Pros & Cons of Swamp Coolers

Function

• Evaporative coolers use the cooling properties of evaporating water to cool the air. Coolers have pumps and piping that send water to the top of the pads, where it trickles down. A motor turns a fan or squirrel cage, drawing air through the pads that evaporate the water. The air runs through the house either through ducts or from a window or hole in the wall or ceiling. Windows must be open slightly for the air to pass through the house. The output temperatures vary depending on the temperature outside. The air may be chilly in the morning and warm in the afternoon, cooling at night as temperatures fall.

Considerations

• The maintenance the coolers require may be one of the biggest disadvantages of using the unit, especially if the cooler sits on a roof, requiring a ladder to access. When the pads fill with mineral deposits, the coolers do not work as well and the pads either need to be cleaned or replaced. Cleaning the pads can be a challenge, since the mineral deposits stick to the surface of the pads tightly.

Benefits

• Many people use swamp coolers because they like the low operating costs as well as the constant source of fresh air in the house, unlike air conditioning, which requires the home or building to be tightly sealed to operate efficiently. Evaporative coolers also bring humidity into a structure, and when humidity levels are low, both people and plants benefit from extra water in the air. When the humidity increases, however, the extra humidity promotes mold and mildew growth in the building, which can create a health hazard.

Warning

• People who are not mechanically inclined or do not like to work on roofs should reconsider installing a cooler. Although most of the maintenance is easy, it still requires a few tools and effort to keep the pads clean and the equipment oiled. While evaporative coolers do not use as much electricity as air conditioners, they use a lot of water. Hiring someone to maintain the unit drives up the operating costs. The price of water varies depending on its availability and in dry climates; it's common for water prices to be high, offsetting any financial gains from using less electricity.