Swamp Coolers VS. Central Air Conditioning

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How to Keep Your Cool When the Mercury is Rising

When the heat is rising to record-breaking levels, it can be really tough to stay cool. This summer, I found that my air conditioner had trouble keeping up with the temperatures. It wasn't that the AC wasn't working, it was just that I couldn't seem to get my house cooled down as much as I wanted. I worried that I would have to replace the whole AC system. Luckily, I have a good friend who works as an HVAC contractor. He took a look at my system and gave good news -- it didn't need to be replaced. Instead, he shared a lot of tips for helping my air conditioner work more efficiently, as well as some ideas to help supplement the AC and keep the house cooler. I'm using those tips to create this blog to share ways for all of us to keep cool on the hottest days.

Swamp Coolers VS. Central Air Conditioning

25 July 2018
 Categories: , Blog


Many old homes are fitted with swamp coolers. They are often thought to be an outdated cooling option. That being said, many people prefer them for a number of reasons. They can be particularly useful in smaller properties, and the cost of a swamp cooler is minimal compared to that of a central HVAC system. This article compares swamp coolers to central HVAC systems.

Central Heating and Air

Central HVAC system consists of two parts, and two main appliances. There is a condenser unit outside of the home, and an air handler or blower inside of the home. This is what forces the cold air created by the condenser into your home. A central AC system also uses ducts that run inside the walls and circulate air evenly throughout the house. It is definitely the best way to cool down a large home because the duct system can be extremely efficient. But, as you might expect, the system can be quite expensive, particularly if the home isn't already equipped with a duct system.

Swamp Coolers

Swamp coolers are usually installed at one point of the house. So, they will either be mounted in the window, or directly in the ceiling. This is the biggest disadvantage of swamp coolers. They can also be loud and use a lot electricity. You will have to run a swamp cooler for a longer amount of time in order to cool down your home. Also, you might need to use electrical fans to circulate the air from room to room. Altogether, this could use more electricity than a central HVAC system. But, on a small property where the swamp cooler can cool down all of the spaces without any extra assistance, it could be a very effective way to cool your home.

Evaporation and Cooling

The biggest difference between swamp coolers and central HVAC systems is the way that they create cold air. A swamp cooler basically uses water to create cold air. You can turn the hot and dry air outside of the home into cold and moist air. Some people like having moist air flow into their home. However, in muggy climates, many people like the fact that a central AC system removes moisture from the air. The air coming out of an HVAC system is going to be much drier than the swamp cooler.

So, which will be best for your home, a swamp cooler or central AC? For help with answering that question, it may be best to get in touch with a local residential cooling contractor.