Locate the valve that controls the water supply to the cooler and turn it off by turning the handle clockwise. The valve and water line are often located somewhere where they are protected from the cold, such as in a crawl space under the house. Tracing the water line back from where it connects to the cooler will lead you to the shutoff valve.
How do I Stop my evaporative cooler from leaking water?
Cut Off Water Supply – Shutting off the water valve that leads to the evaporative cooler is the first step. We also recommend that you drain the hose that moves water in. If there is water left inside, it can freeze, causing the hose to expand and contract which can damage it and lead to leaks.
How do you winterize an evaporative cooler?
Unplug the power supply to make sure it doesn’t start up by accident in the winter. Cut Off Water Supply – Shutting off the water valve that leads to the evaporative cooler is the first step. We also recommend that you drain the hose that moves water in.
How do evaporative coolers work?
Jenschke explains evaporative coolers utilize evaporation to cool air temperature. “The liquid turns into gas when water evaporates, releasing the highest energy particles and causing the temperature to drop,” he says. “This is why your forehead feels cooler after you put a moist cloth on it on a hot day.”
Should you install an evaporative cooler in your home?
“Installing an evaporative cooler is a great way to keep indoor air fresh and cool, especially with the windows open,” says Scott Jenschke, an air circulation and accessories merchant for The Home Depot. Here’s what you need to know if you are considering this type of cooler for your home. What Is an Evaporative Cooler?
How do I turn off the water supply to my evaporative cooler?
0:502:11Evaporative Cooler Water Isolation Pre Winter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWork we need to close that by turning it 90 degrees that's now shut the water supply off to thatMoreWork we need to close that by turning it 90 degrees that's now shut the water supply off to that line we then just need to open up that tap. Which makes sure we drain all the water out of that line.
How do you turn off water to cooler?
0:130:56Turn Off Cooler - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo learn how to turn off your cooler follow these next few steps. Reach behind the cooler. And findMoreTo learn how to turn off your cooler follow these next few steps. Reach behind the cooler. And find the quarter-inch. Tube. Follow that tube to the back of the cooler where you find a shutoff valve.
Should I turn off water to swamp cooler?
Turn off the Water Valve When you are turning your swamp cooler for winters, make sure that you turn off the valve supplying water to the assembly. Any water left in the cooler can freeze during peak winters, and it might not be good for the machine.
How do you turn off a swamp cooler for the winter?
5 Easy Steps to Winterize Your Swamp CoolerUnplug the unit, cutting off the power supply. ... Turn off the water supply valve connected to the cooler and leave off until turning the unit back on in the spring. ... Drain the cooler. ... Change the cooler pads now, rather than in the spring.More items...•
How do I turn off the water valve?
0:201:43How to Find Your Water Shut-Off Valve & Use It - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMove the valve handle to a horizontal. Position older homes may have a valve like this to turn offMoreMove the valve handle to a horizontal. Position older homes may have a valve like this to turn off the water turn the valve clockwise. Until it stops.
How do I turn off the main water valve?
Shut off the water by turning the ball valve 1/4 turn to make it perpendicular to the water pipe. If the ball valve is parallel, it is ON; if it is perpendicular (90° angle), it is OFF. The water meter should also be able to tell you if you have a plumbing leak somewhere in your home.
How often should evaporative cooler dump water?
An evaporative cooler should dump water every six to 12 hours if it has a dump-style drain valve. It should also dump when it turns off. The minimum standard for dumping water is once every 24 hours.
When should I turn off my swamp cooler?
Typically, you should start thinking about turning off your swamp cooler and turning on your furnace when the nights drop below 50° and days are in the low 70°'s.
Can you leave evaporative cooling on overnight?
Using Evaporative Air Conditioning in a Heatwave You can keep it running 24/7 until the hot spell ends. You can turn the aircon on to fan only over night if the night temperatures are in the mid 20s or keep it running over night if the temperature are close to 30 degrees.
