In arid climates, the moisture added to the air can prevent dry skin, itchy eyes, and static electricity.
The core of a window swamp cooler is surprisingly simple. It typically consists of a blower motor, a water pump, and thick cooling pads.
| Outdoor RH (%) | Temp drop (°C) | Efficiency (%) | Water use (L/h) | EER (Btu/Wh) | |----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| | 15 | 11.8 | 78 | 3.5 | 42 | | 30 | 9.5 | 68 | 2.9 | 38 | | 50 | 4.2 | 35 | 1.5 | 22 | | 60+ | <2 | <20 | 0.8 | 10 | window swamp cooler
As the air passes through, the water evaporates, absorbing heat and dropping the air temperature by 15°F to 40°F .
Example: A room that is 10 ft wide, 12 ft long, with 8 ft ceilings. 10 × 12 × 8 = 960 cubic feet. 960 ÷ 2 = In arid climates, the moisture added to the
The cooled air is blown into the house, displacing warmer air, which must be allowed to escape through a slightly opened window or door at the opposite end of the home. Key Benefits vs. Standard AC
Window-mounted swamp coolers (direct evaporative coolers) offer a low-energy alternative to vapor-compression air conditioners, but their effectiveness is highly dependent on ambient humidity. This paper investigates the cooling performance, water consumption, and energy use of a commercially available window swamp cooler under varied climatic conditions. Experimental data from a test room in a hot-dry region (Las Vegas, NV) show a temperature drop of 8–12°C and a cooling efficiency of 65–80% at relative humidity below 30%. Energy consumption was 75% lower than a comparable window AC unit. However, performance degraded sharply when outdoor humidity exceeded 50%. The paper concludes with design recommendations and suitability maps for residential adoption. | Outdoor RH (%) | Temp drop (°C)
A powerful fan pulls hot, dry air from outside through these wet pads.