Need to cool my auto shop. My fans not helping much.

I have an auto shop that is getting very hot now that its summer. The big box fan I have in the corner just isn't cutting it. It just seems to circulate more hot air. My automotive repair business is located in a hot climate, so it stays hot most of the year. I need to find a cost effective way to cool my mechanic's work area without actually air conditioning the shop. The electricity cost would kill my business! Help! Is there another way to make it cooler and a more comfortable work environment?

Great question and thanks for the email. I think the solution for your dilemma is an evaporative cooler or (as they are sometimes known as) a swamp cooler. This product is a good replacement to a box fan. Basically, they work by hooking up a standard garden hose to supply water. The water is then filter through a vertical pad of cellulose fiber and a fan to draw air through the porous pad as the water runs down the medium and is absorbed. As dry air moves over the wet pad, water evaporates, and the air gives up its heat. The air moving from the wet pad into your automotive shop is cooler than the outdoor air. They come in several different sizes. The one drawback is that evaporative coolers add moisture to the air and generally increase the humidity in a room. This is the reason swamp coolers have fallen out of favor in residential use. However, they are great for the auto shop or garage. Humidity is generally not a concern and most people just want a fan that will blow cooler air. A large evaporative cooler is also great for a deck or other outdoor activities.