The Ultimate Guide to Swamp Coolers: How They Work and Why They’re Eco-Friendly

The Ultimate Guide to Swamp Coolers: How They Work and Why They’re Eco-Friendly

A person in a green shirt adjusting a wall thermostat in El Paso.

Energy costs and carbon emissions are higher today than they have ever been. As such, people are constantly looking for new ways to use less energy and spare the environment. However, that can be difficult to do in a place like El Paso, where the summers are long, hot, and dry, which means you use your air conditioner often. 

If you want the best of both worlds, where you stay cool when it’s hot out but without using a ton of energy, a swamp cooler might be the answer. If you want to know more about swamp coolers in El Paso, Omega Electrical and Mechanical Engineering can help. Contact us online or call (915) 855-6868 to learn more.

What Are Swamp Coolers and How Do They Work? 

Better known as evaporative coolers, swamp coolers in El Paso are simple yet effective cooling appliances. Rather than using refrigerant, coils, and a fan to cool air down and circulate it through a home, a swamp cooler uses water, a fan, and a cool pad. They rely on the process of how water cools down air when it evaporates. 

The easiest way to explain how a swamp cooler works is to compare it to how you feel after exercising or getting out of the pool. When you do these things, you’re covered in sweat or pool water, which are both forms of moisture. Then, when you feel a cool breeze wash over you, you feel instantly cooler. Such is the magic of the swamp cooler. 

Different Parts of a Swamp Cooler

Rather than include a million little parts and components, an El Paso swamp cooler requires five essential parts in order to operate: 

  • Water supply valve – To let water flow into the swamp cooler. 
  • A float – To tell the water valve when to close. 
  • Water pump – To move water throughout the inside of the swamp cooler. 
  • Evaporator pads – To cool down water as it flows over them. 
  • Fan – To blow the now-cool air throughout your home. 

Additionally, because evaporator coolers operate on electricity, they will also need the proper wiring to be connected to an electric supply. 

A Step-by-Step Look at How Evaporator Coolers Work

Now that you know the basic parts and premise, let’s look at how evaporator coolers work. 

  1. The water supply valve will automatically open so that water can enter the swamp cooler. 
  2. As the cooler fills, the float rises to the top and signals the valve to close when it’s full. 
  3. The pump inside the cooler forces water over the evaporator pads. 
  4. As this happens, the water cools the pads. 
  5. The swamp cooler fan turns on and draws warm, outside air over the pads. 
  6. The air is then forced out of the cooler and circulates through your home. 

This simple process can cool the air by as much as 40 degrees while adding moisture to it! However, it’s essential that you live in a dry area for a swamp cooler to work properly. Contact us to find out if a swamp cooler or AC is right for you. 

Why Are Swamp Coolers Eco-Friendly? 

In addition to being highly effective, swamp coolers are also more eco-friendly than traditional air conditioners. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant, which is extremely damaging to the environment, whereas evaporator coolers use water, which doesn’t harm the environment in any way. Swamp coolers also use a quarter of the electricity of an air conditioner, further increasing their eco-friendliness. 

Swamp Cooler Repair and Service in El Paso

If you have a swamp cooler and need it repaired for the coming summer, Omega Electrical and Mechanical Engineering is here to help. We can also replace your swamp cooler with a new one or upgrade you to a high-efficiency air conditioner. Call (915) 855-6868 today.