Evap Cooler Pads! which is best? The 3 types (and how they compare) - the pros and cons of each

this video is a discussion of the various types of evap cooler pads (and which is best to use when making DIY evap cooling units). some are great and some are dangerous. this is a frank, direct discussion of the 3 types of pads and their pluses and minuses. the 3 types are aspen pads (also known as wood-wool or grass pads), rigid media pads (also known as honeycomb pads), and foamed polyester pads (the blue ones). several close-up images of the pads (and a list of their pros and cons) is located in the second half of the video. over the years i've literally made dozens of different types of DIY evap coolers. these are my observations. to see any (or all) of my evap units just check my channel page (or click on the playlist tab) and look for the evap cooler playlist. if you like the video please rate, comment sub and share it around 👍🙂
note that i'm very critical of the aspen pads. this is for several reasons, but mainly because they pose a significant fire risk if used in a typical DIY evap unit (details in the video). i've never used aspen pads in any of my DIY units. the other 2 types of pads are totally safe and i recommend using them.

[@a787fxr]

I finished building mine from your video plans. I used the blue filter with pvc frame and this thing really works amazingly well. !:- )

[@desertsun02]

awesome!

[@JonneytheKidd]

Where did you get the blue pads? I see similar ones, but not sure if it's the right one: www.amazon.com/dp/B00B50UPE0/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pf_rd_p=89ee1d2e-380f-4a05-89e5-d22eb0a17762&pf_rd_r=HNJ8BKAXDBERTCZDZ55X&pd_rd_wg=7WBGw&pd_rd_w=gbPsS&content-id=amzn1.sym.89ee1d2e-380f-4a05-89e5-d22eb0a17762&pd_rd_r=45da9fb7-cfe3-44ac-abee-c4c91cf2f801&s=home-garden&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&smid=A3RL0O5SVLKWDZ&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFXSVRONjFMUEhYOVomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMjE3MzUyQjQ0SzhJS0M0NTdSJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0NDY2MDcxVE82QUZQQjY1TTlPJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

[@desertsun02]

@Doug van der Hoop hi, no those aren't the right ones. you want the 'foamed polyester' evap cooler pads. the ones on amazon are usually way over priced. a big sheet of it should not cost more than about 10 or 11 dollars. here is a link to a sheet of it from home depot for 11 dollars www.homedepot.com/p/DIAL-DuraCool-28-in-x-34-in-Evaporative-Cooler-Pad-3072/100343463

[@myanime101]

all things considered nothing beats the smell of fresh aspen pads smells so good but is very short lived lol

[@chetabird]

I think its important to look at what things are made of and your health. I just got a new swamp cooler, an aero cool thar uses the rigid media. A smokey toxic smell was blowing in from my new unit. Smelled like a burning pot left on the stove. I felt dizzy, and got asthma symptoms. I am sensitive so am affected quickly by toxins. Everyone said it was just dust, but it wasnt a musty smell. I called a company that tests air quality. The owner of the air testing co, of over 20 years said he had an aero cool/mastercool and tested the air of his own with new pads, and he said it's formaldahyde! Formaldahyde is a highly toxic substance & can cause headache asthma and in high amounts cancer in lab animals. This is not something we want to breathe. They are coating the rigid media pads in it. I watched a video of a cooling expert, and he said there is only 1 company out there making a rigid pad that is formaldahyde free. Be careful, even my plumber installing new units said it was dirt and then said glue.

[@desertsun02]

hi and thanks for the info 👍 (i didn't know those rigid media cardboard ones had chemicals in them). i don't usually use the rigid media because it's super expensive

[@chetabird]

@@desertsun02 You're so welcome. Who knew your saving money was also good for your health.: )

[@rynait]

Interesting piece of information. yes there are "glue" that uses formaldehyde (common in OSB and blond hardboards). From my wood working experience source of formaldehyde is additive to resin!. I was told adding formaldehyde to resin cures (dries) much faster. making me wonder the coating in green-brown paper is resin?

[@emailromo]

So what is the company with good pads ?

[@magnoid]

Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate you putting all these vids up! Love your channel!

[@desertsun02]

hi and thanks!

[@vtrandal]

The aspen pad is wet most the time? If so then: Most the time it’s not a fire hazard. Yes? No?

[@desertsun02]

the aspen pads are essentially just tons of dry twigs interwoven together. super dangerous to use these in a DIY evap cooler. pads often have dry areas even when the unit is running. they might be okay if used in a store-bought evap cooler but i would never use them in a DIY unit. after i made the video i threw out all of the aspen pads. i don't even want them around my house. even just one spark might be enough to set a pad on fire. and they might go up in flames like an old dried out x-mas tree.

[@donaldbroham3994]

That would have been an awesome!!! What a waste of flammable material.

[@MichaelR58]

Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@desertsun02]

Thanks, you too!

[@jillhull7358]

❤❤VERYeducational

[@townbell2248]

I wonder if the coco plant liners would work? A local greenhouse sells it by the foot but I am not sure if it would shed like what you shown

[@matthewschmitt4151]

Excellent video, very helpful. Thank you sir.

