How can you tell if your swamp cooler / evaporative cooler needs replacing?
Swamp coolers, like any cooling and heating system, run into some problems after a while. And like most things in life, swamp coolers need regular maintenance in order to continue running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Rakeman wanted to share some tips on swamp cooler routine maintenance and how to know if your swamp cooler needs replacing or repairs.
But first, what is a swamp cooler, and how does it work?
What Is a Swamp Cooler?
A swamp cooler, also known as an “evaporative cooler“, is simply another way to keep your beautiful Las Vegas home cool during the summertime, rather than a traditional A/C system.
But why choose a swamp cooler over an A/C system? What is the difference?
Well for starters, swamp coolers release humidified air, whereas an A/C unit does not. This is not necessarily a bad thing though for those of us living in very dry climates.
For a dry climate such as Las Vegas, the humid air coming out of a swamp cooler can be a bonus for comfort. That means easier breathing, and moist clear skin- it will no longer dry out and overheat!
Swamp coolers are also crazily energy-efficient which means lower costs to cool your home, and are great for dry climates like that of Las Vegas!
Heres how it works.
Swamp coolers use moisture to cool. It works by taking the warm air from outside, bringing it through wet evaporative cooler pads, to then create and release cool air into your home.
Here’s an awesome diagram from Landmark Home Warranty:
As you can tell, the main reason swamp coolers are so energy efficient and economical is due to the fact that they operate with a basic design. Evaporative coolers have few electronic components!
Because of this, routine maintenance on these machines is much more common and more important, in order to keep this machinery running smoothly.
How To Know If Your Swamp Cooler Needs Replacing or Repairs
1. Your Swamp Cooler Isn’t Starting or Has No Air Flow
If your swamp cooler isn’t starting or isn’t producing great airflow, typically means that the issue is very rarely the result of mechanical failure.
The most common reason your swamp cooler may not be starting, or producing good airflow is because of a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse on the swamp cooler, which is installed by the manufacturer to prevent damage to the unit.
If the fuse is blown, you will certainly want to call the experts at Rakeman Air to have it replaced.
In some cases, the breaker can also trip, causing the system to fail to start. Inspecting the wiring for signs of damage can resolve the problem. But of course, don’t attempt this all on your lonesome!
You will want one of the professional technicians from Rakeman Air to do this for you.
2. There Are Weird Odors Coming From The Unit
Maybe you have a strange odor coming from your swamp cooler unit?
A strange odor coming from the unit can be caused by stagnant water or mildew. Probably doesn’t smell very pretty does it?
Therefore this is not a problem you want to ignore or procrastinate on.
You will want to call one of the technicians from Rakeman Air to diagnose the cause of the problem. Our technicians will decide what kind of cleaning your swamp cooler needs!
Once everything is running smell-free again, plan on booking your maintenance check in the Fall to avoid future smelly-incidences.
3. The Airflow Isn’t Working Right
Improper airflow can be quite the problem, right? Obviously, you want the best cool airflow coming from your swamp cooler because otherwise it’s not doing the one job it’s supposed to!
This is often by a blockage in the exhaust ducts.
Most swamp/evaporative cooler manufacturers require that there should be an opening of about two square foot for every 1,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) supplied by the unit.
Therefore, if your airflow is not quite right, there is likely a blockage that is causing a smaller opening for the air to flow through properly.
In case the evaporative cooler does not have an exhaust, you should make sure that there is a proper opening for the unit. Call a technician at Rakeman Air to correct the problem!
4. The Swamp Cooler is Leaking
Well that’s certainly not normal, is it!?
If water dripping from the cooler isn’t a sign that the unit needs repairs, we don’t know what is!
There are a few reasons why the water might be dripping so much.
Most often, it is due to improper storage of the cooling unit during the winter. Did you know you even had to store your swamp cooler in the winter months?
It’s okay, most of us don’t know that!
So yes, make sure that you store the unit properly. during the winter. Before you store your swamp cooler for the winter, make sure to winterize it first.
Drain the unit, remove the pads, and clean the tank. Then store your swamp cooler in a covered, dry area until temperatures begin to rise again in the summer!
Rakeman Air offers professional Spring and Fall Maintenance when you bring your swamp cooler back out for the summer, as well as swamp cooler shutdown and swamp cooler startup services in Las Vegas, Nevada!
Rakeman Air Swamp Cooler Services in Las Vegas
If you are having any of the above problems with your swamp/evaporative, consider calling a professional and licensed technician from Wagner to inspect your unit.
We suggest having performance checks done on your swamp coolers at least twice a year.
During one of Rakeman Air’s performance checks, the technician will make a thorough inspection to ensure everything is in good working condition. Regular maintenance will ensure optimal cooling efficiency.
This will also reduce the likelihood of future costly repairs and maintenance.
Don’t get caught without cool air from your swamp cooler when you need it the most. Turn to Rakeman Air the second your swamp cooler starts to go on the fritz.
We provide effective and reputable swamp cooler/evaporative cooler services so you can feel cozy regardless of the Vegas temperatures.
We can help by providing you with 24/7 emergency service. When you choose us, you can get the service you need when you need it, rather than having to procrastinate repairs until they fit in your schedule.
We can also provide any additional services you might need while we’re there. Whether that be a performance check, a coil cleaning, or even if you want to look into a new energy-efficient heat pump! We’d be happy to.
With the wide range of air and heating services we offer, we are confident we can meet your needs and provide you with efficient and pleasing results.
So give us a call today to book the Best Swamp Cooler Services in Las Vegas! We’ll see you soon.
For more information about the services we offer, head to our services page.
Written by: Leah Roberts
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