When it comes to cooling your home during those warm summer months there are two different options available to you. The most common cooling unit in many homes in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho area is an evaporative cooler otherwise known as a "swamp cooler." However, over the years air conditioners or refrigerated air have gained popularity.
How does an Evaporative/Swamp Cooler Work?
An evaporative cooler works best in dry climates like ours because they use water to cool the air circulated in your home. Water is used to wet absorbent pads around the sides of the cooler. A fan draws outside air through the pads and the air is cooled as the water in the pads evaporates. Then the air is forced through the duct system to circulate through the house. Typically a swamp cooler can lower the temperature in your home by about 10 to 12 degrees. This can fluctuate depending on the humidity in the air.
Benefits of Evaporative Cooling
- Evaporative coolers use substantially less electricity than refrigerated air.
- Evaporative coolers use simple technology and as a result are much more cost efficient to install and maintain.
- The moist pads in the cooler act as air filters, helping keep dust and pollen out of the house while providing a constant supply of fresh air into the home.
How does Refrigerated Air Conditioning differ from Evaporative Cooling?
While evaporative/swamp coolers use water to cool the air and add humidity to the air, air conditioners or refrigerated air dehumidify the air and cool the air regardless of the humidity outside. Refrigerated air uses refrigerant that constantly evaporates in a closed system, absorbing heat. Then it changes back to liquid and evaporates again in a constant cycle.
Benefits of Refrigerated Air Conditioning
- Refrigerated air conditioning can provide your home with a consistently cool temperature regardless of the humidity outdoors. Refrigerated air conditioning can usually lower the temperature in your home by about 20 degrees.
- Refrigerated air conditioning requires little seasonal maintenance. Unlike swamp coolers which have to be winterized and prepared for use each summer, refrigerated air conditioning can be turned on with a flip of the switch and requires nothing more than changing out the filters each summer.
- Refrigerated air conditioning forces a consistent flow of cooled air that can circulate through your home more efficiently than a swamp cooler. Refrigerated air conditioning also re-circulates through a filter in the home which is helpful in controlling allergens such as dust and pollen.
- There are many factors to consider when determining whether evaporative/swamp cooling or refrigerated air conditioning is right for you. Call us today to schedule an appointment, a technician can help you evaluate your needs to see which is right for you.
We service ALL makes and models
TLC does not provide a listing of brand names available on our website because we service, repair and install all makes and models of evaporative swamp cooling systems and refrigerated air conditioning units.
Call TLC Today!
505-761-9873
Serving Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Placitas, Los Lunas, Belen, East Mountains and surrounding areas.
505-761-9873
