Evaporative Cooler or Air Conditioner?

It is always a shock: the weather goes from a decent temperature to boiling in what seems like mere hours, causing you to scramble for cooling options. Sitting in a hot apartment or house gets old fast, even if you have a few box fans at work or can hide out in a cool basement, you are still uncomfortable and hot. Stop the sweating madness by determining which home cooling system is best for your needs. Evaporative coolers and portable air conditioners each offer benefits that keep your house comfortable so you enjoy your time at home instead feeling like you are melting.

The Best Option for You

The perfect home cooling solution for you depends on a number of factors. The size and area of your home are arguably the biggest factors. You need a cooling source that does not fail to keep your home comfortable, but won't turn it into an ice box that requires wearing hoodies and sweatpants during summer either. The right cooling system also prevents your energy bills from skyrocketing because it is neither working overtime to cool your home or cycling on and off because it is too large for the space. Other considerations include those who dwell in your home--discuss what everyone considers an optimal temperature and come up with something you can all agree on. Insulation is another factor to keep in mind. Any home lacking sufficient insulation results in high energy bills no matter the time of year. Insulating your home prior to cooling system installation is strongly suggested to keep your residence comfortable as the seasons change. Once you have given household factors due thought, you must decide between an air conditioning or swamp cooler system. A swamp cooler uses a pump that circulates water from its reservoir onto a cooling pad. This pad becomes soaked with water while a fan draws outside air through the unit. The air passes through the water-drenched pad and is subsequently cooled via evaporation. Air conditioner rely on chemicals, such as Freon. These chemicals convert from a gas to a liquid and back again easily. They are used to funnel heat from inside the home to the outside to create cool, comfortable spaces. Air conditioners feature a trifecta of main parts: the compressor, condenser, and evaporator. Each plays a vital role in converting the liquids and maintaining cool rooms.

The Portable Swamp Cooler Option

Evaporative cooling has reached new and fantastic heights in recent years. The Luma Comfort Portable Evaporative Cooler EC111B is no exception, and features a plethora of benefits ideal for many housing structures, as well as a sleek, contemporary design that will not take away from your decor theme. This swamp cooler comes equipped with a programmable timer to keep your energy costs down, as well as a simple display and easy-to-use controls. It is designed to keep small to medium-sized rooms cool, including living rooms, bedrooms, sunrooms, offices, and enclosed patios. This portable evaporative cooler features a hard-working motor that cools air quickly and efficiently. Its cooling pad holds more water than previous models. The appliance uses about the same amount of energy as a 100-watt bulb. The EC111B cools up to 250 square feet. The sleek, modern appliance also removes particles from the air and adds moisture to overly-dry apartments and houses. It is ideal for anyone living in a desert or otherwise dry climate such as Arizona or Utah thanks to its humidification abilities. It is also good for those living in urban areas with higher air pollution rates. The removal of particles ensures indoor air remains clean and healthy, something especially important to anyone in your household with asthma, allergies, or other bronchial issues.

The Portable Air Conditioner Option

Portable air conditioners make a powerful option for any room, usually those up to 425 square feet. Such appliances are an eco-friendly choice equipped with auto-evaporative features and three fan speeds. Additional features frequently found on high-quality portable air conditioners such as the such as the NewAir AC-12200E 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner include a 24-hour programmable timer, anti-bacterial water tray, energy-boosting system, sleep function, LCD display, and remote controls. The space cooler removes about 5 pints of moisture every hour and provides ventilation services. It also includes a fan only mode for anytime the room is stuffy but does not require further cooling. An important requirement is the unit must be near a window or sliding door so the hot air can ventilate out of the window kit. A portable air conditioner is perfect for any homeowner living in an excessively-humid environment, such as cities and towns in Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. It is also the right appliance for homeowners who need dehumidifying and cooling in specific areas of the home, such as a basement rec room, or anyone who suffers from serious sinus congestion. The air conditioner dries out the air and therefore the sinuses. The product's versatility arguably makes a great addition to any home regardless of climate. Air conditioners use the environmentally-friend R410A refrigerant to keep residences cool. It also takes very little power to run, meaning it will not cause your energy bills to increase. The appliance makes it easy to enjoy a comfortable home while reducing your carbon footprint.

Which to Pick?