What happens if you don't winterize your swamp cooler?
It will freeze over and can cause damage to the pipelines by making it burst the pipes. In other scenarios, it can increase the chances of the pipeline getting rust around it. Excess moisture inside the swamp cooler, even if you remove the cooling pads, can create rust.
Where is the damper on a swamp cooler?
The damper is usually a sheet of metal, similar to a cookie sheet, that is installed in a slot somewhere in the duct at or near the cooler. The purpose of the damper is to close off the duct in the winter so your home doesn't lose heat.
Do I need to cover my swamp cooler in the winter?
2:554:06Getting your swamp cooler ready for winter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt. Open the cover up. Completely. And slide it over the swamp cooler. Full of cover down completelyMoreIt. Open the cover up. Completely. And slide it over the swamp cooler. Full of cover down completely around the base of the swamp cooler. And then one of the corners. You'll find a drawstring. It
How to make an evaporative cooler last longer?
This also helps your evaporative cooler to last longer. Here’s what you should do: Shut It Off – Don’t just turn it off. Unplug the power supply to make sure it doesn’t start up by accident in the winter. Cut Off Water Supply – Shutting off the water valve that leads to the evaporative cooler is the first step.
Why are swamp coolers so common?
Evaporative coolers (sometimes known as swamp coolers) are really common in our area because the typically-dry air actually makes them an ideal cooling installation. With too much humidity in the air, they won’t work properly, but in our climate, they tend to be efficient, durable, and the ideal cooling installation.
Why does my water hose freeze?
If there is water left inside, it can freeze, causing the hose to expand and contract which can damage it and lead to leaks. Many people recommend blowing in it to drain it. Drain and Clean the Tank – Now you’ll have to drain the tank which should have a drain located at the bottom.
How to clean a water cooler?
Turn off the evaporative cooler and unplug it. Open the front panel and remove the water tank. Empty the water tank, fill it with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water, and let it sit for an hour or two. Then, empty the tank, rinse it with clean water, and wipe it down with a damp sponge. You should do this every three days when the cooler is in operation.
How does an evaporative cooler work?
Instead of cycling a refrigerant through a closed system of tubing, however, an evaporative cooler drips water through a fibrous pad, and as the water evaporates, it cools the air around the pad, and the cooled air is circulated into the living space by a blower. Evaporative coolers come in many sizes, ranging from small portable and window units to wall-mount and rooftop systems that can cool a whole house.
Why do evaporative coolers need to be recirculating?
Because it circulates water, which is the number-one ingredient for mold and mildew growth, an evaporative cooler needs more maintenance than an air conditioning system. Continuously pumping fresh water into the cooler and draining it away would be a colossal waste of water, so most units have drain pans fitted with recirculating pumps that recycle the water that collects in the pan. One of the most common complaints about evaporative coolers is that they circulate musty air, and this is invariably due to microbes getting a foothold in the drain pan, which is pretty much to be expected when you leave a pan of water standing in hot temperatures.
Why is my drain pan overflowing?
If the pan is overfull, it's probably because the bleeder drain is blocked by calcium deposits from hard water. Clean the pan and the hoses with vinegar. The pads may also be partially blocked by hard water deposits, which impedes airflow. If so, immerse them in a lemon juice solution to dissolve the deposits.
How to get rid of musty smell in swamp cooler?
Prevent musty smells by deodorizing the cooler with a commercial swamp cooler deodorizer. Use the product you purchase according to directions.
How to clean a cooler pad?
Remove the cooler pads (there may be more than one) and immerse them in a solution of water and lemon juice for about a minute. This dissolves mineral deposits left on the pads by hard water. You can also use a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water but the vinegar may leave an odor. Let the pads air dry completely before replacing them. Do this once a month.
Do swamp coolers need to be cleaned?
