Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers do not work well in Florida because they work best in dry climates. Florida is not known for being dry; it is known for being humid, which means there is already a lot of moisture in the air. Evaporative coolers add more moisture, and when the air is already humid, they don't do much cooling. These coolers work well in places like the deserts of California where the air is dry. So, in Florida, air conditioners that remove humidity are usually a much better choice for staying cool.

Absolutely, swamp coolers do work, particularly in arid climates. They add humidity to the air, which makes the air temperature drop. Evaporative coolers are essentially a fan and a water pump. You run the hot, dry air through the water and the fan, and what you get back is a nice, cool, humid breeze. They use a fraction of the electricity that a regular air conditioner uses, so they can cool off a space at a very low cost. The only thing to keep in mind is that they do best in places where the relative humidity is below 50%. If you have a room with an indoor relative humidity of 80%, forget it. These things are just going to blow damp air at you.

Installing an evaporative cooler can vary a lot in cost, depending on where you live and what kind of cooler you pick. On average, it might run between $500 and $3,500. Cheaper models might be simpler and smaller, while larger, more advanced models can cost a lot; they might go even higher than $3,500 if you are cooling a whole house. If you are doing it yourself, it might cost less, but if you hire a professional, expect costs to add up because of labor. Also consider: if your house isn't already set up to accommodate a system like this, you might need to make some alterations—like drilling holes for the vents—that could add substantially to the overall cost.

One large drawback of an evaporative air cooler is that it operates most effectively in dry climates and not in wet ones. This is because it cools the air by adding moisture to it, and if the air is already moist, it doesn't cool very well—if at all. Sometimes, it can make a space feel clammy, especially if it was already feeling hot and humid before you turned it on. And with a heat wave gripping much of the country, you need something that will work as hard as (or harder than) any regular air conditioning unit.

Evaporative coolers are less effective when the temperature outside rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They work best in dry, hot conditions because they not only cool the air but also add moisture to it. When conditions are extremely hot and humid, the air already contains a large amount of moisture, limiting how much the evaporative cooler can add and thus rendering it a lot less effective than it could be.

Yes, swamp coolers, or evaporative coolers as they are sometimes called, can work in 100-degree weather. But that effectiveness really depends on humidity. Swamp coolers work best in dry climates. They add moisture to the air, which helps cool it down. And in that kind of weather, they make the air feel cooler and much more comfortable. If you happen to live in a place where it's just hot and dry, a swamp cooler can be a viable option.

Running your evaporative cooler all day is certainly possible, but there are some things to consider. It performs optimally when the weather is intensely hot and dry. In any case, you'll want to ensure there's sufficient water for it to function. Also, to make sure the air is actually flowing through your home, consider keeping a few windows open. There are more efficient ways to use the cooler (e.g., operating it only during the times when it's not too hot to render it useless). Folks in cool, humid weather can usually get by without one of these machines. If you live in such an area, find ways to save enough water and electricity to keep your resources intact.

Evaporative coolers aren't the best choice for wet climates. They work better in arid areas because they use water to cool the air. If you live in a place that's already wet, an evaporative cooler might not make the air feel cooler. Instead, it could make it feel more damp. So, in a wet climate, it's better to use an air conditioner that can handle the moisture and cool the air effectively.

When the air is already humid, you shouldn't use evaporative cooling. That's because evaporative coolers like these work best in dry places. If the air has too much moisture in it, the cooler just can't do its thing. And these aren't really great if it's super hot, either, because they're not as strong as regular air conditioners. Finally, if you live in a place with poor air quality, these bring in outside air, which is probably not going to be good for your health.

No, it's actually better to keep some windows open when using an evaporative cooler. This helps the airflow and lets the moist air escape. If windows are closed, the air inside might become too humid, and it won't feel as cool. By cracking open a few windows, you allow fresh air to come in, and this helps the cooler work better. Just make sure to open the windows on the opposite side of where the cooler is for the best effect.