Efficacy of 2 cooling systems, (Korral Kool, KK; Korral Kool Inc., Mesa, AZ, FlipFan dairy system, FF; Schaefer Ventilation Equipment LLC, Sauk Rapids, MN) was estimated utilizing 4 hundred multiparous Holstein dairy cows randomly assigned to one of 4 cooled California style shade pens (2 shade pens per cooling system). Each shaded pen contained 100 cows (DIM = 58 ± 39 d, milk production = 56 ± 18 kg/day and lactation = 3 ± 1). Production data (milk yield and reproductive performance) were collected during 4 mo (May–August, 2013) and physiological responses (core body temperature, respiration rates, skin temperatures and resting time) were measured, in June and July to estimate responses of cows to the 2 different cooling systems. Water and electricity consumption were recorded for each system. Cows in the KK system displayed slightly lower respiration rates in the month of June (P < 0.05) and lower skin temperatures in June and July (P < 0.05). However, no differences were observed in the core body temperature of cows, resting time, DMI, milk yield, services/cow and conception rate between systems. The FF system utilized less water and electricity during this study (P < 0.05). In conclusion, both cooling systems (KK and FF) were effective in mitigating the negative effects of heat stress on cows housed in arid environments while the FF system consumed less water and electricity and did not require use of curtains on the shade structure.