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why does my swamp cooler smell fishy

by Shaniya Spinka Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Why Does My Swamp Cooler Smell Fishy?

  • The Root of Fishy Odors in Swamp Coolers. Swamp coolers are composed of various parts that use water to produce cool temperatures. ...
  • Check the Water. Another potential source of the fishy smell may be the actual water in the swamp cooler’s reservoir.
  • Considering the Dangers of Fishy Smells and Swamp Coolers. ...
  • Alternatives to Swamp Coolers. ...

The cooling pads, which are typically saturated with water to produce cooling, may have developed mold and / or mildew. When the system runs, it may be emitting this fishy or moldy smell, as a result. This is especially common if you have been running the swamp cooler constantly, and water has been continuously used.Aug 10, 2021

Full Answer

Why does my swamp cooler smell?

The swamp cooler is made up of basic parts, including a tray where the majority of the water gathers. This will most likely be dirty with accumulated mold if your swamp cooler is smelly. Use a cloth to wipe it to remove loose dirt at first.

Why does my water cooler smell like fish?

You’ve probably been running your cooler non-stop throughout the summer, so you constantly have water running through the cooler. Bacteria is usually the culprit of the bad fishy smell and the last thing you want to do is introduce that into your family’s home.

How do you keep a swamp cooler from smelling bad?

It can also prevent mold from growing. A few drops of lavender oil and lemon juice can also be used. There are also some other commercial deodorizers or fragrant oils which you can purchase and use in the swamp cooler. Another effective way to prevent bad odors from arising is to change the pads inside the swamp cooler.

Why do my pads smell like fish?

Bacteria is usually the culprit of the bad fishy smell and the last thing you want to do is introduce that into your family’s home. The only way to completely eliminate the fishy smell if it is overwhelming may be to replace your pads. But we do have a couple of other tips that may help reduce the smell listed below.

How do I get rid of the fish smell in my swamp cooler?

Ways to Help Deodorize Your Swamp CoolerPurchase a swamp cooler deodorizer – You can purchase a swamp cooler deodorizer to place in your swamp cooler from most home improvement stores. ... Let your pads dry – If the temperatures are easing a bit you may want to run your cooler with the fan only to allow the pads to dry.

Why does a cooler smell like fish?

The most common reason for a fishy odor is usually bacteria or mold build-up and microscopic algae. All of these come from spores in the air that find their way on air currents into the unit. Cleaning the unit will usually remove the fishy odor resulting from the growth of these spores.

Why does my evaporative cooler smell?

You may not be aware but evaporative coolers collect a lot of dust and pollen. This build-up of dirt and grime clogs up the unit and blocks the filter pads, causing musty smell problems, lower efficiency level and much less cooling effect throughout the house.

Can I run vinegar through my swamp cooler?

Add a cup of vinegar to the cooler pan and let the vinegar cycle through the system for up to an hour. This will eliminate odors, mold, mildew and some corrosion, calcium deposits and other types of build-up. Repeat one to two times a season or as needed.

Can I put bleach in my swamp cooler?

Bleach is one of the most common household cleaning chemicals, but it is not a good choice for your swamp cooler. Bleach should never be used in an evaporative cooler as it can damage the pans and possibly void your warranty. We recommend a cleaning solution made from a mix of vinegar and water.

Can you get sick from a swamp cooler?

Can evaporative coolers transmit the disease? Properly maintained evaporative coolers will not transmit the disease because they produce no aerosols. Evaporative air coolers should not be confused with cooling towers or evaporative condensers, which involve different technology.

How do you keep a swamp cooler fresh?

Spring and Summer Maintenance If you use a swamp cooler often during the hotter months, it's important to clean it regularly: Always clean it before startup. Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth every few weeks. Don't clean the unit with any surface cleaners, chemicals or solvents – warm water is sufficient.

How often should you clean evaporative cooler?

STEP #3: Check And Clean The Cooling Pads No matter what type of evap cooling pads your system has, it is important to clean them at least once a month. Clean the evap cooler pads at least once a month. If you don't clean them more often, they can cause bad smells.

How do you clean an air cooler?

How To Clean Air Cooler At HomeStep 1: Remove The Panel/Cooling Pads. Firstly, remove the panel or cooling pads of your air cooler. ... Step 2: Clean Cooling Pads. ... Step 3: Drain The Water And Clean. ... Step 4: Wipe The Interiors With A Wet Cloth. ... Step 5: Reassemble All The Parts.

The Root of Fishy Odors in Swamp Coolers

Swamp coolers are composed of various parts that use water to produce cool temperatures. These machines work best in hot temperatures, and as a result, they are susceptible to bacteria and mold, which can be abundant in conditions involving heat and water.

Check the Water

Another potential source of the fishy smell may be the actual water in the swamp cooler’s reservoir. If the water has not been changed in some time, it may have begun to develop bacteria or fungus, which can be contributing to the foul odor.

Considering the Dangers of Fishy Smells and Swamp Coolers

While foul smells are certainly unpleasant, you should definitely consider the sanitary implications of such a cycle. Swamp coolers may be effective in the short term, but they are not the best long-term cooling system because of their propensity to produce bacteria, mold, and fungus.

Alternatives to Swamp Coolers

If you still cannot manage to get rid of the fishy smell after troubleshooting, you may want to reconsider your use of a swamp cooler in exchange for a more modern evaporative cooling fan.

What does a swamp cooler smell like?

A swamp cooler is one of the best and cost effective ways to keep your home cool during summers. But sometimes, you may have notice the swamp coolers smell like fish or sometimes the swamp cooler can smell like burning. Why is this?

Why do swamp coolers work?

A properly-serviced swamp cooler can not only save you money on your utilities but can also keep you very healthy during the summer months where air conditioning dries out the air in your house. In fact air conditioners can cause nose bleedings in the morning sometimes because they air conditioners are running. And as you know, air conditioning is designed to remove all the moisture from your home. That’s why evaporative cooling is such a popular way of staying cool here in the summer.

Why is Aspen wood used as a filter?

The reason this is such an excellent cooling material about 83% of your synthetic filter medium is because Aspen wood when it gets wet swells up. So this filter media will actually swell up to twice the size that it is.

How often should I service swamp coolers?

But we do very little to maintain the one thing in our house that keeps us comfortable. Well, in my opinion, swamp coolers need twice a year service.

Can you see someone standing on the other side of a swamp cooler?

So you shouldn’t be able to see the person standing on the other side. You may see a little light, but that’s shows the density of this filter medium. A dense swamp cooler is recommended for optimum cooling for your basic evaporative cooler or swamp cooler.

How to make a swamp cooler smell good?

Swamp coolers need to have moisture in them, so you need to add some fresh, clean water for it to operate. Ideally, in order to make up for any odors which might end up arising over time, you should add a few drops of tea tree oil, which can help reduce the accumulation of bacteria and the subsequent bad odors.

How to clean a swamp cooler?

Use a cloth to wipe it to remove loose dirt at first. Then, apply some clean water mixed with vinegar. Use another clean cloth or sponge to scrub the more persistent stains and dirt patches you might find. The vinegar will also help reduce the unpleasant smells.

What is swamp cooler?

A swamp cooler is an alternative system to the more costly air conditioner. Basically, a swamp cooler has damp pads and a pump. The pump propels air into the room and then generates additional humidity which causes the temperature in the room to cool down. For the best results, it is important to make sure that you maintain ...

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