Swap cooler compared to A/C

**sunnysideup** · 04-29-2006, 01:26 PM

I am wondering if anyone knows what the cost to run a swap cooler is compared to running A/C. I've never had a swamp cooler so I don't know how efficient they are or anything compared to air cooled. We have the option of moving to a place that has a swap cooler and I wonder if it will be cheaper than A/C.

**Sari** · 04-29-2006, 01:44 PM

I'm not sure what that is. Can you clarify?

**sunnysideup** · 04-29-2006, 02:03 PM

Lol, I guess I can't spell. I meant Swamp cooler, not swap.

**Sari** · 04-29-2006, 02:08 PM

Still don't know what that is. LOL Do you mean like a room air conditioner?

**couponchic** · 04-29-2006, 02:16 PM

I'm not sure what a swamp cooler is or how it compares with air conditioning, but I think I've saw some members on here discussing that they own swamp coolers. Hopefully, one of the members who has one will see this thread and be able to give you some info.

**Darlene** · 04-29-2006, 02:20 PM

Here's more about them. Looks like they do better in a hot DRY climate as opposed to a humid one.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-swamp-cooler.htm
http://www.grist.org/advice/ask/2004/07/22/umbra-swamp/

**canadian gardener** · 04-29-2006, 05:00 PM

I asked this a few years back, and I was told it was like a fan with damp ribbons of cloth that spun off the front of the fan.

As they flutter and evaporate the air cools. You need dry air that evaporates well. If it's humid it won't work.

The electricity will be just to run the fan, not the compressor so theoretically it will save a lot IF you live in a hot DRY climate. But I've never used one so I don't know.

**leezza** · 05-01-2006, 05:59 PM

Sunny,

I don't know where you live but I live in Northern California and for those 4-6 months when it gets really warm the Swamp Cooler just doesn't do the job as far as our family is concerned. It helps a little but nothing like AC.....

JMHO,
leezza

**Telephus44** · 05-14-2006, 04:48 PM

I had never heard of these until I moved to CO for a year. I was under the general impression that they are kind of like a humidifier - I know at least for me it feels cooler with more moisture in the air. I didn't actually have one so I can't comment on whether they work or not, but I know that they are cheaper to run.

**PrairieRose** · 05-25-2006, 03:48 PM

Years ago we had one and we live in a pretty dry area. I have to say that it was much cheaper to run (about 1/2) but it kept the house damp and even our clothes felt wet when we got them out of the closet. For years everyone had them here, I wouldn't want another one. My db lives in N.M. and they have them there and they do fine but it's dryer even still than here.

**Early Bird** · 05-25-2006, 05:13 PM

We do!

Yes, I believe it's a lot cheaper -- if you have the right weather conditions.

For example, our May '05 electric bill -- before it got hot enough to need the swamp cooler was about $75. Our August electric was $105. Now, our water bill also went up -- from about $40 to about $70, but there was some yard watering in there too.