Evaporative Coolers

An evaporative cooler is also known as a swamp cooler because it uses water to cool the air. Since evaporative coolers are an air conditioning alternative, it’s important to know the differences between the two devices. Air conditioners rely on compressors and condensers to cool and recirculate the air inside a sealed room. Alternatively, a swamp cooler is better at cooling open spaces with good ventilation and easy access to fresh air. Swamp coolers utilize re-fillable water tanks to saturate internal pads. Once warm outdoor air passes through the water-soaked pads, the water evaporates and reduces nearby air temperature. This means that evaporative coolers can be a great option for people who want to stay cool with the windows open. But it’s important to note that swamp coolers are best suited for warm, dry climates. For people who live in hot and humid weather, an evaporative cooler will add even more moisture to the air and be less effective at cooling. This may make evaporative coolers sound kind of like a humidifier — and they are, except humidifiers don’t use outside air and lack a cooling effect. Evaporative coolers are also different from your typical fans, which can make your space breezy but not necessarily lower the temperature. So if you’re looking for a way to make your air cooler but still have access to the fresh outdoors, a swamp cooler may be the right product for you. 

Evaporative air coolers are likely to give you more bang for your buck from the get-go. Compared to most air conditioning units, air coolers typically cost less, use less energy, and produce fewer emissions. This means you can save money up front and practice more sustainable living. But once you get your air cooler home, there are a few things you’ll need to know about installation and maintenance: many evaporative coolers require little to no installation, but check the specific model you’re thinking about buying because some swamp coolers must connect to ductwork or need to be installed on your roof. Or keep things simple by getting a portable swamp cooler that you can move from room to room. You can even use some portable evaporative coolers for outdoor patio cooling. To maintain your evaporative cooler, regularly clean and wipe down the outside of the machine and the inside of the water tank. You can try using filtered water from a water filter pitcher to reduce mineral buildup in your tank. You’ll also need to routinely change the internal cooling pads and filters of your swamp cooler to avoid opportunities for bacteria, mold and mildew to grow and spread. And if you’re worried about an evaporative cooler potentially bringing in outdoor allergens, you could invest in an air purifier to help remove any potential wilderness irritants.