Swamp Cooler vs. Air Conditioner: Which Is Right for Your Climate?

Air conditioners are the most conventional means of cooling down a living space, but they’re not the only one. A swamp cooler, or evaporative cooler, can also make a room feel cooler and more comfortable, but they require specific weather conditions to really be effective.

How Swamp Coolers and Air Conditioners Actually Cool Air Differently

Air conditioners and swamp coolers are quite different in how they operate, even if both ultimately bring down the temperature of a room.

An air conditioner cools down a room by actively removing heat and moisture from the air. Whether it’s a window unit or whole-home central air system, refrigerant travels throughout a closed loop. In a liquid state, cool refrigerant courses through evaporator coils to absorb some of the heat from the air indoors. Now warmer, the refrigerant travels to a compressor where it’s turned into a very hot and highly pressurized gas. Outside, this gaseous refrigerant courses through condenser coils and releases much of its heat to the air. Even if you’re running the AC in an extreme heatwave, the comparatively hotter refrigerant will still release heat and cool down, turning back into a liquid. The refrigerant passes through an expansion valve that lowers its pressure, then returns to the evaporator coils. The cool breeze that you feel from an air conditioner’s vents or central air registers comes from a fan that blows air over the cold evaporator coils.

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Swamp coolers function according to a totally different principle, and there is no refrigerant involved. Instead, swamp coolers use evaporative cooling to bring down the room temperature. A motorized fan pulls hot and dry air into the appliance so that it courses over water-soaked cooling pads. The water in the cooling pads evaporates into the air, cooling it down by around 15°F to 25°F. The fan blows that cooler air into the room, while a pump moves water from a reservoir to the cooling pads to ensure that they stay saturated.

Why Humidity Is the Deciding Factor Between the Two

Air conditioners have a dehumidifying effect whereas swamp coolers actively humidify the air. Whether a swamp cooler makes a living space feel more comfortable is entirely dependent on the weather.

The air can only hold so much moisture. If the relative humidity is below 40% or so, which it commonly is in desert climates, then the evaporative cooling action of the swamp cooler can reduce the temperature of the room substantially. If humidity levels are already at or beyond the comfort zone of 40% to 60% or so, then a swamp cooler will make the space feel damp and clammy.

Unlike a swamp cooler, an air conditioner reduces humidity levels in addition to bringing down the temperature, making it the best choice for locations with muggy weather. In an already dry climate, an air conditioner may not be ideal because it could make the air drier to the point of discomfort.

Where Each System Struggles Outside Its Ideal Climate

As the weather or environmental conditions stray from the ideal operating conditions for a swamp cooler or air conditioner, the appliance could run into problems. Here’s what swamp coolers tend to struggle with:

• High humidity. In the humid climates typical of the Northeast, South, and Midwest, swamp coolers are unlikely to bring down the temperature of a room by anything more than a few degrees. The additional swamp cooler humidity will instead make the room feel damp and clammy.
• Temporary spikes in humidity. Some climates are dry for much of the year but experience seasonal or temporary spikes in humidity when storms are more prevalent. There’s little use in running a swamp cooler during this sort of weather.
• Extreme heat. Depending on the relative humidity, swamp coolers reduce indoor temperatures by approximately 15°F to 25°F. If there’s an extreme heat wave with temperatures well over 100°F, your home may feel hot even with a swamp cooler.
• Hard water. Swamp coolers have a reservoir that keeps the cooling pads saturated with water. If the water feeding the reservoir is especially hard, minerals can accumulate within the appliance and impair its function.
• Mold and bacteria. The standing water in the cooler’s reservoir can be a prime breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. If you’re running the swamp cooler in a place with a high bacteria or spore count, you’ll need to clean the machine frequently to avoid growths that contribute to off odors and respiratory irritation.

Air conditioners have their points of failure as well. These include:

• Low humidity. While an AC will function in dry weather, it may make the air excessively dry indoors. This can lead to dry skin, respiratory problems, cracked wood, and static electricity. Heavy air conditioner use can also introduce HVAC problems in desert climates, as the exceptionally low humidity can lead to heavy dust accumulation that clogs filters and impedes airflow.
• Inefficiency. Air conditioners are power-hungry appliances. Much more so than swamp coolers. Especially in very hot weather, ACs tend to have lower efficiency and contribute to high energy bills.
• High repair costs. Annual maintenance and upkeep for an air conditioner and swamp cooler cost about the same, but air conditioners may cost much more to repair when a malfunction arises, especially if there’s a damaged compressor or refrigerant leak.

Signs Your Region Calls for One Over the Other

If you’re unsure of whether your climate justifies a swamp cooler or air conditioner, you can consider a few helpful guidelines. A swamp cooler is a good invest if:

• You live in an area with hot and dry summers.
• You seldom experience humid, muggy weather.
• You’re sensitive to dry air and want to up your indoor humidity levels.
• You prioritize fresh air indoors.
• You want to cool your home with minimal energy usage.

An air conditioner is the better fit for your home if:

• You experience hot and humid summers.
• Your struggle with mold and mildew in your home.
• You regularly experience extreme heat beyond 90°F.
• You need to keep windows sealed due to allergens, poor air quality, noise, or personal preference.

Broadly speaking, you should probably opt for an air conditioner if you live in the Northeast, South, Midwest, or Northwest. A swamp cooler is a viable alternative in the Southwest and dry mountain climates.

Swamp Cooler vs. Air Conditioner: An Overall Comparison

Use this table for an at-a-glance comparison of swamp coolers and air conditioners.

Air conditioners are the most conventional means of cooling down a living space, but they’re not the only one. A swamp cooler, or evaporative cooler, can also make a room feel cooler and more comfortable, but they require specific weather conditions to really be effective.

Home Warranties for Home Cooling Systems

Whether you opt for a swamp cooler, air conditioner, or both, you might consider protecting your equipment with home warranty coverage. This would ensure that your cooling system can be quickly repaired in the event of a breakdown, and you would be protected from paying the full repair cost out of pocket. With Liberty Home Guard’s award-winning coverage, you can bundle swamp cooler or AC protection with coverage for your broader HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Call (855)-953-9695.