in period and may emit some odour. Approximately after two weeks of operation, the odour should disappear. If the unit is not a new unit, algae or bacteria growth in the unit from improper maintenance will cause odours. Please refer to your Owner’s Manual for proper cleaning and maintenance.

Q: Where can I buy replacement parts?

A: Unit replacement parts may be purchased from any Port-A-Cool product distributor or directly from Port-A-Cool Parts/Technical Support department.

Q: How often do pads have to be replaced?

A: Depending on the quality of maintenance and frequency of use, pads typically last up to five years. However, should you have any questions about the life of the pads for your unit, please call our tech support department for more detailed information about replacing your pads.

Q: What is the amount of moisture produced by a unit?

A: Approximately 2% to 5% increase in humidity is produced depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment. This amount of increase in humidity is not noticeable in a ventilated area where the air produced by the unit is exhausted.

Q: How long will the water supply last in the sump tank?

A: With no direct water source available, the unit will evaporate the water in a filled sump tank within two hours of operation. The evaporation rate will vary depending on temperature and humidity. A water source for refilling the sump tank is recommended by the manufacturer. Every unit has an internal float valve for regulating water flow into the sump.

Q: Should I use ice in the sump tank for better cooling?

A: Some of the vapor from the ice water may be picked up and distributed by the fan, but this does not increase evaporation and therefore will not produce significant cooling.

Q: Where are the model and serial numbers found on the unit?

A: On the outside of the housing of every unit is a metal plate with a white label with printed barcodes and other information. Unit model numbers begin with the letters “PAC.” Serial numbers are all-digit numbers. Please always provide the unit’s serial number and model number when contacting Parts/Technical Support.

Q: What if my questions aren’t answered here?

A: Our support staff is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday at 246-419-COOL or you can e-mail us at [email protected]