Evaporative cooling aka swamp cooling

[birdlover70]

Is evaporative cooling aka swamp cooling safe to have in a home with a bird? (Relocating in the near future. Currently house-hunting)

 

[rheashard2]

I've used them. Properly set up and covered they are bird safe. But mold grows easily. It was a hassle keeping levels good and it clean. I didn't use disinfectant because vast majority are not bird safe. I still keep it as emergency backup.

 

[TiredOldMan]

As long as you keep it clean so mold doesn't grow I think they are actually good. They also act as a humidifier.

 

[birdlover70]

As long as you keep it clean so mold doesn't grow I think they are actually good. They also act as a humidifier.

Thanks. Have you ever owned one? If so, how is it kept clean? Would I need to hire a service to clean out the mold and maintain it? What will they be using to clean it and how often? Do you think it's safer than refrigerated air?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Is refrigerated air a regular AC unit? If so, why do you think they aren't safe? Due to mold problems I think swamp coolers are less safe than AC.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Some people complain that the additional humidity generated by swamp coolers is a bad feature especially in humid climates. In desert areas it would be a blessing.
I'm not against swamp coolers if kept clean enough. I like anything that helps with climate control because I can't tolerte indoor temps over about 76 especially when its humid.

 

[birdlover70]

Is refrigerated air a regular AC unit? If so, why do you think they aren't safe? Due to mold problems I think swamp coolers are less safe than AC.

No, it would be central. I don't like the idea of mold either. I'm house hunting in new mexico. Some homes are swamp

 

[birdlover70]

As long as you keep it clean so mold doesn't grow I think they are actually good. They also act as a humidifier.

Oh! This is good! The fact that swamp coolers also humidify is a good thing because my bird will need that due to the dry heat in new mexico.

 

[birdlover70]

Oh! This is good! The fact that swamp coolers also humidify is a good thing because my bird will need that due to the dry heat in new mexico. Right?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Yup. Like Arizona, a lot of New Mexico is very dry. Added humidity would be great for the birds and the humans. On the east coast it's way too humid a lot of the year.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Some birds like budgies and cockatiels are native to dry climates in Australia so I don't think they suffer in dry air as much but most Amazons, Macaws, Conures, Ekkies, Greys, Indian Ringnecks, and many Cockatoos are from more wet climates and need the humidity more. You should try to get a place with real AC but swamp coolers are an alternative if you can't. No climate control in summer is not an alternative if you care about your comfort and your pets'. Heat waves are getting more common and can be devastating. People and pets can die.
Another thing that adds humidity to a room is a large tropical freshwater fish aquarium. Especially in smaller rooms. The warm water evaporates and adds quite a bit of moisture to the air.

 

[birdlover70]

Some birds like budgies and cockatiels are native to dry climates in Australia so I don't think they suffer in dry air as much but most Amazons, Macaws, Conures, Ekkies, Greys, Indian Ringnecks, and many Cockatoos are from more wet climates and need the humidity more. You should try to get a place with real AC but swamp coolers are an alternative if you can't. No climate control in summer is not an alternative if you care about your comfort and your pets'. Heat waves are getting more common and can be devastating. People and pets can die.
Another thing that adds humidity to a room is a large tropical freshwater fish aquarium. Especially in smaller rooms. The warm water evaporates and adds quite a bit of moisture to the air.

Interesting!