Garages & Service Bays
Direct portable airflow toward active work areas without permanently installing cooling equipment in each bay.
Evaporative Cooling Guide
Swamp Coolers Explained
Learn how evaporative coolers work, where they work best and what to consider when choosing a portable cooling system for your workspace.
Start Here
Choosing the right swamp cooler.
“Swamp cooler” is a common name for an evaporative air cooler—a system that uses water evaporation and moving air to provide cooling.
The right system depends on more than the physical size of the cooler. Climate, ventilation, workspace size, airflow needs, installation requirements and portability can all influence which type of evaporative cooling system makes sense.
Use this guide to understand the fundamentals before comparing individual Cool Boss models and specifications.
01 — HOW IT WORKS
Evaporative Cooling Explained
See how water, evaporative media and airflow work together to lower the temperature of incoming air.
Learn How It Works 02 — COOLER TYPESDirect, Indirect & Mounted
Understand the major types of evaporative cooling systems and how their applications differ.
Compare Cooler Types 03 — PERFORMANCEClimate & Cooling Performance
Learn why temperature, relative humidity and airflow affect evaporative cooling performance.
Explore Performance 04 — APPLICATIONSWhere Evaporative Cooling Fits
Explore automotive, industrial, sports, events and other environments where portable airflow can be useful.
Explore Applications 05 — FEATURESCool Boss Features Explained
Take a closer look at the components, controls and convenience features available across the Cool Boss lineup.
Explore Features 06 — SPECSCompare Specifications
Review model specifications when you're ready to narrow the lineup to the equipment that fits your application.
View Specifications
The Basics
How does a swamp cooler work?
Direct evaporative cooling starts with warm outside air and water-saturated evaporative media.
A fan draws warm air through the wet media. As some of the water evaporates, the phase change absorbs heat from the incoming air. The fan then moves that cooler, more humid air into the workspace.
Because direct evaporative cooling introduces fresh air rather than simply recirculating enclosed air, ventilation and a path for air to leave the space are important.
See the Full Process
Commercial Applications
Built around airflow and fresh air.
Portable evaporative cooling can be particularly useful in large, open or well-ventilated spaces where conventional refrigerated air conditioning may be difficult to apply.
Shops & Warehouses
Add airflow to large workspaces where doors, loading areas and other openings already provide fresh-air exchange.
Events, Sports & More
Portable equipment can be repositioned as people, work zones or cooling needs change.
Cooler Types
Not every evaporative cooler works the same way.
Evaporative cooling systems can use different approaches depending on the building, application and desired installation.
Direct evaporative systems introduce evaporatively cooled air into the space. Indirect systems use a heat exchanger to separate the primary supply air from the evaporative stage. Other systems may be permanently mounted at the ground, window or roof level.
Cool Boss focuses on portable direct evaporative cooling—giving users the ability to position airflow where it is needed.
Compare Evaporative Cooler Types
Before You Choose
Start with your environment.
Instead of choosing by cabinet size alone, consider the conditions in which the cooler will actually operate.
Temperature & Humidity
Evaporative cooling potential changes with ambient temperature and relative humidity. Hotter, drier air generally provides more opportunity for evaporation.
Size & Ventilation
Consider the dimensions of the space, where fresh air enters, where air can exit and the areas that actually need cooling.
Placement & Direction
Think about where people are working and how cooled airflow can move through those active zones.
Why Cool Boss
Portable cooling for changing workspaces.
Cool Boss combines direct evaporative cooling with equipment designed around mobility and high-volume airflow.
Instead of treating every application as a permanently conditioned room, portable evaporative cooling lets you position the equipment closer to the work area and move it as needs change.
Features and specifications vary by model, so compare the individual Cool Boss units when choosing equipment for a specific space.
Explore Why Cool Boss
Maintenance
Keep air and water moving properly.
Like any equipment that moves air and water, an evaporative cooler benefits from regular inspection and maintenance.
Maintenance requirements vary by model and operating conditions. Evaporative media, water systems, reservoirs, filters or screens and other components should be inspected and serviced according to the instructions for the individual unit.
Water quality and frequency of use can also influence cleaning and maintenance intervals. Refer to your Cool Boss manual for the procedures and schedule that apply to your model.
Visit Cool Boss Support
Research Your Options
Ready to go deeper?
Use these resources to compare how Cool Boss works, what features are available and which models fit your application.
Features
Features Explained
Explore the components and convenience features available across the Cool Boss lineup.
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Specifications
Compare the Lineup
Review specifications when narrowing your options to individual Cool Boss models.
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Applications
Explore Cool Boss Uses
See how portable evaporative cooling fits automotive, industrial, sports and other environments.
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Find Your Cool Boss
Ready to compare air coolers?
Explore the Cool Boss lineup and compare individual features and specifications for your workspace.
Choosing the Right Swamp Cooler
Use this page as your friendly neighborhood portable evaporative air cooler information center! The links below will help you learn everything you need to know about swamp coolers before making a decision on which one is right for your shop or business.
How Does a Swamp Cooler Work?
Get the lowdown on how a portable swamp cooler reduces temperatures in your work area by as much as 26°F. Easy-to-understand instructions and graphics break down how these simple cooling fans use the natural process of water vapor evaporation to chill the air.
Commercial Applications
The Cool Boss evaporative air cooler is designed for large industrial spaces. Do a quick walk around your work area and plan out the best spot for your swamp cooler. Ideally, it will have access to dry outdoor air, but humidity levels often change from dawn till dusk. In other words, don’t write off swamp coolers simply because it’s humid in the morning and at night. Humidity levels often drop in the middle of the day when the sun is brightest and you most need industrial cooling.
Types of Evaporative Air Coolers
Not all swamp coolers are made equal. True value means saving the most money for the best product that requires the least maintenance while still getting the job done right. Learn what type of air cooler is best for your needs.
Cool Boss vs. Other Portable Evaporative Air Coolers
Why choose from the rest when Cool Boss offers the best? We’re proud to give you the best value swamp cooler on the market in terms of air power, cooling ability and durability. Here we cover what makes our swamp cooler stand above the competition.
Air Cooler Maintenance
The biggest advantage of Cool Boss is how easy it is to maintain. With simple upkeep and low operating costs, it’s an affordable way to keep your shop cool without adding another maintenance headache.