Does central air conditioning use water in Calgary

No connection to a plumbing system is usually required for most cooling units installed in homes across southern Alberta. The majority run on a closed-loop refrigerant cycle. There’s no regular consumption of liquid like you’d see with, say, a humidifier or some commercial cooling towers.
That said, there’s an exception–not common in this city, but still worth mentioning. Some homes, especially older ones or certain additions in drier pockets, might rely on an evaporative setup. These do rely on moisture to function. But in this climate? Not exactly ideal. The humidity drops so low in summer that many of these units end up being inefficient–or worse, just sitting unused because the homeowners didn’t get the results they hoped for.
I’ve seen maybe one or two units like that out in Chestermere, but they’re the exception. Most homeowners are working with traditional split systems or rooftop models that use refrigerant alone. So if someone’s asking whether their setup is pulling litres from the tap every day, the answer is probably not. You might get a bit of drainage from condensation, but that’s incidental, not drawn from your water line.
What can throw people off is the sight of a small drain line near the furnace or outdoor unit. That’s just handling condensation runoff–moisture pulled from indoor air, not anything the system is actively “using.” It’s more like a byproduct. Like how your windows fog up in winter. No one thinks the window is “using” water–it’s just reacting to the environment.
In short, no monthly spike on your utility bill is coming from your cooling setup, unless you’ve got something unusual installed. And if you’re not sure? That’s what the inspection is for. A quick check from a licensed tech–someone from Calgary Air Heating and Cooling Ltd., maybe–can confirm exactly how your system runs.
How Central AC Systems Operate in Calgary’s Dry Climate

Standard refrigerant-based units function well in this region’s low humidity. They rely on pressure changes within a sealed loop to move heat out of the home, not on added moisture or any external liquid input. The outdoor component expels the heat, while the indoor part cools the circulating air–simple, contained, and dry.
No hoses to a tap. No refilling tanks. Nothing like that. Even during long hot spells, there’s no measurable draw from your plumbing system. What you might notice instead is a small PVC drain near the furnace or basement floor. That’s handling condensate–moisture pulled from indoor air as it cools–not anything introduced by the system itself.
Why Dry Air Matters
With humidity often below 40%, especially in July and August, there’s little natural moisture for passive cooling. That’s why swamp-style units–those that rely on evaporation–aren’t very common here. They need a baseline level of humidity to work well. Without it, performance drops fast. I’ve heard neighbours mention that theirs felt like it wasn’t even running. Honestly, it probably wasn’t doing much.
Adjustments for Local Conditions
Some setups here include integrated humidifiers, but that’s a separate function, usually tied to the heating side. Cooling units, as installed by Calgary Air Heating and Cooling Ltd. or similar outfits, don’t introduce moisture. If there’s any exception, it would be a hybrid or customized system–but again, rare. More often than not, you’re dealing with a dry loop designed to handle long, low-humidity summers without needing anything from your pipes.
It’s quiet, low-maintenance, and–unless something leaks–stays bone dry year-round.
Do Central Air Conditioners in Calgary Require a Water Supply Line?
No dedicated plumbing connection is needed for most cooling systems installed in residential properties here. These machines are sealed, relying on refrigerant cycles and electrical components–not a piped-in fluid source. That’s one reason installations are relatively straightforward and rarely touch existing plumbing infrastructure.
There’s sometimes confusion about this because of the small drain hose coming off the coil unit inside. That line handles condensation–the kind that forms when warm indoor air meets cold evaporator coils. It’s passive drainage. Not supply. It doesn’t pull anything from your main water lines. Nothing feeds into the system. If someone told you otherwise, they might’ve been thinking of a different appliance entirely. Maybe a humidifier or an old boiler setup. Happens.
I’ve had neighbours mention they were worried about leaks spiking their monthly bill. But the reality? The equipment isn’t connected to your supply network, so the chance of a hidden drip running up your usage is basically zero. Any leaking would more likely come from cracked insulation around the drain line or a clogged pan–not from any incoming source.
Some commercial setups, especially in industrial zones, might include evaporation towers or hybrid chillers that do need fluid input. But in detached homes or townhouses? Not really something you’re going to see. What Calgary Air Heating and Cooling Ltd. installs in homes is closed-loop. No hoses. No valves. Just electrical and refrigerant lines, plus that one little drain if needed.
If you’re staring at your unit and trying to figure out what’s connected to what, don’t overthink it. Unless you see a copper pipe tied into your water heater–or a control valve near your laundry room–it’s not pulling anything from the tap.
What Are the Water Consumption Differences Between Evaporative and Refrigerant-Based Systems?
Evaporative models rely on a continuous fluid source to function, while refrigerant-based systems do not consume any at all. The contrast is pretty sharp. One type needs to be hooked up to your plumbing–or at least manually filled–and the other stays sealed and self-contained.
On average, a standard evaporative cooler might go through 10 to 25 litres every hour during peak use. Multiply that by a few hours a day in July and August, and you’re easily pushing 300 litres daily if it’s left running. That adds up fast. And if the system includes an auto-flush cycle to keep mineral buildup down? Even more goes out the drain.
Refrigerant-based equipment doesn’t draw from any external source. It might produce a bit of runoff through condensation, but that’s incidental–no added fluid is required for operation. So you’re not going to see usage reflected on your utility bill. There’s no mechanism for fluid intake at all.
I remember a client in Silverado asking why her neighbour’s unit had a hose running to it and hers didn’t. Turns out, the neighbour had installed a portable swamp-style cooler for their garage. It was eating through buckets every few hours. Meanwhile, her house stayed cool without touching the tap. She was relieved, honestly. Didn’t even realize how different the two setups were until she saw it side-by-side.
If fluid usage is a concern–whether for cost, supply limits, or just the hassle–refrigerant-based units are the simpler option here. Especially with the climate being as dry as it is, the ones that rely on evaporation often underperform anyway. You end up using more water and still not getting the cooling you were hoping for. Feels like a bad trade-off.
Contact “Calgary Air Heating and Cooling Ltd” For More Information:
Address
95 Beaconsfield Rise NW, Calgary, AB T3K 1X3
Phone
+1 403 720-0003
Hours of operation
Open 24 hours 7 days a week