New Mexico monsoon season is upon us, and those of us that own swamp coolers know that it’s going to be a muggy, hot few months with lots of humidity. At Affordable Service Plumbing and Heating, we install and perform maintenance on swamp coolers and refrigerated air conditioning units, so we know the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Here’s a look at how swamp coolers are effected by humidity, and why you might want to consider switching to refrigerated air.

If you live in a hot, dry climate, swamp coolers are simple and effective. They are energy-efficient, and cost-efficient. Most of the time, in New Mexico, they’re great, but swamp coolers have some serious drawbacks. When monsoon season hits, from mid-July to the end of September, if humidity exceeds 55%, swamp coolers are rendered useless. Swamp coolers work by evaporating water to cool the air, but when there’s already water in the air, they stop cooling. Refrigerated air however, can cool your home up to 30 degrees below outside temperatures regardless of outside humidity.

If you have a swamp cooler and you’ve noticed it’s doing an inadequate job of cooling your home or business, call Affordable Service, before monsoon season starts. You’ll be glad you switched to refrigerated air!