Home Depot – Low Tech – Yes, which means low operating price and low purchase price.  Air Conditioners suck up a lot of power and they dry your nose out.  Have you had a nose bleed lately?  We bought one of these and found out it has enough airflow to blow right through a screen door and still work just fine.  You can put it outside and it can stay outside, and if you really want you can put it inside, you can fill it with ice.  Stay Cool Baby!
Hessaire – 3,100 CFM 3-Speed Portable Evaporative Cooler (Swamp Cooler) for 950 sq. ft. – $379

5 REASONS why I use an EVAPORATIVE cooler and not a Air Conditioner in summer time – Great video – Thank you Vegas RoManiac

Yes, it does depend on where you live and in Las Vegas and southern California swamp coolers are cool on your electric bill too!