I’ve been in my new house now for almost a year, and I’ll tell you that I don’t miss the swamp cooler I had at my old house. Granted, it was better than not having any kind of cooling at all, but it wasn’t great either.
My current house has air conditioning, and I know for a fact that I could never live in another house with a swamp cooler. Sure, my electric bill goes up from having an air conditioner, but it’s worth it to be comfortable in my home.
I remember when I was much younger, we’d just moved here from Ohio, and we had never heard of swamp coolers. And my dad was getting a crash course in them. He quickly figured out that he hated climbing on the roof and having to replace the pads, adjust the float, and anything else that the two swamp coolers required. He and my mom dealt with those coolers for as long as they could stand before spending the money and getting an air conditioner. I don’t remember their relief when they first kicked on the amazing cooling unit, but I imagine they relished in the consistent cool air in their home.
We’re now in that wonderful time of year where we springboard through spring and plummet almost directly into summer. Springtime in New Mexico is super short, so it doesn’t take long for the swamp coolers and air conditioners to be kicked on.
Is A Swamp Cooler Right For You?
Swamp coolers do what they can to cool homes in the kind of heat that we have. Remember, they have a hard time keeping up in triple-digit temperatures or when humidity is present. Because of this, there are people who get fed up with everything that comes with swamp coolers, and those people will save their money and invest in an air conditioner for their homes.
Converting to air conditioning can be amazing if that’s something you’re interested in. The price tag can be a little shocking, and it will take a little more time to get it installed. Also, your electric bill will go up in the summer months, whereas your water bill goes up with a swamp cooler. But that consistent cool air is pretty darn nice.
But if you’ve had an air conditioner for a while, here’s something you’ll need to know: if your unit requires R22 refrigerant, you will need to start saving your money for a new unit. I know the question going through your mind right now is, “Why?” You’re probably also thinking about how great your current unit is working, and if it ain’t broken, then why replace it.
Phasing Out R22 Refrigerant
The truth is that R22 refrigerant has been in the process of being phased out for years. In fact, it’s now more difficult to get it because it’s refurbished R22, instead of new R22. This adds to the difficulty of maintaining your current unit if it requires this kind of refrigerant. Why has this been phased out? Simply put, it’s not safe for the environment and has contributed to the hole in the ozone layer.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but getting a new air conditioner that uses R-410A refrigerant is what you’ll need to do. This type of refrigerant is one that’s better for the environment and is also required for the new units being installed in homes. So, in short, a necessary evil.
While I’m a huge supporter of air conditioning, I also know and recognize that not everyone has this kind of conversion in their budget. We’re still recovering from the pandemic, and counting pennies is important for everyone. But I will say that it’s also worth the investment if that’s something anyone is considering doing for their home.
Even better news is that the excellent HVAC technicians with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling are fully capable of helping you, no matter which situation you’re in. They have the know-how and the expertise to get the job done and get it done right.
Contact Us To Learn More!
So, if you’re looking to convert from a swamp cooler to an air conditioner or need to upgrade to a newer model with the R-410A refrigerant, now is a great time! The weather is getting warmer, and you’re going to want to escape the heat and be in a cool house. If you need the name of a great company, I happen to know a place.