How much does a swamp cooler cost to install?
How much does a swamp cooler cost to install?
$1,200 – $3,600 average mounted unit cost installed
Swamp cooler cost
Swamp cooler installation costs $1,200 to $3,600 on average for the unit and labor, depending on the size and whether it’s mounted on the roof, ground, or window. Evaporative cooler prices are $350 to $1,900 for the unit alone, plus $750 to $1,500 for the installation labor.
| Type | Total cost installed |
|---|---|
| Roof-mounted swamp cooler | $1,300 – $3,600 |
| Ground-mounted swamp cooler | $1,100 – $3,300 |
| Ducted evaporative cooler | $1,300 – $3,600 |
| Window-mounted swamp cooler (DIY) | $350 – $1,100 |
| Portable evaporative cooler (DIY) | $100 – $1,500 |
Average cost to install a swamp cooler
The following table shows the average cost to install a mounted swamp cooler.
| National average cost | $2,300 |
| Minimum cost | $200 |
| Maximum cost | $5,200 |
| Average cost range | $1,200 to $3,600 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Swamp cooler prices
A swamp cooler costs $100 to $1,900 for the unit alone, depending on the type, size, and mounting location. Swamp coolers—also called evaporative coolers—blow air into a central location or connect to ductwork to distribute air to multiple spaces. A swamp cooler offers energy-efficient cooling when used in a warm, dry climate.
| Unit type | Average unit cost* | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof-mounted (down-draft) | $400 – $1,800 |
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| Ground-mounted (up-draft) | $400 – $1,900 |
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| Window and wall-mounted (side-draft) | $350 – $1,100 |
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| Ducted evaporative cooler | $400 – $1,800 |
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| Portable cooler | $100 – $1,500 |
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*Not including installation.
Roof-mounted swamp cooler prices
A roof swamp cooler costs $1,300 to $3,600 installed, depending on the installation complexity. Installation requires cutting a hole in the roof, sealing against leaks, and connecting the unit to electrical, plumbing, and duct systems.
A ductless mini-split system costs $3,000 to $10,000 and offers an alternative cooling option for homes without ductwork. A mini-split system requires no roof or duct modifications and works well in any climate.
New ground-mounted swamp cooler cost
A ground-mounted evaporative cooler costs $1,100 to $3,300 installed. Professional installation takes 8 hours on average to wire and plumb the unit. Ground-mounted horizontal swamp coolers feature easier maintenance and less risk of roof leaks.
Ducted evaporative cooler prices
A ducted evaporative cooler costs $1,300 to $3,600 with installation and uses the same down-draft unit as a roof-mounted cooler. Ducted coolers connect to existing ducts and vents for whole-house, zoned cooling ideal for larger homes with hallways and multiple rooms.
Installing ductwork and vents costs $2,400 to $6,600 on average to retrofit an existing home without ducts.
Window-mounted swamp cooler prices
Window mount swamp coolers cost $350 to $1,100 for the unit alone. These side-draft airflow coolers are typically DIY installed on windowsills or walls, using included brackets and a water hook-up kit purchased from a hardware store.
Portable evaporative cooler prices
Portable evaporative coolers cost $100 to $1,500 or more, depending on the unit size. Portable coolers offer flexible cooling with good energy efficiency when properly sized.
Mobile home swamp cooler prices
Mobile homes benefit from evaporative coolers, which reduce internal temperatures by up to 40° F. Roof-mounted units are not recommended for mobile homes and RVs because of potential roof leaks. Portable and window units are better for these smaller spaces.
Swamp cooler installation cost factors
The labor cost to install a mounted swamp cooler is $750 to $1,500. Professional installation is recommended to avoid potentials leaks, electrical problems, and expensive roof repairs.
| Factor | Mounted unit | Portable unit |
|---|---|---|
| Unit | $350 – $1,900 | $100 – $1,500 |
| Labor | $750 – $1,500 | N/A |
| Supplies | $100 – $200 | N/A |
| Total installed cost | $1,200 – $3,600 | $100 – $1,500 |
The following factors affect the installation cost:
HVAC services charge $75 to $150 per hour for labor, with higher costs for installation in hard-to-reach locations or on steep and second-story roofs.
Brand – Mastercool and Breezair are costlier high-end brands offering better cooling power, reduced energy consumption, and less maintenance.
Unit size – Smaller units for a single room are cheaper than larger units needed for an entire home.
Unit features – Added features like a larger tank capacity, energy-saving timer, and air filtration system increase the cost.
New installation vs. replacement – A new installation incurs higher initial setup costs, including wiring, plumbing, and roof mounting. Replacing an existing swamp cooler incurs added costs for unit removal, disposal, and subsequent repairs.
Other materials – Flashing, tubing, wiring, power equipment rentals, and other miscellaneous parts add to the total installation cost.
Ductwork installation costs $2,400 to $6,600 for homes without existing ductwork. Retrofitting existing ducts costs $270 to $500 per duct run.
Adding an electrical outlet costs $150 to $350 for an exterior receptacle with a cover if an outlet is not within reach of the installation area.
Window frame repair costs $150 to $400 if the installation damages the windowsills.
