The heat in Austin is intense in the summer, and hot weather can linger through many other times of the year. That means air conditioning systems take on immense workloads. You probably have a central air conditioner for your home, so you know how high electrical bills rise when the AC runs. When you hear about a possible energy-saving alternative like an evaporative cooler, you might start to consider making the change.
And then you’ll stop because … maybe this “evaporative cooler” thing won’t do the job?
You’re already thinking the right way. Healthy skepticism about any type of new comfort system (or new to you) is wise. You never want to impulsively purchase HVAC equipment because there is no such thing as a universal air conditioning or heating system. Certified professionals must not only find the right type of unit for a house but also accurately size it so it’s neither too weak nor too powerful.
Evaporative coolers can work as effective air conditioning systems for homes. But they are not right for all homes in all areas of the country. Let’s dig deeper into the particulars.
How Does Evaporative Cooling Work?
What differs between a standard central AC and an evaporative cooler is the cooling mechanism.
- A standard air conditioner circulates refrigerant to pump heat from inside the house to the outside. Electrical power goes to a compressor to super-heat the refrigerant and places it under extreme pressure so it circulates. Electricity also powers a set of exhaust and blower fans.
- An evaporative cooler uses the water to cool off air brought in from outside the house. Water is pumped onto the pads the air passes over, and the air loses its heat to the water—this is evaporative cooling. Electrical power goes to the pumps wetting the pads and to the blower fan.
An evaporative cooler is simpler than a refrigerant-based air conditioner, and it consumes less electrical power to cool the air. It also has the benefit of bringing in fresh air and raising the humidity in dry conditions.
Will Evaporative Cooling Work for Your Home?
We can’t provide a definite answer in a blog post because we need to examine your home. However, we live in one of the best environments for evaporative coolers—a dry one. High humidity makes it harder for evaporative cooling to work. Under dry, hot conditions, an evaporative cooler can work just as well as a refrigerant-based air conditioner. For example, on the day we’re writing this, relative humidity is at 14% and the temperature is in the mid-80s. Under these conditions, an evaporative cooler can lower the temperature down to the low 60s! That’s far cooler than you’ll ever need your home. Even on 90°F days with average humidity, an evaporative cooler can lower a home’s temperature to a comfortable range.
The lowdown: an evaporative cooler is definitely worth considering.
If you would like to learn more about evaporative cooler installation, or you have other troubles like AC repair in Kyle, TX, you can trust our technicians for the service you need.
Choose iAir Services, where the intelligent choice today makes cents tomorrow! Contact us for more information about your cooling options.
FAQs
Certified professionals must not only find the right type of unit for a house but also accurately size it so it's neither too weak nor too powerful. Evaporative coolers can work as effective air conditioning systems for homes. But they are not right for all homes in all areas of the country.
Do evaporative coolers actually cool a room? ›
For very hot, dry air, a swamp cooler provides a lot of cooling. At 125° F and 2% humidity, an evaporative cooler can drop the air temperature to 83° F. In air that's not as hot but more humid, the cooling is much less significant.
Is evaporative cooling as good as air conditioning? ›
2. Evaporative cooling is less effective than air conditioning in providing comfort to people in hot and humid climates. It is true that evaporative cooling units become less effective in humid climates.
What are the drawbacks of evaporative cooling? ›
Drawbacks Due To High Humidity
If the humidity level rises due to overuse of an evaporative cooler, it can trigger asthma, allergic complications or a condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Do swamp coolers work when its 100 degrees? ›
Generally, with a well-maintained swamp cooler, there's a 20-degree difference between the temperature outside and the temperature inside your home. However, swamp coolers have a difficult time keeping up with high humidity and blazing summer temperatures over 100 degrees.
How many degrees will a swamp cooler cool? ›
Evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers, rely on this principle. By passing outdoor air over water-saturated pads, the water in the pads evaporate, reducing the air temperature by 15°- to 40°F-before it is directed into the home.
Which is better swamp cooler or air conditioner? ›
For budget savvy consumers, the swamp cooler is the more economical choice for summer cooling. Central AC does require some maintenance, but this is mostly clearing away debris from the compressor and making sure that the air filters are changed. Evaporative coolers require much more maintenance.
How do I keep my house cool with evaporative cooling? ›
The following tips will help to ensure you are getting the most out of your evaporative cooling system.
- Open doors and windows. ...
- Open opposite doors and windows. ...
- Use a low fan speed if possible. ...
- Adjust for humidity. ...
- Prevent air leakage in winter. ...
- Maintain your evaporative cooler.
Evaporative coolers can be very effective on hot days, just as long as they are dry hot days.
Should I get a fan or evaporative cooler? ›
Evaporative coolers offer a distinct advantage over standard fans. When you use a fan, the action of the blades does not actually cool the ambient air; it simply moves hot air around the room to speed up the evaporation of sweat.
If you have an evaporative air cooler (or air conditioner) in your public housing property, it's essential to know how to use and maintain it. If you use the system incorrectly, mould could grow in your home. Mould spores can damage your health.
Do swamp coolers cause mold? ›
Swamp coolers do have the potential to harbor mold and mildew. The pads do stay wet through the season, which means that mold could grow. In more humid weather, mold is more apt to grow. When you turn on the cooler, the mold in the device could be spread through the process of blowing the air out into the ducts.
What is the life expectancy of an evaporative cooling system? ›
What is the lifespan of an evaporative cooler? Evaporative cooling systems were built to last a long time. The average life expectancy is 15 – 20 years.
Is it OK to leave swamp cooler on all night? ›
Yes, you can leave an evaporative cooler running 24/7. Evaporative coolers rely on low-power fans that can run for long periods of time without an issue. While it's a good idea to switch the system off every now and then, you can use your evaporative cooler during extended stretches of hot weather.
Do swamp coolers work in 110 degrees? ›
Evaporative coolers are limited in that they can only lower the temperature a few degrees below the ambient temperature of the room. If it's 110 degrees outside, you need to lower the temperature inside by more than a few degrees.
What happens if you run a swamp cooler and AC at the same time? ›
Running the evaporative cooler and air conditioner at exactly the same time would be a bad idea. Evaporative coolers need air flow, and air conditioners need a closed area. Evaporative coolers add moisture to the air, while air conditioners remove moisture from the air.
Does swamp cooler work at 60% humidity? ›
If you live in a really humid place (averaging above 60%) you cannot realistically expect an evaporative air cooler to work like an air conditioner. At best, you'll get cooler air blown out at you, but it will not cool a room or a whole house as effectively as an air conditioner.
Do evaporative coolers work better than fans? ›
They provide more of a chill than fans and are more economical to run than air conditioners. The below guide will help you decide whether an evaporative cooler is the right solution to keep the heat under control in your household. How do they work?
