Most homeowners with a desire, common sense, good hands, and a basic set of household tools could install swamp cooler ducting. It is necessary to understand duct installation, plumbing, and basic 110-volt electrical knowledge.
As shown, most houses have a typical attic. Attics can be suffocating. The less work done in the attic, the better it is. The majority of the ductwork can be planned ahead of time, prepared on the ground, and then either lifted from the diffuser location inside or dropped down from the roof. A good, strong set of teenage arms comes in handy here.
How To Install A Swamp Cooler:
Follow the below-mentioned steps to install a evaporative cooler:
- The trick is to measure once, then twice to make sure the measurements. After that, mark your cut points straight up and down, double-check your measurements, and then cut once in the duct openings. If your ductwork is installed straight up and down, you can line up the ceiling and roof penetrations with a plumb-bob. Begin the installation of your evaporative cooler. Determine the location of the diffuser.
- The main hallway is usually located in the center of the house and is the best location for your evaporative cooler 4-way diffuser. Once this location has been determined and cut into, the roof penetration can be calculated.
- You need to install ductwork between the ceiling trusses. Ceiling trusses and roof trusses should not be removed. It can compromise the structural integrity of your ceiling or roof. Typically, professionals leave spaces in ceiling and roof trusses 24″ apart, leaving 21″ between the trusses.
- In addition, the ceiling penetration into the attic must be framed on all four sides with solid wood. It is a mounting point for the ductwork and backing to which the grille will be attached later. You may require an Offset ductwork for your swamp cooler ducting installation.
- The ductwork may need to be offset if the hallway grille location does not line up straight with a clear path up through the roof. For aesthetic reasons, the evaporative cooler should be installed on the backside of the roof.
This offset configuration is ideal if the ceiling and roof trusses do not line up, if it is desired to keep the unit out of sight, or if the ductwork would hit the roof’s peak if run straight up and out.
Tip:
DO NOT install the ductwork and cooler across the roof’s peak or ridge or in a valley. If either of these scenarios exists, always offset. Not only are these scenarios unsightly on your roof, but maintaining a good weather seal and flashing in either of these locations is nearly impossible.
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How To Do Flexible Ducting For Swamp Cooler
Large flexible insulated ductwork is another common evaporative cooler installation configuration.
This flexible ductwork is available in 18 different colors “; 20″ , and 24” are all common sizes.
Use 18″ for coolers 4500 cfm or smaller, 20″ for coolers up to 5500 cfm, and 24″ for coolers over 5500 cfm “for coolers rated at 6500 cfm
Be aware that this ducting method will reduce airflow and may be noisier than rigid duct systems. Some argue that the insulated ductwork aids in the quieting of the airflow. Let’s be honest! Whatever amount of air an evaporative cooler delivers into a home, they are all noisy!
This evaporative cooler installation will require a section of rigid ducting down through the roof with an end cap and a round sheet metal collar the same size as the flex duct.
Sheet metal can be the same size as your ceiling diffuser opening. Moreover, you also need to tie the round collar into the end cap. Make sure your collars are at least 8″ long to allow easy flex duct hook-up.
This configuration addresses many of the issues that the do-it-yourselfer may encounter with his evaporative cooler installation.
How To Install Several Outlets Or Ducts
Every now and then, someone decides to install swamp cooler ducting with multiple outlets. However, you need to be extremely careful around this configuration.
Keep in mind that swamp coolers dump a lot of water into the air stream. As a result, the air becomes dense. If the duct runs are too long, too numerous, or too congested, the air will die in the ductwork, with very little reaching the destination rooms. You need to clean them regularly. For Air Duct sanitizing in Buford contact us.
You can improve this system by installing Updux in each room with an outlet.
UpDux is the one-way duct that opens when the barometric pressure rises, allowing air to flow across the room and into the attic. However, you need to ventilate the attic space first.
Ensure to keep the ductwork as straight as possible. Where branches split, a wye fitting should be used instead of a tee.
How To Create A Framework For The Ceiling Or Roof
As previously stated, this is a critical step. The majority of swamp coolers require 18 x 18 or 20 x 20 ductwork. These dimensions will fit between the majority of ceiling or attic trusses.
Place the first cut against the side of an existing truss and plan the penetration from there.
Check that this works with the roof truss layout as well. Just a smidgeon of slack here will make it easier to slide the ductwork into place later.
Fill in the other three sides. It will serve as a mounting point for the ductwork and the ceiling diffuser later on.
How Do Swamp Coolers Function?
Evaporative coolers work by bringing in cool air from outside to replace the warm air in the house. As a result, you must open windows or doors to allow the warm air to escape. If this is a security concern for you, you might consider installing ceiling vents.
Moreover, make sure that you plug your evaporative cooler into a nearby 120-volt wall outlet.
Make sure there is an electrical disconnect for your safety while performing maintenance. There is no need for additional wiring (unlike air conditioners that often require a high amperage power circuit). You should also install a low voltage thermostat that automatically turns the cooler on and off. Finally, ensure that an accessible cooler water shutoff valve is available. Also, read more about the role of UV light in Buford for a better understanding.
You should install coolers at least 10 feet away from and no less than 3 feet below plumbing vents. In addition to this, take extra care of these cooler around combustion appliance flues, clothes dryer vents, or exhaust fan vents. Keep your Animals, yard chemicals, fuels, and solvents away from the cooler. Allow at least 3 feet of clearance to any cooler side that requires maintenance access.
After one pump cycle, check the float valve setting on your cooler. This way, you can ensure that the float isn’t set too high, causing the reservoir to overflow.
We hope this article has met your query about how to install swamp cooler ducting. It has an easy process. However, you should always be wearing your protective gear during the process.