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Hybrid swamp coolers target Arizona’s rising heat demand

8/19/2026

47 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Oscar Palmer perfected the first evaporative swamp cooler in Arizona in 1908.
Eric Verpolegen of CoolVeg says evaporative cooling works best in very dry Arizona.
Ankit Kalanki says swamp coolers are low-cost, low-energy where climate permits and that innovators are creating hybrid units that add humidity control.
Eric Verpolegen warns heat creates a vicious circle of higher cooling demand, more energy use and greater greenhouse-gas emissions.

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Story summary

Oscar Palmer perfected the first evaporative swamp cooler in Arizona in 1908.
Eric Verpolegen of CoolVeg says evaporative cooling works best in very dry Arizona.
Ankit Kalanki says swamp coolers are low-cost, low-energy where climate permits and that innovators are creating hybrid units that add humidity control.
Eric Verpolegen warns heat creates a vicious circle of higher cooling demand, more energy use and greater greenhouse-gas emissions.