Swamp Cooler VS Air Conditioning

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Swamps coolers or good ol' AC. Which do you prefer? Have you even heard of a swamp cooler? Both cool the air, but work in different ways.

Take note of the FeelsLike temperature snapshot from earlier Thursday. Some areas in the 90s; others in the 70s. What gives? Well, rain that moved through parts of our area helped cool the air through evaporation, and that's exactly how a swamp cooler works! Swamp coolers draw in dry outdoor air, allowing it to pass over water-saturated pads. The natural evaporation process drops the temperature but raises the room's humidity. This is why swamp coolers work best in drier climates like the Southwest and Inter-Mountain West; not Illinois. Nonetheless, they are energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective.

Air conditioners, meanwhile use refrigerants to remove heat from indoor air, providing powerful cooling regardless of humidity levels. They tend to be more expensive to purchase and operate but are highly effective in humid environments. They also help filter and dehumidify indoor air.

The bottom line: swamp coolers excel in dry climates; air conditioners perform well in humid conditions, something we'll most certainly need over the coming days.

Stay sweaty, stay safe, and stay weather-aware.