Prices to install a swamp cooler, or evaporative cooler, range from $1,554 to $3,766. The price varies based on the square footage you’re cooling and the type of unit you’re installing.
Evaporative coolers suck in hot, dry air and spit out cool, moist air into the room. They cost less and use less energy than central air conditioners but only work in dry climates. You can install window units and small portable units yourself, although ground units and roof-mounted units typically require an HVAC pro.
Cost to Install a Swamp Cooler Based on the Size of Your Home
Swamp coolers and evaporative coolers range from $40 to $2,300 based on the area of your home and the style of unit, plus labor costs.
The size you need is actually the number of cubic feet obtained by multiplying your square footage by the height of your ceilings and dividing by two. When you just have to cool a few small rooms or a single room, a smaller unit might be the answer you’re looking for.
For a 2,000-square-foot home with 8-foot ceilings, you might want (or might be forced due to the price of lumber!) a swamp cooler that cools off 8,000 cubic feet per minute.
Swamp Cooler Cost Breakdown
There are two main parts to a swamp cooler, and its costs involve the unit price and labor, but you’ll also need a bit of extras to get the job done. Creating supplies are generally included in the contractor’s contract but be sure to verify that before signing off on a contract.
Swamp Cooler Unit
Swamp coolers, in and of themselves, can be priced anywhere from $40 to $2,300, depending on the cubic square feet they cover. The bigger the space, the more powerful a swamp cooler you’ll need.
Labor
An HVAC expert usually cost between $50 and $70 per hour. The total labor cost depends on how difficult the installation is and how long it takes. (Accessibility makes roof units more difficult than ground units, and they typically take around 10 hours.)
Tools and Supplies
If installing your swamp cooler is something you are doing yourself, you’ll likely need to gather a few supplies and tools that you may not already have on hand, including a screwdriver, a wrench, a tape measure and level. You may also have to purchase hard ducts, fittings, fasteners and mounting materials. Prices are going to depend on the kind and the brand you choose as well as the cost of supplies in your area.
Removal of Old System
If you have an existing swamp cooler that needs to go, expect to spend about $70 to $150. Ask your contractor whether their quote involves the removal and disposal of the old unit.
Cost to Install Swamp Cooler by Type
The amount of money you’ll dish out for one of these will depend on what type you buy, as they can be small and portable or younger, or mounted on a roof.
Window Unit Swamp Coolers
Windows unit coolers are priced from $290 to $1,000. These can generally be installed by you in two hours or fewer.
Portable Evaporative Coolers
Portable models come in all sizes, from puny travel versions to $40 to $2,300 behemoths. Compact plug-in models need little or no installation and space, while big ones require ductwork.
Ground Unit Swamp Coolers
Ground unit swamp coolers typically run $350-$1,600. You can expect that labor rates will range from $50 to $70 an hour because ground units are easier to install and easier to work on compared to their rooftop counterparts.
Roof-Mounted Swamp Coolers
At $350 to $1,600, roof-mounted units are also about the same price as ground units. Labor can be expensive, generally $70 an hour, because the location is harder to reach. And if there’s not already a hole in your roof, you should be ready to pay even more. If you don’t currently have a duct system in your home, you might have to set aside more money, too.
Ducted Evaporative Cooling
Installation of ductwork costs $400 – $900. The labor cost for vents and ducts are included, but not the cooler’s unit. Ductwork quantity: Cost of labor and material is directly affected.
Cost to Install a Swamp Cooler Yourself
The expense of installing a swamp cooler yourself varies depending on the cost of the unit and the tools or duct work required. You’ll probably also want to pick up a screwdriver, wrench, tape measure, and level if you don’t own those already.
Depending on the make and model of your cooler, you may also have to purchase fittings, fasteners and mounting hardware if they are not included.
If your cooler needs ducts beyond the ones you have, you’ll have to buy and install those ducts. Depending on how heavy and large your unit is, you might need a helper to raise and situate your swamp cooler.
By doing the installation yourself, you save $50 to $70 an hour in labor, but rates do vary by contractor. Window units or small, portable units are usually relatively simple to install yourself, typically taking under two hours. But those need 10 hours on average to mount on a rooftop or on the ground and they require a bit more experience.
There is always some danger of falling and getting hurt when you’re on your roof, especially if you’re not used to working on roofs. Installing the ductwork also requires skill and experience and is best handled by an HVAC pro near you.
Swamp Cooler Installation Cost Final Thoughts
A swamp cooler is a big unit and weighs around 200 pounds. It requires carpentry skills, plumbing skills and electrical skills to install.
Yet going it alone has its own challenges, to say the least.
If you want to save on cost while at the same time have the installation done in the right way, you are indeed best that you get three quotes from the local cooling company in your area to install the new swamp cooler. Do the comparison on each of them and then use your findings to pick the best one for the job.
