Basics on Evaporative (Swamp) Coolers

Evaporative coolers (also called swamp coolers) consume between one third and one-tenth of the electricity used by air conditioners. And they cost only a fraction of air conditioners…

Too good to be true? Not exactly, but there are indeed some limitations: they aren't suitable for humid climates.

See:
Evaporative coolers prices
Evaporative coolers and climate zones


Limitations of evaporative coolers

Evaporative coolers are an exceptional alternative to air conditioning, but they are appliances for dry climates. In humid climates they loose their efficiency and may easily become a cause of excessive humidity and discomfort.

See for details:
Evaporative coolers and climate zones


What Are Swamp Coollers

An evaporative/swamp cooler is basically a box-like frame with a water pump and a motor that drives a big fan that captures and forces outdoor air through water-soaked pads, filtering and cooling it, before driving the resulting cooled air into the home (causing warmer home’s air to be pushed out through windows or vents…).

It’s a very simple system in its essence, but there are some modern variations, while performance can vary a lot, namely with climate.

See:
Types of evaporative coolers: portable, two-stage, direct


Evaporative Coolers: Installation and Sizing

The installation of evaporative coolers - often on the roof, but not necessarily - is an easy task, but sizing is usually a more important issue.

See, for details:
Evaporative Coolers Installation and Sizing


Evaporative Coolers and Environment

Evaporative coolers consume electricity, but they allow huge savings comparatively to air conditioners. And they do not produce CFC or other harmful emissions.


Evaporative Coolers & Health

With an evaporative cooler you get a complete house air change every few minutes, which is a great health advantage over traditional air conditioning, always re-circulating the same air.


Evaporative coolers and air conditioners

Evaporative coolers is an alternative to conventional air conditioners in dry climates. It’s a cheaper alternative with a fraction of the operative costs of air conditioners. Obviously they can be used in conjunction, but not simultaneously.

See: Evaporative Coolers Operation


Electricity and water consumption

An evaporative cooler is electrically powered, and consumes small amounts of electricity comparatively to other cooling alternatives: about one fourth to one tenth of the electricity of conventional air conditioners.  

Evaporative coolers also consume water: between 4 and 10 gallons (15-40 liters of water) per hour of operation, which may be significant in arid climates.

Evaporative coolers operation and maintenance

During operation time of evaporative coolers, windows (or ceiling vents) and rooms should be open. Evaporative coolers also demand regular monthly do-it-yourself maintenance.

See, for details:
Swamp Coolers operation
Evaporative Coolers Maintenance





See also:
Evaporative Coolers Maintenance
Evaporative Coolers Operation
Evaporative Coolers Installation and Sizing
Types of evaporative coolers: portable, two-stage, direct
Evaporative coolers and climate zones
Alternatives to Air Conditioning
Evaporative coolers prices

More information:
American Society of Heating and Engineers (ASHRAE).
Toolbase Oraganization


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