Evaporative Cooling Guide

How to choose, install, and maintain an evaporative cooler. The complete guide.

Does It Work Where You Live?

Evaporative cooling works in dry climates (under 50% humidity). West Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado: excellent. East Texas, Gulf Coast, Southeast: too humid. Check your average summer humidity.

Sizing

CFM (cubic feet per minute) determines cooling capacity. Measure room: L x W x H, multiply by 2. That's your CFM target. A 1,500 sqft home needs ~6,000 CFM. Oversizing wastes water; undersizing doesn't cool.

Installation

Window units: DIY in 30 minutes. Roof-mount: professional install ($500-1,000 labor). Ducted: uses existing ductwork or new ducts. Needs a window or vent open for air exhaust (this is key).

Operating Cost

Water: 3-15 gallons/hour ($0.01-0.05/hr). Electricity: $0.10-0.30/hr (fan + pump). Total: $30-80/month in summer. AC equivalent: $150-400/month. The savings are real.

Maintenance Calendar

Monthly: Clean pads, check water level, clean reservoir. Seasonally: Replace pads ($20-50). Winterize: Drain, cover, disconnect. 30 minutes of maintenance prevents 95% of problems.