Your HVAC system provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in order to maintain the comfort and air quality of your home. Additional systems like evaporative coolers can help your existing HVAC system by providing extra cooling effects in certain areas. These systems can work together effectively to improve the air quality of your living space.
How an Evaporative Cooler Works
Evaporative coolers or swamp coolers pull in outdoor warm air over pads saturated with water. When the water evaporates, it absorbs heat and reduces the temperature of the surrounding air by 15° to 40°F. The cooled air is then evenly distributed throughout your home.
Pros of Evaporative Coolers
When you have a limited space and budget, you should consider evaporative coolers because they are affordable and easy to install. They can prove dependable, especially in a hot and dry region. This is because the air in arid areas is dry enough to absorb the moisture and ensure the smooth running of evaporative coolers. Here are some of the benefits they provide.
1. Fresh Air
Evaporative coolers pull in fresh air from the outside, which is unlike traditional AC systems that cool indoor air only. When air circulates into the swamp cooler, it is cooling 100% fresh air. This ensures your air is free from contaminants like dust or pollen. Generally, evaporative coolers can greatly improve your home’s air quality.
2. Uses Less Energy
Most AC systems rely on compressors or refrigerants. This requires a lot of electricity to function efficiently. However, evaporative coolers use fans and a water pump to cool the air. They generally require less electricity to operate, which means you end up using less energy to run them. This helps you save a lot on energy bills compared to conventional air conditioning systems.
3. Humidity
In addition to cooling the air, evaporative coolers also increase the humidity level of your home. This is because they work by converting water to vapor and as a result, the air becomes saturated with the evaporated water. Dry air can irritate your eyes or respiratory organs. For example, living in areas with low humidity increases the risk of respiratory issues, such as asthma and nosebleeds.
4. Ease of Maintenance
Evaporative coolers have fewer parts than a traditional AC system, making them easier to maintain. Some come with removable filters that can be easily cleaned. Since they use water for cooling, maintaining the required water level is important to ensure efficiency. It is also advisable to work with a professional company like Goettl's High Desert Mechanical for regular maintenance services.
5. Outdoor Usage
Evaporative coolers can be used in outdoor spaces such as patios, decks and workshops. Many coolers designed for outdoor use come with wheels or handles. This allows you to choose the best place to put the system and move it as needed.
Cons of Evaporative Coolers
Evaporative coolers offer benefits that make them a worthy investment. However, there are several drawbacks to this system.
1. Best for Dry Areas
Humid regions already have air with a lot of moisture. This means that the evaporative system is unable to absorb much more water vapor to cool your air. Additionally, high humidity can make you feel hotter because sweat doesn’t evaporate as easily. This interferes with the cooling effect that evaporative coolers give. They work best in areas with low humidity.
2. Designed for Smaller Spaces
Evaporative coolers rely on the movement of air to distribute the cooled air. Having a large living space can be challenging for the cooler to distribute the cool air evenly. This is because many evaporative coolers have a limit to their cooling capacity. This can cause your home to have spots with higher humidity than others. Additionally, having a large space would cause the evaporative cooler to use more energy to maintain the required level of comfort. Evaporative coolers are best used in small or medium-sized spaces. You would need multiple systems working together to effectively cool a large space.
3. Humidity Levels
Since evaporative coolers increase the humidity of indoor spaces, they can provide the right conditions for the growth of mold and mildew. These contaminants can negatively affect your health and lead to respiratory issues like asthma. Excessive humidity levels can also cause discomfort.
4. Increases Water Consumption
Evaporative coolers require a constant water supply to operate efficiently. This can increase your water bills, particularly in areas where water is scarce or expensive. Additionally, the continuous flow of water can lead to water wastage especially if there is a leak in the system.
5. Requires Regular Maintenance
Just like any other HVAC system, evaporative coolers require regular maintenance to function in optimal conditions. This can include cleaning the fans, constantly adjusting the water levels and repairing or replacing the filters. Neglecting to maintain your coolers can cause reduced performance, unpleasant odors and poor air quality. The accumulation of minerals from the water can also reduce the efficiency of the system. While most of the work may seem doable, hiring a professional ensures the maintenance is done thoroughly.
Is an Evaporative Cooler Right for You?
When it comes to maintaining your home’s comfort, selecting the right evaporative cooler is important. You should consider certain factors that will ensure the efficiency of the system. For instance, the climate and humidity of where you live affect the performance of the system. The size of your space is also an important consideration. Big spaces would result in low humidity levels while spaces that are too small may have too much humidity.
You should also ensure that the system is installed where there is adequate airflow and water supply. This can be in a central location, such as near windows. A central location will ensure even distribution of the cool air. In outdoor spaces, have them installed in shaded areas away from direct sunlight so they do not interfere with cooling efficiency. Consider a maintenance plan that will help keep your system in good working condition.
Get in Touch With the Professionals
When you consider all the factors and decide it is time to install or replace your existing evaporative cooler, do not hesitate to reach out to us at Goettl's High Desert Mechanical. We have been in the heating, cooling and plumbing industry since 1987. Our team consists of NATE-certified professionals who can deliver top-notch heating and cooling services. In addition to installation and repairs, we also offer indoor air quality and plumbing services.
We treat our customers respectfully, and this has earned us support from local communities. We go above and beyond to ensure we fulfill all your needs with unquestionable expertise. Our unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction has led us to affiliate with Air Conditioning Contractors of America. Additionally, we are an Energy Star-certified company and have received an A+ rating from BBB. Contact us today at Goettl's High Desert Mechanical for reliable HVAC and plumbing services in Cape Verde, AZ.
