Evaporative swamp coolers and conventional air conditioners are the two basic options for climate control equipment that are available to homeowners in hot and dry areas when it comes time to replace their older units with newer, more powerful, and more attractive versions. Each one has some redeeming qualities. The following are the most significant factors to take into account:
Initial Investment: Because they are much simpler pieces of equipment, evaporative swamp coolers may be purchased and installed for a great deal less money than a conventional air conditioner can. If you are planning to replace an old air conditioner, this additional expense may come as a surprise because they require a water line and a 110-volt socket to be run to the position of the unit. If you are thinking about switching from an evaporative cooler to an air conditioner, you should also evaluate whether or not you will need more ducting for the new unit to function at its optimal level.
Efficiency In The Use Of Energy: When compared to the cost of operating a conventional air conditioner, Swamp Coolers can provide savings of up to 75 percent in power expenses; however, the savings they provide are frequently offset by the significant amount of water that they use. Even though the system’s water is intended to be recycled, the usage of swamp cooler results in a significant increase in the amount of water that is required. In arid regions, where swamp coolers function most effectively, this might put you at a significant disadvantage, particularly if your region practices seasonal water rationing or sees an exponential spike in the cost of water throughout the summer months.
Quality Of The Air: When it comes to the quality of the air within a building, air conditioners come out on top. With an air conditioner, the quality of the air inside your home is generally much better. Air conditioners operate with the windows and doors of your home closed, drawing indoor air through a filter before returning it to the room. This improvement in air quality is dependent on the environment of your home as well as the filters that you choose to use. People who suffer from allergies or who live in locations that are prone to pollution or blowing dust may not want to have their windows open all the time, which is why an air conditioner is the most suitable option for them.
Indoor Relative Humidity: When it comes to reducing the amount of moisture present inside a building, evaporative swamp coolers and air conditioners operate in completely different ways. During the cooling process, air conditioners are responsible for removing the majority of the humidity from the home. Evaporative coolers are more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity than other types of coolers. They increase the humidity in the room to protect you from overheating. Evaporative swamp coolers can be beneficial additions to homes that suffer from persistent issues with static electricity and have an abnormally dry climate.
Maintenance Frequency: Changing the air filter once every 30 to 90 days, removing vegetation from the outdoor unit as needed, and spraying it down with a hose a couple of times a year are the general guidelines for the day-to-day maintenance of your air conditioner. However, your air conditioner may result in higher repair bills. Maintenance for a swamp cooler is significantly more involved. It requires more frequent replacement of the absorbent pad that maintains moisture in front of the blower as well as more routine cleanings to avoid the growth of mildew. If you are unable to devote a few hours each weekend to the maintenance of your cooling unit, a swamp cooler is not an appropriate choice for your house.
Environmental Impact: Even while modern air conditioners utilize refrigerants that are far safer than those used in older models, the chemicals they use to chill your house can still be hazardous to your health. These refrigerants have a greater potential to escape the system through stress fractures as the system ages. A minute quantity of leakage from a single unit won’t cause any problems, but if all of the units started leaking at the same time, you would notice it. Evaporative swamp coolers have considerably less impact on the environment than other types of air conditioners because they simply require water and power to function properly. When compared to air conditioners, evaporative coolers produce fewer carbon dioxide emissions and generate less noise pollution during normal operation. As a result, these coolers may be a better option for homes that are concerned about their impact on the environment.
When it comes time to upgrade your home’s climate control system, making a selection might feel like an insurmountable task. It will be much simpler to choose between an evaporative cooler and an air conditioner if you keep in mind the things that are most important to you, such as the efficiency of your unit, its capacity to remove pollutants and allergens from the air, and your environmental footprint.
