Swamp Coolers vs Air Conditioners: Pros & Cons
The average high temperature throughout the summer months in the state of New Jersey is able to reach as high as 87 degrees Fahrenheit. This hot weather is accompanied by humid and heavy air that may make it hard to run or work outside. After spending a long day in the hot air, nothing beats walking into the cold air of your home. However, as your cooling system becomes older, it may begin to produce noticeable issues. If you’re debating about upgrading your system, you may be researching the differences between swamp coolers vs air conditioners. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve outlined the benefits and drawbacks to each type of system.
Table of Contents
Evaporative Coolers vs Air Conditioners
Operational Efficiency
If you’re comparing the operational efficiencies between swamp coolers vs air conditioners, a standard swamp cooler is engineered to utilize around 20 to 30 percent less electricity when compared to a central air conditioner of the same capacity. While this type of system may not require refrigerant, it relies on a large supply of water to process dry air from outside the home. If you currently have a traditional air conditioner and use it all day, we suggest considering the impact a swamp cooler may have on your water bill.
Climate
While a swamp cooler is designed for areas of the country with warm and dry air, a central air conditioning system is able to provide comfort in wet or dry climates. Since the climate in New Jersey is relatively humid, using a swamp cooler to add moisture to the air may cause issues such as mold and mildew in your home. If you’re researching the differences between evaporative coolers vs air conditioners for your home in New Jersey, our team of technicians and plumbers recommend investing in a central air conditioning system. The moist air provided by a swamp cooler will not feel refreshing after spending hours in the hot and humid air.
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Environmental Concerns
While a central air conditioner emits a small amount of CO2 while it is activated, a swamp cooler is designed to release less greenhouse gases. A standard air conditioner is equipped with a type of refrigerant to help change the temperature of incoming air to the home.
As the refrigerant in your system transforms from a liquid to a gas, a small amount of pollutants is released into the outdoor air. When comparing swamp coolers vs air conditioners, both types of systems are engineered to abide by strict environmental regulations. However, we recommend choosing a central air conditioner to receive the most relief from the balmy and heavy air in New Jersey.
Maintenance Requirements
When comparing the different maintenance requirements of swamp coolers vs air conditioners, a standard air conditioner only requires basic maintenance tasks such as replacing the air filter every 1 to 3 months, spraying the fan blades or compressor fins with a hose once a year, removing dirt or leaves from the system.
On the other hand, a homeowner is required to perform timely maintenance on an evaporative cooler such as swapping the internal moisture pads that transfer water to the incoming air along with continuous cleanings to prevent mold or mildew from forming. To save time on maintenance projects, our certified HVAC contractors and electricians recommend purchasing a traditional air conditioner for your house.
Quality of a Homes Air
While comparing the differences between swamp coolers vs air conditioners, you may notice that an evaporative cooler requires your windows to be open to operate properly. On the other hand, a central air conditioner is engineered to operate with closed windows. As a result, the average home with an air conditioner will have higher quality indoor air when compared to a house with a swamp cooler. In addition, the incoming air in your house from a central air conditioner is processed by a filter to eliminate materials such as dirt and dust.
There are also other types of filters available for sale on the market that are designed to remove smoke particles and pollen from the air to help reduce the symptoms of allergies. If you’re weighing the differences between evaporative coolers vs air conditioners, you may want to consider the severity of your allergies prior to making a decision. Since individuals with allergies may not be able to leave their windows or doors open all day, they may choose to order a traditional air conditioning system for their home.
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What is a Swamp Cooler?
Swamp coolers are a popular alternative to central air conditioning systems in areas of the country with hot weather and low humidity conditions. This type of system utilizes a method referred to as evaporative cooling to improve the comfort of your home throughout the summer season. Swamp coolers are engineered to provide relief from scorching dry air by adding moisture to the air.
A swamp cooler utilizes a component called a wet evaporative pad to add moisture to dry air from the outdoors. By increasing the humidity levels in the air, a swamp cooler is able to make your house colder and more pleasant. Once the air has been processed, an electric motor will push the cold air throughout the various rooms and spaces of your home.
A standard swamp cooler is engineered with a water supply valve that allows water to fill the bottom of the unit. Once the swamp cooler is filled with enough water, a floating mechanism will close the water valve to prevent overflow issues. Next, the water that is sitting at the bottom of the swamp cooler will be pushed through miniature water pipes to the wet pads that are located on the sides of the system.
Once the evaporative pads are filled with water, a motorized fan is activated that is designed to attract hot air from the outdoors. As the warm, dry air is pulled through the evaporative pads, the condensation makes the air feel colder. After the wet evaporative pads have added additional humidity to the air, the motorized fan forces the cold air into your air ducts to ensure it is able to be distributed to each room of your home.
How a Central Air Conditioner Works
A central air conditioner uses various types of refrigerants or coolants to push the heat from indoor air to the outdoors. A standard air conditioning system is equipped with a condenser, evaporator, and compressor. While the other components are located in the outdoor system, an evaporator is located inside your house.
To provide your house with cold and refreshing air, the refrigerant is pushed to the compressor in a gaseous state. Once it arrives, the compressor will push the molecules of the coolant closely together. This will cause the temperature of the refrigerant to increase. Next, the pressurized warm gass will be moved to the condenser of the central air conditioning system.
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The condenser is equipped with fins that will process and eliminate excess heat from the gaseous refrigerant. As the coolant is pushed through the condenser, it is transformed into a liquid state that features a lower temperature. Next, the refrigerant is sent to the evaporator where its pressure is decreased. Due to the pressure change, the liquid coolant is transformed into a gas.
While the refrigerant is being changed to a gaseous state, heat is removed from air surrounding the evaporator and a fan that is integrated with the evaporator is activated to push the cold air across the fins and household. After the evaporator has processed the refrigerant, it arrives at the compressor again as a low-pressure cold gas. This process will continue to repeat itself until your home reaches the temperature programmed into your thermostat.
Air Conditioner Services Near You in New Jersey
Don’t settle for anything less than a comfortable home. If you notice issues with your air conditioner such as excess moisture by the outdoor unit, noises, or warm air, give us a call by phone at (732) 201-3305 or schedule an appointment on our website. From air conditioning repair, tune-up, to installation, we are here to quickly diagnose and resolve your issue.
