Pros and Cons of a Swamp Cooler

Are you looking for effective ways to keep your home cool? A swamp cooler can provide great cooling relief for homeowners. They cost a fraction of the cost of a traditional central air system. They also do not use as much energy as a central air system. There are some pros and cons of a swamp cooler that you do need to be aware of. Here are a few of the most important.

 

Pros of Swamp Coolers

• They do not consume as much energy as other coolers.
• They will reduce the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees. This means they can do a great job when the heat outside is around 80-93 degrees. Once it gets hotter than this, the cooler is subject to the sun’s rays and will have a harder time cooling your home.
• A swamp cooler is fairly easy to maintain. You will need to change the pads on it at least once a year and properly clean it to prevent dirt and dust from clogging the lines.

Cons of Swamp Coolers

• They have a hard time cooling your home when it gets above 95 degrees.
• They should not be used when the climate is humid as they use humidity to cool a home.
• They do require more maintenance from a traditional central air conditioner.
• They are prone to leaks due to float problems. If the unit is on your roof, the water that leaks from the air conditioner can stain your roof.
• The leaking from the air conditioner can age a roof, causing you to replace shingles often.
• They do use a lot of water, which can be difficult if you live in an area under water restrictions.
• You will need to climb on the roof to work on the cooler, which can be a safety risk.
• Coolers are typically located on the roof, causing a large hole in the roof if you eventually replace the evaporative cooler.

Proper maintenance of your evaporative cooler is essential to keep it running correctly. Many people forget to winterize their units, which can be dangerous to your home. The copper tubing can freeze your water line if it is not disconnected You also need to make sure the unit is covered in the winter or it can destroy the pan. Evaporative cooler pans can start to rust without proper maintenance.

If you do not change the pads, the air conditioner will not run at a proper efficiency. The water needs to saturate the pads to pump the air into your home. Dirty pads will not allow as much air through, and they will not be able to soak up the water. Cleaning your unit is essential to keep it running correctly. Contact Genuine Comfort today to discuss your heating and cooling solutions!