About Swamp Cooler Guide
An independent reference for everyone who owns, buys, installs or repairs an evaporative cooler.
On this page
Swamp Cooler Guide exists to answer one question well: how do you get the most comfort, for the least money and hassle, out of evaporative cooling? We cover the whole life of a cooler, from deciding whether one will work in your climate, through sizing and installation, to the pads, pumps, motors and belts that keep it running, and the troubleshooting that gets it going again on the first hot day of the year.
Why a dedicated evaporative cooling resource
Evaporative coolers cool millions of homes, garages, shops and farms across the American West, yet most information about them is scattered across old forum threads, thin product listings and owner's manuals written for one model. Much of it repeats myths: that coolers work anywhere, that they need no maintenance, or that they always cause mold. Good decisions come from understanding the physics (mostly the wet-bulb temperature) and the hardware, so that is where we start.
What we publish
- Guides organized by topic, from troubleshooting and maintenance to pumps and water, motors, belts and blowers and winterization.
- Calculators that show their formulas, including CFM sizing and expected supply air temperature.
- Original data such as the Swamp Cooler Climate Index, which rates U.S. cities using design-day climate data.
- A glossary of the terms you will meet on parts boxes, in manuals and from contractors.
Who writes and reviews our guides
Articles are published by the Swamp Cooler Guide Editorial Team. Each guide is researched against primary technical material: manufacturer installation and service manuals, the ASHRAE Handbook, U.S. Department of Energy and EPA guidance, university extension publications and weather service climate data. Procedures are checked against how the hardware is actually built and serviced, and calculations are reproduced independently before publication. Every page shows the date it was last updated, and we revise guides when products, prices or guidance change.
Independence
No manufacturer, retailer or contractor pays for coverage, rankings or placement in our guides, and we do not accept free products in exchange for coverage. Where we discuss brands, we describe what each maker is known for and what to check before buying, based on published information. Our full policies are in the editorial standards.
Safety first
Coolers combine water, line-voltage electricity and, often, a roof. Our guides flag the hazards and tell you when a job belongs to a licensed electrician, plumber or HVAC contractor. Always disconnect power at the disconnect switch or breaker before working on a cooler, and follow your owner's manual where it differs from general guidance. See our terms and disclaimer.
Contact us
Questions, corrections and suggestions for new guides are welcome. Visit the contact page, or email editor@swampcoolerguide.com.