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Swamp Coolers vs. Central Air Conditioning: Which Is Better?

A woman changing the temperature on her thermostat

Swam coolers vs. centralized air conditioning is the age-old debate that has been circulating for decades. Both of these units are used prominently in the United States and have staunch supporters on their side.

Swamp Coolers vs. Centralized Air Conditioning

To help you decide which is the best unit for your home, we’re going to start with the basics.

What is a Swamp Cooler?

Swamp coolers are also known as evaporative coolers. As water evaporates it cools the surrounding air. That’s why when you lick your finger and hold it up to wind it feels colder.

Swamp coolers use this principle to lower the temperature of the air in your home. Only instead of the wind, they use fans to push the air past water and blow the resulting cool air throughout your house. This airflow means you can leave your windows open with swamp coolers without worrying about wasted energy.

Swamp coolers generally are cheaper to install and use less electricity than air conditioning. They also perform the same job as humidifiers. These are the primary reasons so many people love them. However, there are some disadvantages of this system that make it unappealing to others.

First, they don’t work well in humid areas. Luckily Utah doesn’t have hot humid summers like the Eastern states do. This makes swamp coolers much more effective here than in other areas.

Second, they tend to require more maintenance. Because they work with a steady supply of water, mineral and salt deposits build upon them. In order to effectively utilize them for their entire lifespan, you’ll need to schedule routine maintenance checks.

They can also become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, so you’ll need to clean them regularly as well.

Because swamp coolers circulate moist air in the house, you will need to leave your windows open slightly to ventilate the home and reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth. Leaving windows open all summer long can create a potential security risk to your home.

What is Centralized Air Conditioning?

Centralized air conditioning is another popular option for cooling your home. These systems work by running air past coils filled with refrigerants. The refrigerants cool the air and then the air is sent throughout your home.

Centralized air conditioning gives you more temperature control over swamp coolers. It can also reach lower temperatures than swamp coolers. The greater control and simplicity makes it a popular option for many people.

The disadvantages include higher electrical expenses and more noise.

Swamp Coolers vs. Centralized Air Conditioning

While the debate of swamp coolers vs. centralized air conditioning will continue for years to come, there is an obvious winner. No other system cools down your house faster and better than an air conditioner.

Utah’s summers are hot and more humid. While this is great for AC units, it’s problematic for swamp coolers. Swamp coolers struggle to cool the air when there is a lot of moisture. That means if you have this system you’re not getting the relief you deserve.

If you want to upgrade your cooling system or learn more about centralized air conditioningcontact us! We’ll give you all the details you need to make the most informed decision.

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