Evaporative or swamp coolers are comparatively delicate air conditioning assemblies. Therefore, a good routine of maintenance is required for their optimal performance. Since the use of evaporative coolers nearly ends in Fall, therefore it’s time when you should winterize them. Preparing your evaporative cooler for winters will extend its operational life by limiting any damages of frost and mold growth during the colder months.
In some simple steps, you can shut down your evaporative cooler for winters to preserve its performance for the next summer.
Shut if off Completely
First thing first—shut off your evaporative cooler completely. Instead of just turning it off, unplug its power cord and spiral it so that it can’t be accidentally turned on during the winter season. Moreover, it is always safe to unplug any electrical device before starting its cleaning or repairing.
Turn off the Water Valve
As we know, water is considered as the refrigerant of evaporative coolers. Some heavy-duty evaporative coolers consume gallons of water a day to provide cool and moist air. Therefore, most of the evaporative coolers are supplied with water connections. 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. Science tells us that water expands when it freezes. This liquid expansion within the cooler can result in the deformation of its body. It is advised to leave the drain open for a couple of days so that the cooler pan is dried completely.
Check the Pipes as Well
It is also recommended to check the piping of your cooler for any remaining water. Left out water in the pipes also freezes during winters and can result in their ruptures and leaks. If you have a blow dryer then you can use it to dry off the pipes.
Have a Fresh Water Rinse of Cooler Pan
First of all, empty the cooler pan or tank completely by opening the drain. Hardware tools present in your home can be used to open the drain. With time, a buildup of minerals and other sediments accumulate at the bottom of the cooler pan. To ensure that rust doesn’t eat away the pan during winter, rinse it with fresh water and then dry it with a piece of cloth to ensure that no mold and mildew grow in the tank during offseason.
Replace the Cooler Pads
Many people replace their evaporative cooler pads before the start of summer. But a better practice is to replace them when you are shutting off your cooler for winter because expended cooler pads catalyze the rusting of louvers of evaporative coolers.
Cover the Cooler
Finally, cover your evaporative cooler. By covering it, you can ensure that no air is entering the interior during winters and disturbing your comfort. You can ask about good cover options from any good air conditioning services in your area.