Swamp coolers are a very popular method of cooling during the Summer months on the Western Slope of Colorado because they work great in hot, dry climates, and can produce effective cooling at less cost than a standard air conditioner. Swamp coolers use a natural process of water evaporation with a simple air-moving system and will cool your space down very efficiently if you optimize the performance correctly. Follow these 5 steps to allow your swamp cooler to work the most efficiently.

Install Your Swamp Cooler Correctly

There is not one right way for swamp cooler installation. There are many different types of swamp coolers, and they are all installed differently. For larger coolers, like ones designed to cool an entire home, the swamp cooler installation process is more complex. These types of coolers will usually need to be mounted in an external wall with access to moving air. Swamp cooler installation for portable swamp coolers is more simple, as they just need to be plugged in, filled up, and turned on. Make sure to keep the water tank on your swamp cooler full, and the cooler should work to cool the air to the desired temperature. For more complex swamp cooler installation it may be a good idea to call a professional so that you don’t come across future issues.

Have A Window Open

Once you’ve gone through the swamp cooler installation process, it’s time let it do its job, and start cooling your desired space. Swamp coolers create moisture in order to create a cooling effect. If that moisture is able to build up in your home, your swamp cooler will become less effective. In order for the most sufficient cooling to take place the air being forced into a room/home needs an exit path, such as an open window. It is recommended to crack the window, not have them fully open, because you still want the majority of the cool air to stay circulating throughout the room or house. The general rule is a two square foot opening per 1000 cubic feet per minute (CFM ) the evaporative cooler provides.

Use It In The Right Conditions

Believe it or not, swamp coolers actually perform better when it’s warmer! In order for your swamp cooler to work the most efficiently, there needs to be a significant difference in temperature between cooling pads, the water, and the air. The humidity in the air should be less than 50 percent, which we don’t have a problem with here on the Western Slope of Colorado, in order for your swamp cooler to work the best it can.

Keep The Filters Clean

The main purpose of the water filter is to clear any impurities in order to maximize the evaporation. Swamp coolers exchange stale air for fresh air every one to three minutes. So, when your swamp cooler is running frequently during the Summer months the filter is picking up many different things from the air. Cleaning your filters will help keep the air you are breathing cleaner, and allow your swamp cooler to run more efficiently. If you are not able to clean the filters on your own, contact a professional for swamp cooler service.

Keep Up On Maintenance

In order to keep your swamp cooler running properly and efficiently, make sure to clean all of the components of your swamp cooler, and check that they are working correctly. It’s always a good idea to try and get this done before a heat wave. To make sure your swamp cooler is maintained properly, you should have a professional come out to perform swamp cooler service. This will also help extend the life of your swamp cooler unit.


A swamp cooler that runs properly and efficiently can make a big difference during the hot Summer months. For swamp cooler installation or swamp cooler service on the Western Slope of Colorado contact our professionals today!