How much does it cost to install a window evaporative cooler?

Living in warm climates calls for an efficient cooling system. Mostly, everyone is familiar with traditional air conditioning — it cools by taking the humidity out of the air. However, directly opposite to air conditioning is evaporative cooling, which works by adding humidity into the air. It is typically less expensive to purchase and run more efficiently than air conditioners.

Window evaporative coolers are similar to average evaporative or swamp coolers, but they only cool a particular room or area and are installed below a window. However, they reduce more leaks than swamp coolers, which are installed on the roof. These coolers work in a ventilated room, with either the windows slightly opened or with ceiling vents, providing constant fresh air, as opposed to air conditioners that use recycled air. Also, if you are environmentally conscious, they don't use refrigerants that damage the ozone.

Window evaporative coolers come in all sizes and they can cool a large area up to 1,600 sq. ft. or you can get a smaller unit for an isolated area such as 400 sq.ft. Therefore, they are sold based on the area they can cool.

For this cost guide, we will explore the costs of installing a window evaporative cooler for a 1,600 sq.ft. one story house, which averages $940 - $1,1000.

Air quality and moisture level

One of the benefits of a window swamp cooler ¹ is that it adds moisture to the air. This can help with a variety of things such as keeping wood furnishing, floors and trims from drying out. Added moisture is good for your skin, eyes, and hair. The pads also act as an air filter and give you cleaner air to breathe. This benefit helps to reduce allergy symptoms. Cleaner, moister air is, in fact, a great benefit.

Size

Having the right size cooler will give you the desired results - a cooler home. You must measure cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is length x width x height. Each cooler has a rating on it so will know if it will be able to cool your space. Here is a sample:

20(L) x 20(W) x 8 (H) = 3,200/2 = 1,600 CFM. For this space you would look for a cooler with CFM of at least 1,600.

Portable vs window cooler

Aside from the large roof installed models, there are two smaller styles of evaporative coolers. The window cooler is installed in a particular window in your home, so it will cool that room and the surrounding area depending on the square footage the unit is rated for. On average, they cost $400 - $1000.

There are also portable units which give the homeowner more flexibility; they can be moved from room to room or positioned so the air is blowing in a different direction. The portable units may be perfect for smaller homes, condominiums or apartments where the window units would not work on upper flows or may not be allowed if you are renting the apartment. However, they require regular maintenance and the homeowner must keep the area ventilated and refill the water regularly.

Portable units are available in a variety of sizes. There is a tiny one that is 2’ square and will cool 50 sq.ft. and has a 10-hour water tank; the price is $40-100. In the other extreme, there is a huge industrial-sized unit that will cool 6,250 sq. ft., whose price is $1,100-$5,000. Most homeowners will want a manageable size that may cool just one room. Price range for portable swamp coolers ¹ is $100-$600; dependent on area of cooling coverage and other features specific to the unit, such as remote control, capacity of water tank, etc. 

Types of pads

Evaporative coolers work by passing air over a pad that is soaked with water. Depending on the type of cooler you purchase, it may have one of three different types of pad:

• Aspen pads or fixed fiber pads are made of shredded aspen wood fibers and last one to two years. They cost between $20 and $40 per pad.
• Rotating pad coolers are essentially pads sewn into a belt shape, which rotate or turn as they cool. They do not require a pump, and last about two to three years, costing $40 to $60 a piece.
• Rigid sheet pads are made of corrugated material that is stacked tightly together. They last much longer than other pads if water quality is maintained - up to four to six years. They cost around $50 to $80 a pad.

Brands

The following table introduces several brands of window evaporative coolers. Each of these has the capacity to cool a 1,600 sq.ft. space. Notice the pros, cons and price for each; there is quite a range to choose from:

Labor

Installation is relatively easy, taking about 2 hours. A professional plumber will be able to get this job done in 1-2 hours; labor for a typical plumber is $45-$65 per hour.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Thermostat ³

Thermostats ³ are available for window evaporative coolers. This is nice and convenient to be able to set the temperature you desire. Thermostats ⁶ range in price from approximately $40 to $200. There are some units that are wireless and others are hard wired in. Installing the thermostat would be similar to installing an electrical outlet and should not take more than one hour. The most it would cost is $85 for the high end electrician.

Purge pump

A purge pump ⁴ works well to clean the water from the system which in turn cleans the air as well. Purging the water can extend the life of the pads. Varying pumps ⁴ purge at different time intervals such as every 6 or 8 hours. Prices range from $50-$120.

Ceiling vents

Swamp coolers ¹ work best when there is a good balance between the air coming in and the air going out. One way to find this balance is to slightly open a window. If you do not want your window open you can install ceiling vents to keep the in and out air balanced. Ceiling vents cost about $4 to $25 a piece depending on size and style.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

³ Thermostat: A device that senses and regulates temperature by turning heating and cooling devices on and off

⁴ Pump: A device used to move air, liquid, or gas by mechanical means