[@desertsun02]

hi and thank you! 🙂

[@chrisofchrisandmartha9650]

aspen pads are good outside the house evap coolers, i never tried inside but yes could be messy inside but mine don't shed much outside in a standard cooler.

[@jaguiar45]

I would never have thought of these blue pads I have looked at a miiion times but never really saw them. I think I might give these a try I have been using the cardboard pads, thanks.

[@desertsun02]

i'm glad the video helped! the blue pads are great. you can find them at the home stores. avoid buying them from amazon if you can. they are typically waay overpriced on that site. they should cost no more than 8 to 12 dollars for a large (3 x 3 foot) sheet

[@tonygau65]

Hi sent you a pin regarding a GSHP made from old compressor dod you look at that I have an older home that was on a well but now on city water wondering if old well could be used for cooling and or heating

[@rec1952]

Is there any way that you can link to the blue pads? The only reason I ask is because when I search using Google I don't find any that are anywhere near as thick as the ones that you use. (They seem to be 'about' 1/4" or so) Also, in my Google Search the only ones that I see are YOURS in your videos! :) I searched for, "evaporative foam cooler pads", I also searched without using "evaporative", just in case. I remember that you said once that you can get them at Home Depot or Lowes, but I'd like to get some online if possible. Again, thank you VERY MUCH for your cool projects, I am definitely going to be making the one that you made a week or so ago, as soon as I can find the foam, I will. :)

[@desertsun02]

hi there. sure i can give you some links. the best way to find the blue pads is to seach for 'foamed polyester evap cooler pad' when i do that on google a whole page of them shows up. home depot or lowes is a good place to get them. they still have them for 8 to 9 dollars. amazon is way overpriced. as a matter a fact i just seached the desert southwest (arizona, new mexico and california) and the prices at home depot are the same in all the states (even california). i'm sure you could get them on home depots website. here's a link to a random home depot store in albuquerque nm that has them. this is a big sheet of it for $8.70 (and they've got over 700 of them). price has been steady for the last 5 years or so. www.homedepot.com/p/DIAL-DuraCool-28-in-x-34-in-Evaporative-Cooler-Pad-3072/100343463 by the way they are all the same thickness. they are about 1 to 1.5" thick. (that is pretty standard for them). must be a bad online picture.

[@impetiousdoom]

Double them up for 3” thickness

[@joelamy67]

The blue pads can be found everywhere Walmart home Depot Lowe's

[@dragasan]

Yeah, I bought the least recommended years ago for my greenhouse cooling. They didn't even last 6 months.

[@tomsbederick710]

Have you ever experiment with cross-stitch or jute cloth?

[@desertsun02]

hi. i don't know what cross stitch is. i haven't tried jute cloth but i'd say it's worth trying.

[@felixjimenez6194]

Does the blue pad have a smell to it when working because the honey combs do and it stinks might have to switch please reply and thank you

[@desertsun02]

the blue pad doesn't have any smell. the honeycomb one (the one that looks like it's made of cardboard) smells like wet cardboard.

[@felixjimenez6194]

@@desertsun02 do you about how long do they last

[@DexterCDeery]

I can’t find the blue stuff anywhere. Do you get them from a supply house?

[@desertsun02]

hi. i get the blue pads at home depot and lowes. they've got lots of them. it is sold online too. to find it search for 'foamed polyester' evap cooler pad.

[@Staypretending]

why is that even a selection if so dangerous lol geez

[@desertsun02]

i know, right. it's crazy. i think the industry is getting away from those pads but i can't believe they ever used them.

[@yanndepierre59]

Anyone knows where to find these blue pads for a decent price in UK? £100 seems excessive...

[@desertsun02]

here in the states a good fair price is 9 or 10 dollars for a 3 foot by 3 foot sheet of it. not sure where you can get it in UK.

[@yvan2563]

Crazy prices in Canada, too. For an alternative, I'm going to test with "Scotch-Brite Non Scratch Scrub Pad" since they seem to be polyester and looks quite similar.

[@ImRichRu]

Where are you getting the blue pads from at that price?

[@desertsun02]

i usually get them at home depot or lowes. they typically cost about 10 dollars (for the largest 3x3 foot ones). i think they have gone up to 12 dollars recently (recent inflation) but still very low cost.

[@JayDustheadz]

@@desertsun02 Eh, it's almost impossible to find those in Europe :( Got any ideas where should I start searching?

[@LFSIDIndonesiaOld]

Foamed polyester pad doesnt exist in my country 😢, can i use dacron pad (fish tank filter)

[@desertsun02]

hi. i don't think fish tank filter will work. the next best pad is the pad that looks like cardboard.

[@materquality]

@@desertsun02 hi, How about using biofoam aquarium filter, that gonna work right ?

[@elgmichoacan818]

Have to replace the pads on the master cool I have but the cheapest I found go for like 120 so I was thinking of using Aspen pads but now I think il try those Blue ones