If you live in a really hot, but dry environment, your HVAC contractor may recommend a device called a "swamp cooler" for your home. At first, this may sound like an odd suggestion. You're not Shrek, and you don't have a swamp that needs to be cooled! Perhaps this situation will be easier to grasp when you learn that a swamp cooler is also called an evaporative cooler. It's just an alternative type of air conditioning appliance that HVAC contractors recommend in certain situations. Here's a closer look at swamp coolers, their advantages, and how they are used.

How Swamp Coolers Work

Swamp coolers work quite differently from the more common type of air conditioners. These appliances have a big, wet, cold pad inside of them. Air enters the swamp cooler, and it passes over this big, wet pad. As the air blows through the cooler unit, it comes down in temperature, and it also becomes moister. The air that gets blown back into the home is both cool and moist.

When Do Swamp Coolers Work Well?

Swamp coolers are used in areas where the air is naturally really dry. In areas like this, a regular air conditioner would not work well. That's because most air conditioners work, in part, by removing moisture from the air. Since there is no moisture in the air to remove, a typical air conditioner won't cool very effectively in a dry climate. Swamp coolers, on the other hand, work by introducing moisture to the air — which is far more feasible when your air is dry. You'll see a lot of swamp coolers used in the western and southern United States, which are known for their hot, dry climates.

What Are the Advantages of Swamp Coolers?

Swamp coolers are often more energy-efficient than other air conditioners, particularly in dry climates. Their other main advantage is that they can eliminate the need for a humidifier. In other words, you may be able to buy just a swamp cooler instead of buying both a swamp cooler and a humidifier. Swamp coolers are also fairly easy to install, and there are many installers to choose from in most areas.

Hopefully, this article has taught you a little more about swamp coolers and allowed you to better understand why one is being recommended for your home. Talk to an HVAC replacement contractor if you have any more questions about these appliances.