What Is an Evaporative Cooler...and How Do They Work?

If you live in a warm, dry area (Denver, Phoenix, Vegas and the like), you've probably heard other locals sing the praises of evaporative coolers. People love to talk about how swamp coolers can save money and create a more comfortable environment.

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But what is evaporative cooling, exactly, and how do you know if it's the right fit for your home?

What Is Evaporative Cooling?

Evaporative cooling is a process that uses evaporation to pull heat from the air and reduce the temperature in your home. An evaporative cooler, which is also known as a swamp cooler, is an energy-efficient alternative to a traditional air conditioner.

How Does Evaporative Cooling Work?

Here's how an evaporative cooler works to cool your home:

• Air intake. The fan in the cooler pulls hot, dry air into the evaporative cooler.

• Water saturation. A small pump in the cooler brings water from the holding tank and applies it to a porous pad made from cellulose, synthetic fibers, plastic, or wood fibers.

• Evaporation. As the air moves across the porous surface of the wet pad, the moisture absorbs some of the heat. This causes the water to evaporate and cools the air.

• Cooling. The swamp cooler blows the cooled air out into the room, reducing the temperature.

If you don't want to release water vapor into your home, you can also opt for an indirect evaporative air cooler. These models use heat exchangers to cool the air without adding moisture.

Like traditional air conditioners, swamp coolers come in a variety of sizes to suit different spaces. You can buy portable swamp coolers, window units, and whole-house coolers. Each one uses electricity to run the blower, water pump, and control panel.

In What Climate Does an Evaporative Air Cooler Work the Best?

Evaporative cooling works best in a hot, dry climate; it's a good choice for many states in the western United States. You might also be able to use these units effectively in arid climates with moderate humidity, including the western half of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas. Because the system uses evaporation to cool the air, it doesn't work well in humid areas such as Florida or Louisiana.

Benefits of Evaporative Cooling

Considering different ways to cool your home? Here are some of the advantages of using an evaporative cooler:

• Energy efficiency. Swamp coolers use up to 75% less energy than a traditional air conditioner.

• Lower electricity bills. Because they're more efficient, evaporative air conditioners can help you save money on your electricity bills.

• Improved air quality. Evaporative coolers constantly draw in fresh air from outside, which helps improve air circulation and prevent a buildup of allergens, dust, and other particles.

• Increased humidity levels. By releasing evaporated water vapor into the air, swamp coolers help create a more comfortable environment in dry climates. This can help prevent interior air from drying out your skin and sinuses.

Drawbacks of Evaporative Cooling

Before you choose a swamp cooler, it's important to be aware of the potential drawbacks:

• High water usage. Residential swamp coolers use up to 3 gallons of water per hour, which can increase your costs. This may also be a concern if you live in an area that experiences frequent droughts.

• Limited cooling power. Most evaporative coolers can reduce your interior temperature by a maximum of 30 degrees, which may not be enough in extremely hot climates.

• Airflow requirements. When you're using a swamp cooler, you may need to keep a window or door open to provide fresh air. While there are workarounds for security and pest control, they require extra effort.

• More maintenance and cleaning. Evaporative cooling systems need more maintenance than traditional AC units. You'll need to replace pads, clean the water tank, and tune up the motor.

• Climate restrictions. Swamp cooling can only be used effectively in about half of the United States. If you live on the eastern side of the country, you're better off with a traditional air conditioner.

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Is a Swamp Cooler Right for Your Home?

For many homeowners, climate is the main deciding factor in the swamp cooler vs. air conditioner debate. Evaporative cooling might be an option for you if you live in a dry, arid place.

Does your area have high residential energy rates? A swamp cooler can significantly reduce your electricity costs compared to a traditional AC unit.

However, make sure to consider water rates and rules. In areas with expensive water or mandated water restrictions, it might not be possible to run an evaporative cooler.

Finally, think about space and aesthetics. While smaller portable evaporative coolers look similar to portable air conditioners, a whole-house model is much larger. If you don't have the room to install it outside of your home, or if you don't like the way it looks, this type of cooler might not be the right choice.

Helping Your Cooling System Last

Once you understand what evaporative cooling is and how it works, it's usually a relatively straightforward choice. No matter what type of cooling you choose, make sure to maintain it carefully to extend the lifetime of the system.