Evaporative cooling system cost by size
Evaporative cooling systems are sized by cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is how much fresh air they cycle through the home in one minute. Installing a unit too small for the space results in ineffective cooling, while choosing an oversized unit wastes energy.
| Area covered (sq. ft.) | Recommended CFMs* | Unit cost |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 250 | 200 – 750 | $100 – $400 |
| 250 – 500 | 750 – 2,000 | $100 – $700 |
| 500 – 1000 | 2,000 – 4,000 | $150 – $1,000 |
| 1,000 – 2,000 | 4,000 – 7,500 | $300 – $2,500 |
| More than 2000 | 7,500 or more | $600 – $3,000+ |
*For rooms with 8-foot ceilings
Use this formula to estimate the best unit size for the space:
Room cubic feet = Room square footage x ceiling height in feet
CFM size needed = Room cubic feet ÷ 2
Other factors that affect swamp cooler sizing include:
Ceiling height – Increase the CFM size for ceilings over the standard 8-foot height.
Sunlight – Increase the CFMs by 20% for west-facing or sunny rooms.
Room occupancy – Increase the CFMs by 20% for more than two regular occupants in the room.
Appliances – Increase the CFMs by 20% if heat-generating appliances are present, like kitchen appliances or home office equipment.
Evaporative cooler prices by brand
Evaporative cooler prices vary by brand, from $100 for a single-space portable unit to $6,500 for a whole-house cooler. Breezair is the most expensive brand but offers the best warranty.
| Brand | Cost | Warranty information |
|---|---|---|
| Aerocool | $300 – $2,000 | 10-year limited warranty on the base assembly, 2-year coverage on remaining components |
| Bonaire | $500 – $3,000 | 2-year warranty on parts, Lifetime cabinet corrosion warranty |
| Breezair | $1,000 – $6,500 | 7-year comprehensive warranty, 10-year on all structural components, 25-year against corrosion |
| Hessaire | $150 – $1,400 | 1-year limited warranty against defects in material or workmanship |
| Honeywell | $100 – $1,000 | 5-year warranty when purchased through an HVAC professional, 1-year for retail location purchases |
| Mastercool | $500 – $2,500 | 1-year limited warranty against defects in material or workmanship |
Swamp cooler removal cost
Swamp cooler removal costs $70 to $150, depending on local disposal fees. Roof repairs cost $150 to $1,000 or more to fix structural damage and seal against leaks after removing the unit.
Swamp cooler pads price
Swamp cooler replacement pads cost $5 to $100 each, depending on the material quality.
Natural fibers are inexpensive but require mid-season replacement.
Synthetic fibers cost more but last for a full cooling season.
Mastercool and Breezair units use honeycomb-shaped paper pads, which last several years when cleaned annually.
DIY swamp cooler installation cost
DIY swamp cooler installation saves hundreds in installation costs. Still, DIY installation is not recommended for units connecting to existing ductwork, electrical, and plumbing systems. Hire an HVAC professional to avoid expensive damage and repairs.
Average cost to run a swamp cooler
A swamp cooler costs $20 to $60 per month to run, depending on usage and local utility rates. Additional operating expenses include maintenance and cleaning services, cooler pad replacement, and annual winterization.
| Service | Average cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly utility costs* | $20 – $60 |
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| Annual maintenance and cleaning service | $80 – $180 |
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| Winterize the cooler | $100 – $150 |
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| Replace cooler pads | $10 – $100 |
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*Based on 8 hours per day of usage
Evaporative cooler FAQs
What is a swamp cooler, and how does it work?
A swamp cooler is an evaporative cooler that blows warm, outside air over water-saturated cooling pads. The water in the pads evaporates, cooling the air by 15° to 40° F. The unit blows air into a central location or connects to ductwork, distributing the air conditioning to different rooms.
How much does it cost to replace a swamp cooler with central air?
Converting a swamp cooler to central air costs $2,500 to $7,500 when using existing ductwork. Installing new ductwork increases the conversion costs. Central air uses more power than a swamp cooler, increasing monthly utility bills.
Are swamp coolers energy efficient?
Swamp coolers are energy efficient, using 15% to 35% less energy than traditional AC units. A swamp cooler uses a small motor that operates on 115/120 volts of power, while a central air conditioner requires 240-volts.
Do whole-house evaporative coolers work in all climates?
Evaporative coolers work best in hot and dry climates, adding moisture to cool the air. Swamp coolers are ineffective in climates with humidity levels above 60% because the water can't evaporate quickly enough to provide significant cooling.
Where can I buy a swamp cooler?
Homeowners can buy a swamp cooler from a home improvement or hardware store, like Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace Hardware. Walmart and other online retailers sell portable swamp coolers.
How do you install a swamp cooler on a roof?
To install a swamp cooler on a roof, a professional installer will:
Cut a hole in the roof or attic.
Level and mount the unit using brackets and necessary bracing.
Connect the cooler to the internal duct system.
Install a thermostat and wire the cooling unit into the existing electrical system.
Run cool water piping to the unit.
Inspect and seal all connections to prevent leaks.
Hiring an evaporative cooler installer
When hiring an evaporative cooler installer, be sure to:
Look for an EPA-certified HVAC contractor that has been in business for more than five years.
Choose companies that are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Browse their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.
Never pay in full upfront. Follow a payment plan and do not make the final payment until fully satisfied.
Questions to ask
What experience do you have with installing swamp cooler systems?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
Do you recommend a roof-mounted or ground-mounted evaporative cooler, and why?
What size cooler do I need for my square footage?
How long will the installation take?
Will the installation require a permit, and if so, will you obtain it?
Is there a warranty, and if so, what does it include?
What kind of maintenance will the system require?
Will you provide a list of references with contact information?