Swamp coolers are great appliances for dry climates like the one in Albuquerque but to provide a whole summer of cool air, a regular schedule of maintenance is vital. A swamp cooler without proper maintenance often develops mold and the motor can age prematurely. Proper maintenance at the beginning of the season, during the summer and then before winter comes can keep a swamp cooler running smoothly for many years.
Five Compelling Reasons to Maintain Your Swamp Cooler Properly
A swamp cooler is a simple device that can last for as long as two decades. But if it isn’t functioning well, your entire home can suffer the consequences. Here are the five top reasons to keep your unit well-maintained:
- Animal debris and dust can accumulate in your swamp cooler, especially in the off-season, and then be blown into your home.
- Mold can grow on evaporative pads and make your interior atmosphere musty.
- Proper lubrication at regular intervals reduces wear and tear and helps the unit last longer.
- Water leaking from the cooler can damage your roof or make its way into your attic or your home’s interior, resulting in mold growth inside your home.
- Proper servicing in the spring helps your swamp cooler run at optimum efficiency which can save you money all summer long!
Regular Cooler Inspections Alert You to Repairs That Are Needed
If you don’t want to do your own repairs, you can easily perform regular inspections that tell you when it’s time to call a company that services swamp coolers. Disconnect the power from the unit, open it up and look for these problems:
- Any visible mold growth or a moldy smell
- Water leaks inside the cooler or draining to the outside
- Torn, frayed or dirty evaporative pads
- Cracked or worn fan belt
- Kinked, damaged or corroded water or electrical lines
When my technicians service swamp coolers at the beginning of the hot season, they check for all these and many other points of efficient operation. We have all the parts, tools and knowledge to put your swamp cooler in great shape to give you the coldest possible air over the summer.
How to Care for Your Evaporative Pads for Fresher Air and Longer Life
Take note: If your community has hard water, you will probably need to change the evaporative pads more often. Nearly all communities in New Mexico have hard water—some have very hard water! Plan on changing the pads at the beginning of the warm season and then again midway through the summer.
Additionally, if you ever notice that the air coming from your swamp cooler is getting musty, stale or even fishy, change out those pads right away.
Here’s a cost-saving tip: If you buy high-quality pads, they can usually be cleaned and replaced as long as they are not cracked or damaged in any way. Take them out of the cooler, let them dry fully and then soak them in a 50% water-50% white vinegar solution for just a minute or two. Let them dry completely and then reinstall them. Whenever you remove these pads, be sure to also clean inside the filter compartment with soapy water.
Rocketman Helps with Maintenance and Winterizing of Your Swamp Cooler
Many of our customers count on us to get them up and running in the spring and then to return in the fall to drain the cooler, disconnect the motor, clean the filters and then cover the unit up. With our service, you can be sure that no maintenance steps are missed so your swamp cooler can run efficiently for as long as 15 or even 20 years!
Call Rocketman Plumbing to schedule an inspection, repair or routine maintenance visit for your swamp cooler! Call (505) 243-1227.