I am writing this article because I just read an article about the benefits of buying Champion evaporative coolers (some call them swamp coolers). The author mentioned that they are of good quality, cost-effective and durable. All this is true. But then I thought, how could a man who has written hundreds of articles on interior decorating and outdoor lawn care know why these are quality units? I have installed and maintained them for years and can tell you why they are quality and durable. These are just a few of the reasons I recommend Champion.
Cooler air with Celdek Media
All Champion Ultracool and Mastercool units use Celdek media instead of the commonly used poplar pads. Aspen pads are made from shaved wood from aspen trees encased in a mesh of plastic gauze. These pads are usually only an inch thick. Celdek media is a cellulose cardboard material designed in honeycomb blocks. Most Ultracool and Mastercool models have a choice of 8-inch or 12-inch thick Celdek media. Air passing through 12 inches of media absorbs more water than air passing through 1 inch of media. More water absorbed into the air means cooler air is blown into your room. I once worked at a job that had a cooler with celdek media next to another with aspen pads. With my thermometer, I measured the air 5 degrees cooler in the unit using celdek media. I also found that celdek media generally lasted at least 5 years, while poplar pads should be changed at least once a year. Since most people dread maintenance work, going 5 years between media changes is a real bonus. Some poplar pad units rusted and had to be replaced after 5 years.
Designed to protect the cooler from corrosion
Champion uses several strategies to help its evaporative coolers last longer than other brands. First, after using heavy-gauge steel in their construction, they apply a polyester powder-coated finish. This coating has proven to be more durable than paint. They then use a plastic reservoir at the bottom of the water section, whereas most other brands hold the water in their metal container. With only the water evaporating into the air, the minerals, which are very corrosive, remain in the water tank. Corrosion usually starts in just a few years with most other units. Champion also installs vinyl siding between the celdek media and side panels. Ultracool and Mastercool units are designed so that water never touches the metal casing. Most other brands not only let the water sit in the metal bowl, but also have the wet aspen pads clamped against the metal side louvers with metal clamps. This often starts corrosion in the first few years.
I hope that these few points that I have mentioned will help you in the future to decide which brand of Cooler to buy. This information is not from brochures or advertisements trying to convince you to buy this brand. It came from many years of installing and maintaining all brands of Swamp Coolers.