Evaporative cooling is generally the cheaper option to run. This is because evaporative cooling systems use less energy than split systems, as they rely on natural air flow and evaporation to cool the air. Additionally, evaporative cooling systems require less maintenance than split systems, as they have fewer moving parts and require less frequent servicing. However, evaporative cooling systems are not suitable for all climates, as they require a certain level of humidity to operate effectively. Split systems, on the other hand, are more expensive to run, but they are more suitable for all climates and require less maintenance.