PACKA43 Portable Evaporative Cooler 350 CFM, Silver

Outstanding product for the price. First, you need to understand exactly what an evaporative cooler is. This uses phase transition (liquid water to vapor) to cool the air. Search for "enthalpy of vaporization". Water is recirculated and trickles over a cooler media of corrugated cellulose fiber. Air is drawn at fairly high volume across this media to cool it. This unit works great if you are in a DRY climate with relative humidity in the single digits, or at least below 15%. If you live in the southeast US where humidity is 80-90%, THIS WILL NOT WORK. It will be a fan, and nothing more. I live in SW US desert area and this is great for cooling the immediate area of my workbench in my garage. The downside is that it needs a constant supply of DRY air, so in an enclosed space it works for a while but effectiveness goes down as humidity goes up. No easy way to attach a duct to funnel in fresh dry air. Size wise this is not going to cool a whole garage, but it will keep your immediate work area comfortable.So, on to the specifics of this device -Pro - the controls are simple and intuitive. The water tank is big enough to last several hours. It includes a remote control, and variable speed fan, variable swing louvers. Has wheels for easy re-positioning. Uses cellulose corrugated media pad. High volume fan. High enough volume to cool a small work area (not a whole garage).Con - I have not tried yet, but cleaning it and/or replacing the media pad looks like a pain. No easy way to attach a duct.

I bought this with the understanding it would, as it claimed, drastically lower temperatures in my living space. I live in a tiny apartment that is actually supposedly within the size limit of the machine, and I live in a very dry climate, and used it while enduring a drought. Honestly? It worked a tiny bit, but hardly enough to fulfill its claims.Many of these evaporative cooler reviews tell you they'll only work well in dry climates (check) in small spaces (check) and even then are benefiting more from the power of the fan than the cooling offered by evaporation. Those reviews are at least partly right, except that this machine only works AT ALL in those conditions, and not well. I checked the guides, I fiddled with the settings, and I can say it barely cooled my living space by 2 degrees.The few positives I'd add are that the fan is powerful, having a remote and the ability to control it from far away is nice, and the machine's setup (wheels, relatively easy to fill, multiple speed settings and optional oscillation) are helpful. But if you want to truly COOL a space go find yourself either a better model with more power, or a more traditional air conditioner.Side note, the 'swampy' smell is dependent on the conditions you're in. Some coolers are especially bad about it, and this model isn't great about it. It's not unbearable, and if the water level and flow rate are relatively stable you might not have as much of a problem with the smell, but be warned that the smell DOES crop up from time to time.

Works well, I've had it for 6 months here in Las Vegas. Only problem has been the float sensor sticks once in a while, due to mineral buildup (Las Vegas tap water sucks!) You need to reach inside and move the float so the cool function works.This is a swamp cooler, and as such it requires some maintenance.1. Clean air filter often.2. Drain every week and fill with fresh water.3. Needs occasional "deep clean". Drain, disassemble and clean parts, fill with water and vinegar to remove scale and run for several hours outdoors, then drain and fill with fresh water.4. After sitting over the winter, the pump may stop working (due to calcium buildup) Remove the back and unscrew the pump, hit it a few times with a screwdriver handle. Put it back in and disconnect the hose, and let it run for a few minutes to flush the pump, then re-assemble. Should you need to replace the pump, you can find a similar replacement at your local Harbor Freight store.

I live in a Desert Climate so I very familiar with Swamp Coolers, I placed the KuulAire in the Master Bedroom, Id fill The KuulAire 3/4 full then poured ice in till the fill line was topped off. To the touch the air was semi cool but not cold kept it running for 2 or 3 hours and I honestly don't think the temp ever changed. We had 90 to 100 degree days here Id run the KuulAire come back to the room and te room was as hot as it was outside. Shortly after the pump in the back stop pumpingDon't waste your money on this unit

Not effective, basically an overpriced fan. It works in the fact that it circulates air, and maybe dropped the temperature by a few degrees, but when it is 100 degrees with no humidity, then you turn this swamp cooler on and it drops the temperature to 98 degrees with 50% humidity, you will quickly wish you never turned the unit on. I tried everything with cracked windows, ventilation, etc and it never felt like is was doing anything more than add moisture to the air. Save your time and money and buy an A/C if you are living in hot temps and looking for something to actually cool your space down.