If your unit lacks a thermostat, allow your pump to run a few minutes before turning on the fan. This saturates the cooler pads. But these two systems operate very differently. Understanding the difference can help you get the most out of your system and minimize wasted energy. Evaporative coolers cool air by filtering it through water, thus lowering its temperature.
Evaporative coolers produce humid air because the air absorbs water during the cooling process.
These systems work best when a small amount of outside air circulates into the home while the cooler is on. Central air conditioners, on the other hand, work by taking humidity out of the home. These systems produce cold, dry air and work best in an airtight home. If you have both an evaporative cooler and central air unit, do not run them at the same time. Doing so would cause the two systems to work against each other.