While evaporative cooling is one of the oldest forms of climate control still found today, evaporative coolers remain a highly sought-after alternative to traditional air conditioning. While very effective and efficient when used properly, these cooling units are not for use everywhere. Due to the evaporative process used by these swamp coolers, these cooling units are best used in hot, dry climates, including the Southwestern United States. In these climates, however, an evaporative cooler can be your most effective and efficient means of climate control. There are many different benefits of evaporative cooling, but to truly understand them, you have to compare evaporative coolers to more traditional air conditioners. The comparison below covers some of the biggest benefits of evaporative coolers: Evaporative CoolingTraditional Cooling - Economical to operate  - Higher-cost to operate - Energy efficient - Higher energy usage - Best used in hot, dry climates - Effective in any climate - Fresh, clean air - Recirculated air - Inexpensive installation - More up front installation costs - Minimal maintenance required - Regular cleaning needed - Very low CO2 emissions  - Higher emissions comparatively   - Adds moisture to the air - Removes moisture from the air - Allows for open windows and doors - Effective in enclosed

space - Quiet operation  - Some are noisy when runningOperational costsEvaporative swamp coolers are highly efficient and economical cooling devices that, on-the-whole, will operate for less money than an air conditioner. Evaporative coolers cost less to both operate and maintain than their air conditioning counterparts. In addition to being inexpensive to install, evaporative coolers also do not require anything more than minimal seasonal maintenance. Traditional cooling devices, however, require regular cleaning of the air filter to ensure the unit is operating at maximum efficiency. Evaporative coolers also use less energy while operating when compared to typical a/c units. It is important to remember that due to the evaporation process, an evaporative cooler is most efficient in an area that is both hot and dry, without a lot of moisture in the air. Air QualityDue to the cooling process utilized by evaporative coolers, these units work best by circulating outside air throughout your home or office.

This ensures that your air is fresh and does not become stale. This also means you can operate your evaporative cooler with your windows and doors wide open. In contrast, air conditioners and other traditional coolers work best in enclosed areas, and typically will only work well when windows and doors are closed. how to find out what size ac unit i needThus, these units are forced to constantly recirculate the same air within your room in an effort to keep cold air within your room. ac unit fan does not turn onMoisture LevelsEvaporative coolers use their simple cooling technology to inject moisture into the air, cooling your home or office through evaporation. how much is ac unit costThis added moisture can keep your eyes and skin from drying out.

Traditional air conditioners remove moisture from the air, which can be difficult on your eyes and can cause your skin to dry out and crack. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, an evaporative cooler can help with your symptoms. Dry air can aggravate allergies and asthma, especially in children and the elderly, so an evaporative cooler and the added moisture it provides can be particularly beneficial. Environmental ConcernsWhile some traditional air conditioning units emit a particular level of carbon dioxide, evaporative coolers emit a much lower level of CO2. Evaporative swamp coolers also use less energy, which not only keeps costs down, but is better for the environment. If you're more worried about noise pollution, then an evaporative cooler also has you covered. Evaporative units operate much quieter than traditional air conditioners, making them a perfect cooling option for the bedroom, office, or any other area where you have to monitor noise levels. In contrast, air conditioners are typically much louder when operating.

However, there are some portable air conditioners that run quietly and can still be used in bedrooms or offices.For more information on evaporative swamp coolers, check out these resources: The complete guide to evaporative coolingA rundown of the best evaporative swamp coolersSide-by-side comparison of different swamp coolersPITTSBURGH (KDKA) – If you’re considering buying an air conditioner, but you don’t want a lot of fuss with a window installation, you might be tempted to go with one of those portable floor units. But beware, Consumer Reports tested a bunch of them and found they’re not much better than your average fan. With temperatures rising outside, a seemingly easy fix is a portable air conditioner. They’re designed to draw in warm air, cool it, then exhaust it outside through a hose that connects to your window. Consumer Reports tested eight of them, brands like Honeywell, Haier and Frigidaire. Prices range from $250 to more than $500. Consumer Reports used a special chamber to test their cooling power.

The temperature outside was kept at 90 degrees and the humidity at 70 percent. Inside, each air conditioner was set to 75 degrees. Strings of thermocouples recorded temperatures throughout the room. The results were disappointing. “None of these units, not even the biggest ones, could get our test chamber below 80 degrees, even after an hour and 40 minutes,” Bob Markovich, Consumer Reports, said. That was true even of the most expensive unit tested – a $550 Honeywell, which promises to cool up to 550 feet. It struggled to cool the test chamber, which was half that size. “Window air conditioners are much more effective, and they tend to cost less,” Markovich said. Consumer Reports found at least one window unit to recommend for each sized room. For larger rooms and medium sized rooms, two LG brand air conditioners won, costing $350 and $240 respectively. For smaller rooms, Consumer Reports’ best buy is a $210 GE. The reason these portable air conditioners don’t work is because while they use conditioned air from inside the house to cool the condenser and force the hot air out through that vent, it creates negative pressure, which actually draws more hot air into the room you’re trying to cool.