Evaporative coolers can be an ideal substitute for air conditioners in climates that typically have low humidity because these types of coolers rely on the principle of cooling through evaporation. Any climate which is already excessively humid will cause the swamp cooler to be much less effective. However, if you live in the hot, dry area of the country, you will appreciate the fact that swamp coolers can be installed for roughly half the price of an air conditioner, and they only require about 25% of the power used by an air conditioner, so they can be an extremely energy-efficient option for cooling.
How Do Swamp Coolers Cool Down Warm Air?
The way swamp coolers produce cool air is much different than the way an air conditioner operates. After drawing in outdoor air, it is passed over pads, which are saturated with water, and this causes the water to evaporate into it. This cooled air is generally somewhere between 15° and 40°F cooler than the air, which was taken in. Warmer air is then expelled through open windows in the house, which means it will be necessary to have some opened partway for this very purpose.
There’s another difference between swamp coolers and air-conditioners with regard to the type of air that is being circulated. Because swamp coolers rely on taking in fresh air from outside and expelling warmer air back to the exterior, there’s always a steady flow of fresh air throughout the household. As opposed to air-conditioners, which recirculate the same air all the time, this can provide a more refreshing indoor air quality to the household.
What are the Most Common Reasons for Why an Evaporative Cooler Stops Cooling?
There are several reasons why an evaporative cooler may stop blowing cold air, and in most cases, the unit can easily be repaired so it can be operational again. One of the most common reasons that a swamp cooler may not be providing cold air because the circuit breaker might have been tripped or the fuse could have been blown. These two operate together to ensure that your swamp cooler won’t be damaged in the case of an electrical surge.
Generally, all that’s necessary is to reset the circuit breaker and replace the fuse if it was blown. Faulty wiring is another possible cause of having no cold air. To confirm this, you’ll need to examine the wires which lead to the fuse and the circuit breaker and make sure they aren’t frayed or broken. You should also check for black spots around these areas, because this may indicate a short circuit.
It’s also possible that you might have a faulty thermostat in your unit, and it could either be set too high, or it may not be functioning properly. If it was simply set too high, all you have to do is lower the setting on the thermostat, and if the unit is faulty in some way, it may be necessary to replace it.
The one reason why you might have no cold air coming from your evaporative cooler is that there may be a low-voltage situation, causing your swamp cooler to not perform at its best. If it turns to be the case, you can correct it by installing a voltage regulator, which will ensure a steady supply of operating voltage to your unit, so it’s able to perform consistently.
How Do I Fix Common Swamp Cooling Problems?
If your swamp cooler is putting out low airflow, it could be that you don’t have sufficient exhaust arranged for proper airflow. In this condition, all that may be required is that you open windows or doors sufficiently to create enough airflow in the area. When your swamp cooler is not blowing enough cold air, the first thing you may want to check is the water system. Make sure you have enough water supplied to your swamp cooler, verify that the water pump is operating properly, and make sure the distributor is not clogged.
Keep in mind that a swamp cooler will not be effective in areas of high humidity because that doesn’t allow the evaporative process to work properly and produce cold air. When you find water dripping from your swamp cooler, this generally happens because it has been improperly stored. When you store your unit for the winter, make sure to remove the pads, drain all the water out, clean the tank, and keep it covered up during the off-season.
If the swamp cooler does not even turn on. then there is a possibility that the circuit breaker is tripped. These should be the first things you check, and if one of the two was indeed the problem, you’ll probably just have to replace the fuse and reset the circuit breaker.
What Can I Do to Prevent a Swamp Cooler Breakdown?
In order to avoid any uncomfortable downtime with your swamp cooler, you should do a few things to make sure it performs consistently and reliably. In the springtime, it’s a good idea to remove the panels and clean out any debris which may have accumulated in the water pan. Check the fan belt tension to be sure it’s in good condition, install new cooler pads, and then reconnect the water line and turn on the supply of water.
This is a good time to check the float valve to make sure it’s functioning properly, and if not, it can be adjusted simply by bending it. Switch on the motor and recirculating pump. Check if the cooler pad soaked with water.
During the middle of summer, it’s a good idea to give your unit another checkup to make sure everything is in good working order. Check the water level in the tray bottom to be sure it’s about an inch below the top of the tray, and safely below the overflow pipe. Check the float valve again, making sure it’s not sticking, and then check all other working parts, including the fan belt, the motor, and the pump. Make sure your cooler pads are clean and have no mineral deposits accumulating on them.
By doing a spring checkup and a midsummer checkup, you should be able to avoid any breakdowns during the cooling season. If you live in the valley, companies like Premier Industries can help with swamp cooler repair in Phoenix to get your equipment up and running quickly.
