Swamp Cooler 101: What is a Swamp Cooler and How Does it Work?

What is a Swamp Cooler? How Does It Cool Air?

A swamp cooler is a type of air conditioner that cools air using water. When air comes into contact with water, it reacts with the water, and the air temperature drops. This is why you feel cool right after getting out of the water after a swim and after taking a shower. The air around you reacts with the water and drops in temperature, producing the cooling sensation.

Perspiration, the body's natural way of cooling us down also works in the same fashion as a swamp cooler.

How Does A Swamp Cooler Operate?

In a swamp cooler, warm air is circulated into the unit and comes into contact with moist, sponge-like pads found inside the swamp cooler. As the warmer air comes into contact with water it is cooled down. The cooled and moistened air is then circulated throughout a home or room.

What are the Advantages or Benefits of a Swamp Cooler?

A swamp cooler constantly brings fresh air from the outside and into a home. It also adds moisture to the air, which is beneficial in dry climates. The result is a constant supply of fresh air and an increase in home comfort. Standard air conditioners on the other hand recirculate the same air over and over throughout the home. No fresh air is brought into the home, like in the swamp cooler. They also dry the air, which can be good if you are living in a humid climate, but not desirable if you live in a dry climate.

Swamp cooler use less electricity than standard air conditioning units. They are also more environmentally friendly. Forced air conditioning systems use refrigerant gases
to cool to the air. Refrigerant gases are toxic and pose a hazard to people, animals and the environment. In a swamp cooler only water is used to cool the air. There are no toxic refrigerant gases used in a swamp cooler.

What are the Drawbacks of Swamp Coolers?

Swamp coolers can only be used in hot, dry climates such as in the Southwestern United States. This is because they need a constant supply of hot, dry air to evaporate the water in the pads to be able to cool the air temperature. They are not effective in humid or cold climates. Swamp coolers also use a significant amount of water, and this might not be readily available or feasible in very dry climates where water is scarce.

Call AAA Modern Air at 954-241-2523 today to find out more about swamp coolers for your Ft. Lauderdale, FL home.