Evaporative Coolers in Santa Fe, NM
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution for air conditioning in homes in Santa Fe, NM. Refrigerated air conditioning is the standard across much of the country. In a dry climate like ours, however, evaporative coolers are as popular as ever, with the ability to cool the home using the natural process of evaporation. These are also known as swamp coolers, and they can be difficult to maintain on your own.
When you need service for your evaporative cooler in Santa Fe, NM, reach out to the team at Santa Fe Express Plumbing & Drain. We can provide routine maintenance for your evaporative cooler before the season begins and help you prepare it for winter. We also install and replace evaporative coolers, but if you’re thinking of upgrading to refrigerated AC, we can handle that too! Call us today to schedule air conditioning services in Santa Fe, NM and the surrounding area.
How Swamp Coolers Work
The term “swamp cooler” is interesting because a swampy area is the last place you would want to have one. The system relies on the evaporation of water on a damp pad to cool the air naturally, and this can’t happen when there is too much humidity in the air. Dry air and heat are the only ingredients necessary for water evaporation, so a swamp cooler simply combines a damp cooling pad with a fan to bring in warm air from outside.
Evaporative Coolers vs. Refrigerated Air
Evaporative coolers and standard central air conditioners each have their advantages and disadvantages. Central air conditioning can be expensive to install. With all of the motors and pumps required for refrigeration, it can also cost a bit more to run that a swamp cooler.
Evaporative coolers are an inexpensive cooling option if you live in a dry area like ours. They can struggle quite a bit if it’s ever humid (like during monsoon season). When they work properly, however, swamp coolers rarely run into problems and cost little to operate since they only really need to run a fan.
Swamp Cooler Maintenance
Swamp coolers are not known for running into problems very frequently. However, when they do run into problems, it’s usually something 100% preventable. If you don’t properly winterize your swamp cooler, parts can rust during the winter. Corrosion is the main reason evaporative coolers have to be replaced.
In addition, bacteria can grow within the system if you leave standing water, along with the possibility of mold and mildew spreading to the home. Supply lines to the evaporative cooler can burst in a winter freeze. Be sure to contact our team at the end of summer to start the process of getting your system ready for the temperature plunge.
Should You Upgrade an Evaporative Cooler in Santa Fe?
While swamp coolers were once the standard for cooling in our area, more and more people are making the switch to refrigerated air. A central AC system may cost more to run, but as they become more and more efficient, the difference in operating costs is minimal. Evaporative coolers can only lower the temperature of a home by about 10°F, and there’s no real way to customize one to the temperature you want.
Refrigerated AC works in any weather, and may be a better choice for your home. If you want to retrofit central air conditioning into your home, speak to our professionals. Santa Fe Express Plumbing & Drain can help you choose a new system or repair, replace, or maintain your existing evaporative cooler, and we’ll do it as quickly as possible. Contact us today to request an estimate!