As summer approaches you may be already thinking about ways to keep your home cool efficiently. If you have an older air conditioner and are looking to replace it, one option that you may want to consider is switching to a swamp cooler.
Swamp coolers work to cool the air in your home just like an air conditioner. However, instead of refrigeration, swamp coolers use what is called evaporative cooling. Here is how it works: Swamp coolers use a pump that transfers water from a reservoir to a cooling pad or filter. The warm air is then passed over the pad using a fan or blower. The air is then moisturized and cooled by using simple evaporation.
The way that swamp coolers operate it is usually best to install them on the roof of the home rather on the ground like an air conditioner unit. As a result, swamp coolers are good for two story homes because the cool air is being pushed from the top down rather than the top up. The upstairs bedrooms will often feel cooler with a swamp cooler rather than an air conditioner.
In Colorado, swamp coolers can be really great for a home or office building because they make the air more comfortable by adding a little bit of moisture to what is otherwise very dry air.
One benefit to switching over to a swamp cooler is that swamp coolers use a lot less energy than a typical air conditioner and therefore a homeowner can see savings in their energy bill after making a switch. (Please make note that the cost to install a swamp cooler can sometimes be more expensive than an air conditioner but the energy savings can make up the difference.)
In terms of maintenance for swamp coolers, the filters need to be changed annually and the unit itself needs to be shut down and turned on with the changing seasons. (The water will need to be drained in the fall and refilled in the spring.) Since the unit would most likely be on the roof we recommend hiring a professional to perform maintenance.
If you have additional questions about swamp coolers, how to maintain them or are interested in perhaps switching to a swamp cooler, please call us today at 720-876-7166 or email us at [email protected]. Don’t forget that we always offer free estimates.
