If you need a new air conditioner this summer but don't want to use an energy-intensive refrigeration unit, consider using evaporative cooling to lower temperatures around the house. This tried-and-true cooling method can keep your home comfortable and save on energy. Here is some essential information to know about evaporative coolers. 

What Are Evaporative Coolers?

Evaporative coolers, commonly known as swamp coolers, are low-energy air conditioners that draw in outside air, cool it with humidity, and push it through your home, expelling hot air in the process. These units typically consist of a fan to pull in air, a series of pads that are kept damp, and a water reservoir. Most AC units cool the air that's already inside your home, requiring you to keep windows and doors closed to not let the cool air escape. Evaporative coolers utilize air flow to help keep temperatures down, so you usually want to strategically crack a few windows to let hot air out. Swamp coolers work best in hot, dry climates, where the cooling effects of moisture in the air are greatest.

How Does Evaporative Cooling Work?

If you've ever gotten out of a body of water and felt chilly at the slightest hint of a breeze, you've experienced a simple version of evaporative cooling. When water changes from a liquid to a vapor, it absorbs large amounts of energy, usually in the form of heat. Water evaporating off of your skin cools you down, and water evaporating off the pads in a swamp cooler takes heat from the air passing through, cooling it as it enters your house. This process can cool the air up to 20 degrees, depending on the climate. 

What Are the Advantages of Evaporative Cooling?

The evaporative cooling process is much simpler and much easier to achieve than refrigeration cooling, making it energy-efficient and cost-effective. An evaporative cooler typically uses one-quarter of the energy that a traditional AC does, and the units and installations are often half as expensive. These machines don't use any coolants or other chemical refrigerants, just water, and so they aren't a pollution risk. 

If you need a break from the summer heat and wonder if a swamp cooler is right for you, reach out to Frontier Heating & Cooling. Based in Nogales, AZ, since 1978, these HVAC experts offer a wide range of heating and cooling services, from installations to repair and maintenance services. Visit them online to learn more about their air conditioning options, and call (520) 281-1195 to schedule a consultation today.