Most of the swamp cooler maintenance tasks are the same as those for portable units, but they have drain pans, drain hoses, and water supply lines that aren't removable and have to be cleaned in place. The cooling pads are removable, though, so you can clean those the same way you clean the pads for portable units.
How to shut down a cooler?
How to shut down your cooler: Freeze Warning! These are the steps you should take to winterize your cooler. (The first three steps are from the ground and will help minimize any free ze damage.) Step 1: Turn off the water to the cooler. There is a copper (usually) waterline, about the diameter of a pencil, that runs from the cooler to ...
How long does it take for a water cooler to drain?
Your cooler will automatically drain 3-4 hours after power-off, or you can follow the steps below. The rest of the steps listed below require roof access. See Step 6 regarding draining. Step 4: Disconnect the waterline at the cooler.
How to drain a BreezAir cooler?
On BreezAir coolers with auto drains, do not remove the drain. Instead, drain the cooler by pushing the drain button on a remote controlled BreezAir cooler. For BreezAir EXV series coolers with a wall control, turn off the cooler, then press the up and down arrows at the same time for about 5 seconds. Your stat will flash “dr”.
How to loosen copper lines?
Copper lines can usually be loosened with a small adjustable wrench and a ½” wrench. If you can't get it loose from the spigot adaptor, at least do the next step to minimize any freeze danger. Step 3: Turn on your cooler at the thermostat. Set the cooler to run in the cool mode with the pump on.
How to figure out how much air to cool an evaporative cooler?
Calculate the minimum CFM you need by determining the cubic feet of space you want to cool (length in feet x width in feet x height in feet = cubic feet) and multiply that total by the number of times you want the air to turn over in an hour.
What are the parts of an evaporative cooler?
Evaporative coolers are made up of four essential parts: a fan, a water tank, filter pads (sometimes called media) and an internal motor. The motor pulls warm air through a wet internal filter pad, where the evaporation process quickly ...
How Much Do Evaporative Coolers Cost?
Evaporative coolers can cost less than $100 for small portable models to around $1,500 for down or side discharge models powerful enough to cool an entire home. “Some municipalities offer rebates of up to $250 for the purchase of a whole-house unit through your utility provider,” Jenschke says.
What is an evaporative cooler cover?
Evaporative cooler covers: These protect outdoor evaporative cooler units from the elements when not in use. Motors: Some large down- or side-discharge units are sold separately from the motor. Most can accommodate a one-half, three-quarters or one horsepower motor, based on your cooling needs.
What is a down draft cooler?
Outdoor evaporative coolers called down discharge (or down draft) coolers are designed to be installed on the roof and can cool an entire home. Side discharge (or side draft) coolers are designed to cool the whole house. They are typically installed on the side of a building, although some models can also be installed on the roof.
How many square feet can a portable cooler cool?
Larger models can cool spaces from 500 to up to 3,000 square feet, according to Jenschke. Indoor evaporative coolers designed to fit a window or wall opening are ideal ...
Which is better, central air conditioning or evaporative cooler?
More environmentally friendly and affordable than central air conditioning, evaporative coolers may be a better way to beat the heat in your home.
Check the Evaporative Cooler at the Start of Every Season
Before you turn on your evaporative cooling unit, ensure that you conduct a pre-season examination to confirm that it is in good working condition and that it does not have any residual deposits.
Safe to Use Cleaning Products
Regular maintenance leads to fewer repairs and better performance of your evaporative cooling unit. However, you can always keep your machine water fresh and deposits free with cleaning products such as:
Regular Maintenance
Use Quality Pads The quality of cooler pads you use on your evaporative cooling unit determines your coolant’s ability to prevent deposit accumulation. Quality pads will only need to be changed seasonally, although this can vary depending on how hard your water is.
Possible Damages You Should Look to Avoid in Your Evaporative Cooler
Clogged Water Distribution Lines Sometimes hard water builds up in your cooling unit distribution line and reduces water flow to the pads.
