Just replaced my old swamp cooler with a mini-split and wish I'd done it years ago

I went back and forth for about two months last spring on whether to stick with my old swamp cooler or switch to a mini-split. The swamp cooler was 15 years old and starting to make noise, but it still worked okay. I was worried about the upfront cost of the mini-split - around $4,200 installed. But after this July and August, I'm glad I made the switch. The electricity bill was about $60 less per month than what the swamp cooler used to cost me, plus the house stays a consistent 74 degrees even during those 100 degree days. No more worrying about humidity or leaving windows open. Has anyone else made this switch and noticed a big difference in comfort?

2 comments

2 Comments

anna_hill1mo ago

Nah, I gotta disagree a bit here. Those numbers don't add up for my situation. I ran a swamp cooler for years and my electric bill was maybe $40-$50 in the dead of summer. Mini-splits I've seen around here push that closer to $80-$100 easy. Plus you gotta factor in the install cost. That $4,200 pays for a lot of swamp cooler repairs and extra water bills. My old one kept the house at 72 no problem on 105 degree days, just had to crack a window.

iris_mason881mo ago

wait $60 less per MONTH? holy crap that's way more than I would've guessed. I had a swamp cooler years ago and just assumed the mini-splits would be more expensive to run honestly. guess I gotta start looking into these for real now.