July 9, 2022
Borrego Springs, California: A Guide to Using Swamp Coolers
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Efficiently Using Swamp Coolers in Borrego Springs
In Borrego Springs, California, swamp coolers are an eco-friendly and cost-effective method to cool your home. Understanding their functionality and limitations is crucial for optimal use. Swamp coolers draw in hot, dry air from outside, passing it over water-saturated pads, which cools and humidifies the air before it’s circulated indoors. This process can reduce the temperature by up to 15 degrees, but it is less effective on extremely hot days when the cooler might struggle to cool the air sufficiently, potentially increasing indoor humidity.
Maximizing Swamp Cooler Efficiency
To get the best performance from your swamp cooler, consider these guidelines:
- Proper Sizing: Ensure your swamp cooler is appropriately sized for your home. An undersized cooler won't effectively cool your space.
- Maintenance: Keep the pads clean and well-hydrated. Dirty or dry pads diminish the cooler's efficiency.
- Supplemental Cooling: Use ceiling fans or open windows in conjunction with your swamp cooler to help circulate the cooled air.
- Optimal Timing: Avoid using the cooler during the hottest parts of the day to prevent excessive humidity and inefficiency.
By following these tips, you can maintain a comfortable home environment in Borrego Springs with your swamp cooler.
Best Locations for Swamp Coolers
The placement of your swamp cooler is vital for its efficiency. Here are key considerations:
- Access to Fresh Air: Position the cooler where it can draw in plenty of fresh, dry air, typically on the side of the house that gets the most sun.
- Circulation: Place the cooler near a window or door to facilitate the circulation of cooled air throughout your home.
Post-Season Care for Your Swamp Cooler
Proper storage and maintenance at the end of the hot season ensure your swamp cooler remains in top condition.
Here’s how to protect your cooler:
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the cooler, removing any dirt or debris from the pads and water tray.
- Draining and Storage: Drain the water and remove the pads, storing them in a cool, dry place. Ensure they are completely dry before reuse.
- Covering: Protect the cooler with a waterproof tarp or cover to shield it from the elements.
- Indoor Storage: If storing in a garage or shed, ensure the cooler is not in direct sunlight, as excessive heat can dry out the pads. Be mindful that in desert areas, garages can become extremely hot.
By adhering to these care tips, your swamp cooler will be ready for use when temperatures rise again, ensuring longevity and optimal performance.
Additional Tips for Desert Areas
In desert climates like Borrego Springs, it's essential to consider the extreme conditions your swamp cooler will face. Regular checks and prompt maintenance can prevent common issues such as pad dryness and dust accumulation, ensuring your cooler functions effectively throughout the season.
For more detailed information and specific guidelines, you can visit the following sources:
Learn More About Borrego Springs
Ricardo Breceda’s New Sculptures Installed on Borrego Springs Road The community gathered on December 5 for the unveiling of Battle of the Desert, the newest addition to Borrego Springs’ iconic Sky Art by sculptor Ricardo Breceda. Installed at 4990 Borrego Springs Road, the pair of towering steel figures—a Greater Roadrunner and a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake—now join the region’s well-known collection of more than 130 Breceda sculptures that define the local landscape. Commissioned by Rams Hill and Borrego Community Builders, a Rams Hill initiative supporting community development and Borrego Community Homes, the installation highlights the wildlife and ecological relationships that shape the Anza-Borrego Desert. The roadrunner and rattlesnake are two of the desert’s most recognizable species, each playing a key role in rodent control and ecological balance. A permanent interpretive sign was also introduced during the event, explaining the meaning behind the sculptures and Breceda’s long-standing impact on desert art in Borrego Springs. Speakers included Rodney Bruce (Rams Hill), Wade Beane (Borrego Art Institute and Honorary Mayor of Borrego Springs), Gabriela Dow and Jennifer Sencion (Borrego Community Builders), Harry Turner (COO), and Ricardo Breceda, who spoke about the creativity and craftsmanship behind his work. The program acknowledged the collaborative planning behind the installation and the ongoing efforts to expand public art in the community. Following the unveiling, attendees were invited to a reception at Rams Hill. Breceda’s new roadrunner and rattlesnake join the larger Sky Art story—a regional landmark that continues to draw visitors, celebrate desert wildlife, and honor the artistic history shaped by the late philanthropist Dennis Avery’s original vision for large-scale, outdoor public sculpture in Borrego Springs.
Happy Thanksgiving! The Borrego Springs Welcome Sign committee is grateful to the many individuals and businesses who have supported efforts to construct the first new “Welcome to Borrego Springs” sign since the 1970’s. Because of their support, we have raised almost $29,000. Donations have ranged from $10 - $5,000 and we are thankful for every single dollar. Apparently costs to construct and install the signs have gone up significantly in the last year and a half. Therefore, when we thought we had almost reached our fundraising goal, we were told we might need as much as 50% more. The Borrego Village Association has got to work looking at alternative vendors, we are currently requesting estimates, and still hoping to get the job done for closer to the original estimate. If you pledged funds, that pledge will likely be requested in December or January. If you donated cash, please know that it is safely in an account earmarked for the welcome sign. If you haven’t donated yet, PLEASE DO! More funding is certainly needed and appreciated, especially as we have two more signs to construct after this one. To donate: The Borrego Village Association, a 501c(6) c, nonprofit organization, is leading the fundraising. Contributions checks can be made out to the Borrego Village Association and sent to Borrego Village Association. P.O. Box 1133, Borrego Springs, CA 92004. Donations can also be made via PayPal found on our website at BorregoVillageAssociation.org, or made via Zelle transfer. Pledges can be made using the form below. If you have any questions or require further information, email BorregoVillage@gmail.com Happy holidays and with many thanks to those who have - or will - donate, The Welcome Sign Committee - Jim Dion, Bruce Durbin, Nancy McRae, Alicia Wszelaki -- James Dion Executive Director Borrego Village Association Learn More About Borrego Springs
Thank you Susan L Forsburg for sharing your photos of Patrick.
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