Swamp Coolers Versus Air Conditioning Part II Posted on 12. Jun, 2013 by Mary Girsch-Bock in Business In my last post, I talked about the advantages and disadvantages of continuing to use swamp coolers in your properties. In fact, business is booming for many HVAC companies touting the advantages of converting evaporative cooling systems to conventional air conditioning systems. Part I made it fairly clear that while there are some distinct advantages to using swamp coolers (lower energy cost, lower repair/replacement cost), there are also some major disadvantages, such as higher water usage. Today, we’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of swapping your evaporative cooling system out for conventional air. Advantages Of Conventional Air Conditioning Conventional air conditioning systems effectively remove humidity from the air, unlike their cooling counterpart, making them an excellent choice for those living in an area where the humidity can rise to uncomfortable levels, rendering swamp coolers useless. Air conditioning does not pull in outside air, making it much more comfortable for those with seasonal allergies. Typically, once an air conditioning unit is installed, it requires less routine maintenance than a swamp cooler, making it less labor and cost intensive for maintenance staff. Conventional air conditioning units can provide much cooler air than swamp coolers, who rely on dry air in order to work most effectively. Disadvantages Of Conventional Air Conditioning While less regular maintenance is required for conventional air conditioning units, when maintenance is required, it is typically more costly, as parts are more expensive and labor typically must be completed by HVAC professionals. While property managers can cut their water consumption by using conventional air conditioning, you’ll need to be expect a higher electric bill – usually about 50 percent to 75 percent more. Duct work will need to be in place prior to running/installing conventional air conditioning units, so be prepared for additional costs. Opening windows dramatically cuts down on the effectiveness of conventional air conditioning systems. If your tenants prefer to have their windows open, be prepared for even higher utility costs as the unit will eat up more energy while struggling to operate at maximum efficiency. Choosing to continue to use evaporative cooling systems or converting to conventional air conditioning is a dilemma that property managers in the southwest and west coast will continue to face as existing systems develop problems and the need for repairs and possible replacement grows. Only you can decide which is right for your company and your tenants.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:28:48 +0000
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