Technically, swamp cooler may condition the air and cool it, but its working is much different than an air conditioner.
In this write up, we shall discuss about swamp cooler Vs AC briefly.
Any standard AC units usually work by passing the air over set of coils which is filled with refrigerant like Freon that heats and cools when it is compressed and expanded.
Air will be cooled by coils and sent to your house, which will be re-circulated again and again through the machine and hot air is generated in this process and released outside.
It is a closed process and leaving your door or window open will allow the cool air to escape and will make it difficult for your AC to supply cold air.
Usually, swamp coolers are open system and rely on airflow through the building for directing the cool air. Since they will always need hot and dry air for evaporating the water, it will need to displace air already present in the house.
Both the systems may use either small window unit or large central unit, but air from swamp cooler will need a way out.
Closing and opening windows and doors will control air flow from swamp cooler to many different parts of house, while central AC will use ducts for directing the flow.
In some cases, swamp coolers may use ducts, however they will need to be little larger than any traditional AC ducts for greater air flow from swamp cooler.
Standard AC also dry all the air, water vapor condensing from cooled room because it will pass over cold coils. Water will drain outside which is the distinctive drip you will feel if you ever stand under any window AC unit long enough.
In humid climates, this is good thing. Extra amount of humidity may prevent perspiration, and that is how we can cool ourselves naturally. As swamp coolers will work by putting all the water into dry air, and they work as humidifiers.
This can be great in dry climates, as humidity is also too low for the comfort. Under right conditions water-laden breeze can also have secondary effect to help skin’s perspiration, result in cooler feel as compared to swamp cooler will give of its own.
Due to different ways they will work, you cannot run swamp cooler and standard AC in the same house. They will cancel each other, just like running dehumidifier and humidifier in the same room.