If you’re growing plants indoors, you know how important it is to keep your grow room at just the right temperature and humidity. When summer heat kicks in, things can get pretty toasty in there. If you’re growing in a hot, dry climate, your cannabis could really struggle during this season. You might be wondering if you can use a swamp cooler in your grow room. The short answer is yes, but it depends on your exact situation and whether other air conditioning options could work better. Read on to explore the key factors to consider when making this decision.
How Swamp Coolers Work
Swamp coolers (which are also called evaporative coolers) work by pulling warm air through water-soaked pads. As the water evaporates, it cools the air that gets blown into your space. They’re great for hot, dry climates because they add moisture to the air as they cool.
Why Swamp Coolers Can Be Problematic in Grow Rooms
Here’s where things get tricky for grow rooms. Cannabis plants require specific humidity levels that change throughout their growth cycles. Since swamp coolers add humidity while they cool, they can throw off your carefully balanced growing conditions.
When Swamp Coolers Make Sense
Now, you might actually need a swamp cooler if your cannabis plants are currently suffering from a climate that’s too hot and too dry. Consider the following factors that indicate an evaporative cooler could be a good fit:
- You live in a dry climate (under 30 percent humidity).
- Your grow room has excellent ventilation.
- You can monitor humidity levels constantly.
If your plants need more humidity and lower temperatures, a swamp cooler can provide both in a healthy way. Just make sure you know what to look for when buying a swamp cooler and that your grow room features enough airflow to prevent excess moisture.
Alternatives To Consider
All of this said, for most grow rooms, traditional air conditioning is usually the best choice. AC units remove moisture from the air while cooling, which gives you better control over the environment. If you need more moisture in the room, you can simply set up a humidifier.
You can also look into exhaust fans, intake fans, or specialized grow room cooling systems.
Keep Your Cannabis Happy
Yes, you can use a swamp cooler in your grow room, but it’s not always the best choice. The added humidity can create more problems than the cooling benefits are worth. But if your climate is extremely hot and dry, the system could be just what you need! Take time to do more research and choose a cooling system that supports your plants’ requirements rather than working against them.
