New Evaporative Cooling Systems: An Emerging Solution for Homes in Hot Dry Climates with Modest Cooling Loads

There’s a world of difference between old-style swamp coolers and modern evaporative cooling systems. The latter can provide years of trouble-free service and cool, clean, comfortable, fresh  air at a lower energy cost than conventional air conditioners—and initial costs are competitive as well.  In addition, the latest evaporative cooler designs are a lot easier on the grid than  compressor-based cooling systems.  Instead of peak demands of three to five kilowatts (kW) or more, typical demands for mid-size evaporative coolers are on the order of one kW.  In addition  to improved performance, modern evaporative coolers include options for thermostatic control and automated flushing of reservoir water to reduce buildup of impurities. Accordingly, wide-spread use of evaporative coolers can help delay adding expensive new power plants to the electric grid and the controversial transmission lines that often accompany them.  That’s the reason a number of utility companies in areas with hot, dry summers and substantial population growth have programs to promote efficient evaporative coolers.