<p>My daughter will be attending Redlands in Southern California. Unfortunately her dorm does not have air conditioning. For the first time, Redlands is allowing portable evaporative coolers in the dorms. Does anyone have any experience with these? Would it be better to just get a fan? Any help would be appreciated!</p>
<p>I grew up in the Inland Empire and it does get hot into September some times. I think you’d really want to look at how noisy a small evaporative cooler would be before getting serious about it and buying it before checking out the room also seems tricky. The nice thing about a small fan is that it can be positioned in a variety of ways (in the window, right on your desk/pillow, etc.). The window type evaporative cooler I grew up with was noisy and darkened the window. Now I’m sure they have cool modular units but the sound would matter to me anyway. My d is going to school in Eastern Washington (where it was 105 last week) but I’m planning to wait and buy a fan there rather than risk taking/shipping one. You definitely will not have a problem finding a fan (or cooler) to buy in Redlands.</p>
<p>how about a fanless, sonic vaporizer and a fan? Something we used in the recent hot weather in Oregon.</p>
<p>Thanks for both of your comments! I hadn’t thought of the noise issue and will also look into the sonic vaporizer!</p>
<p>I don’t see how a sonic vaporizer will cool down the room but then I’ve never tried it. </p>
<p>I have been in buildings/homes with evap coolers (in Arizona) and they worked fairly well - not as good as a/c but better than just a fan. They did require some maintenance though because of the plumbing. These were bigger whole house or commercial units.</p>
<p>I’d get a fan and try that first because they’re inexpensive and will help and then if that doesn’t help keep the student cool enough, consider the evap cooler. I’m surprised that a U in Redlands wouldn’t have a/c given the location. Maybe they figure if they get too hot they can just take a quick drive up the mountain.</p>
<p>I would go with the evaporative cooler, because Redlands can get very hot and dry in the late summer/early fall. (my brother lives there)</p>
<p>UC2D, think outdoor misters.</p>
<p>^^ Yeah but it doesn’t seem that an ultrasonic vaporizer would distribute enough moisture to make much of a difference whereas the outdoor misters put out a lot of water.</p>
<p>We are only talking about a dorm room here, not the entire bistro. </p>
<p>I used to have a mister with a fan. I could put out 200 gals in 30 minutes easily and if the weather was just right, I could make my own snow. (orchard sprayer with 70mph wind at the nozzle, minimum)</p>
<p>Will your daughter have to move her own things in and out of dorm storage be herself every year? Or will the parents be there as sherpas? A fan would be lighter and easier to pack/move/store.</p>
<p>We will probably be there to help her move but good point. I wonder about the noise factor and also the upkeep of the evaporator. Thanks again for all your comments!</p>