There is nothing worse than having an issue with your home’s cooling system in the middle of the summer. It always starts in the middle of the night or when you’re not home.
If your house is old, it might be time to install a new Air Conditioning system. If you’re building it now, you should also consider how you’ll heat and cool your home.
Also, did you know there are two ways to do that? You can use a swamp cooler or an air conditioner.
This will be an extremely important decision to get right. Otherwise, you can be left vastly uncomfortable and even expose yourself to some serious health issues down the road.
But what’s the difference between the two? And how do you know which one is right for your home?
Many factors can determine which of these two systems is best for your home.
This comparison guide will walk you through the differences between the two systems so that you can make your choice with confidence.
Table of Contents
Swamp Cooler Vs. Air Conditioner
So what’s the difference between a swamp cooler and an air conditioner?
For starters, an air conditioner unit only blows temperature-controlled air into your home.
A swamp cooler, or an evaporative cooler, blows wet air into your home. This means a swamp cooler adds humidity to your home to cool it.
They both work using a large fan to blow air into the house.
However, an air conditioner also uses chemical chambers and large motors to maintain the air at the appropriate temperature.
An evaporative cooler doesn’t have these parts. It relies on the fan blowing dry, hot air over a wet cooling pad. This can cause water in the pad to evaporate and spray into your home, helping cool it.
Both have significant benefits and drawbacks. It would be best if you considered all of these factors before deciding which one to choose.
Cost
The first major difference you should notice between a swamp cooler and an air conditioner is the price. This will, of course, vary by brand and whether you’re getting a window unit or a whole-home system. Where you live can also affect the total price of one of these units.
Both air conditioners and swamp coolers are going to cost a few thousand dollars if you want a whole new unit installed at your house.
However, it will always be cheaper to get a swamp cooler. In some cases, it will be about $1,000 cheaper.
These will also be much cheaper to operate than an air conditioner. It’s also much cheaper to have it repaired if it breaks.
On average, it costs about $3,900 to install a swamp cooler in a fifteen-hundred-square-foot house. An air conditioning unit will cost an average of $5,000 for a house of the same size in Denver.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that a swamp cooler is the best option for your home.
Humidity
Now think about where you live for a moment. Is it hot or cold? Is it humid or dry?
Believe it or not, this should be something you should seriously be considering before you decide between a swamp cooler and an air conditioner.
A swamp cooler is going to blow wet air through your home. If your area is already humid, this might not help much. But it might feel nice to those who live in drier areas.
In areas with extraordinarily high heat and humidity, an evaporative cooler will not work. The water the fan is supposed to blow into the house will evaporate before it can be effective.
On the other hand, an air conditioner is actually going to dry out the air in your home. This means that people in humid climates may experience relief with an air conditioner.
However, those living in drier climates may be more uncomfortable with the additional dryness.
These problems can be resolved with a humidifier or dehumidifier, but that would require additional effort and maintenance on your part. In most cases, it’s easiest to choose the system that best suits your environment.
Health
Some health concerns can arise if you don’t get the more appropriate system for your environment.
An air conditioner in Denver, CO, can dry out your eyes and skin. This can, first, be extremely uncomfortable. It can also lead to some vision issues later if you are constantly exposed to this extreme dryness.
A swamp cooler can be problematic for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
The humidity these systems generate can reach the lungs and prevent adequate air from entering. This will be a much bigger problem for those who live in already humid areas.
With a swamp cooler, you run the risk of mold getting blown through your home. They will require ongoing maintenance to prevent these issues.
Otherwise, this mold will cause unpleasant odors in your home and health issues.
This is why it’s actually not recommended for those who live in humid areas to choose a swamp cooler over an air conditioner.
Noise
If noise is a concern for you and your family, then this will be a big determining factor in your choice. Light sleepers will need to consider this factor.
In general, swamp coolers are fairly quiet. Air conditioners, however, can be noisy.
In other words, if you enjoy a little white noise when you’re trying to sleep, then an air conditioner might be a good fit for you and your home.
However, if you prefer your home as quiet as possible, a swamp cooler may be a better option.
There are, of course, a few ways to make an air conditioner a little quieter.
These methods may not reduce the noise level to your desired level. Some of these methods are also expensive, so you’d have to consider the extra cost involved in doing that.
Swamp coolers are also not going to be completely silent, either. They’re much quieter, but the fan motor will still make some noise while it’s running.
This is particularly true if you are using window units. In this case, most of the noise an air conditioner window unit would make would escape outside. This means that it shouldn’t bother you as much as a house system would.
However, an evaporative cooler window unit will be much louder. This is because the fan will be blowing inside the room.
Environmental Friendliness
Another consideration is the environmental impact of their cooling system.
An air conditioner requires a specific set of chemicals to work. Once your system has used these chemicals, it releases carbon dioxide into the air.
Carbon dioxide is one of the primary drivers of today’s climate change.
On the other hand, a swamp cooler doesn’t use any of these chemicals. It doesn’t release carbon dioxide into the air. This will make it a more environmentally friendly option.
This means that those who live in a suitable environment for a swamp cooler should seriously consider the impact of the unit on the environment.
However, keep in mind that both systems require electricity to run. If you run your home on renewable energy, such as solar panels, this isn’t a significant concern.
However, most people will receive their energy from burning fossil fuels. This also puts carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the environment.
Installation
Both systems have different installation requirements. This will also depend on the size of the system you are purchasing.
Smaller window units are always easier to install for both swamp coolers and air conditioners. A portable ac unit is also going to be very easy to set up.
What about a system for the entire house?
In this case, an air conditioner will be more complex.
Central air conditioning units are larger and more complex machines than evaporative coolers. This is part of what makes them more expensive.
The history of air conditioning innovations has led to significant advancements in energy efficiency and comfort. Over the decades, various brands have introduced technologies that not only improve cooling performance but also reduce environmental impact.
As consumers become more aware of these developments, choosing the right system becomes crucial to ensuring optimal indoor climates.
Many components must be connected correctly for the system to work. Air conditioners also require an opening in your home for an exhaust pipe. This will also prevent your home from accumulating carbon dioxide.
On the other hand, a swamp cooler is a much less complicated machine.
Aside from the ductwork, there isn’t much difficult work required to install one of these. If your house already has ducts installed, you can reuse them for this system.
Furthermore, this system doesn’t need a window for an exhaust pipe.
Efficiency
Energy efficiency will be vital in determining whether you’re getting the best system for your money. It also determines the cost of operating your home’s cooling system.
Once again, it should be noted that an air conditioner is a much more complex machine than a swamp cooler. It has many more moving parts inside.
This means more energy is required to operate it. The more energy a machine needs to run, the more it costs to power.
On the other hand, a swamp cooler is much simpler. It only needs power to the fan. This indicates that it won’t take nearly as much energy to power.
In short, an evaporative cooler is much more energy-efficient than an AC unit. This can save you money on your monthly electricity bill.
However, an air conditioner is also more precise at temperature control. It can also cool your home to lower temperatures than a swamp cooler can.
An evaporative cooler will also increase your water bill slightly. It relies on a filter that remains consistently damp, which means water must be dripped onto it periodically. An air conditioner does not have this problem.
Maintenance
You should also consider the amount of maintenance you want to do when you’re deciding between a swamp cooler and an air conditioner. There is an enormous difference between the two in this area.
An air conditioner typically requires maintenance once a year at most. Most central air conditioners only really need maintenance every few years. This makes it especially convenient, as you can install one and rarely think about it.
A swamp cooler, on the other hand, might need daily maintenance. If your system is not directly connected to your water supply, ensure the filter remains damp. Even if it’s connected to your water, you still need to ensure the system stays clean.
If the system isn’t kept clean, then it can get moldy easily. Once again, this can lead to serious health issues if not addressed promptly.
Get Your Swamp Cooler or Air Conditioner Today
If you need some relief from the summer heat in your home, then you’re going to want one of these two systems. Whichever you choose, it’s important to have a company that you trust to help you maintain it.
For Denver air conditioner repairs, you should trust the experts at JD’s Plumbing Services. Our technicians are professionally trained and licensed to address your needs. This includes AC installation and repairs as well as Swamp Cooler services.
We’re the best in Denver AC repair. If you need help cooling your home this summer, give us a call and see how we can help today.
