How to set up Swamp Cooler for summer?
We all know what summers bring for us, all these summer months would be hot and dry. As you get ready to run your evaporative cooler nonstop to maintain a comfortable temperature, there are some basic steps to get your unit prepared for the summer season.
8 Easy and Basic Steps to Get a Swamp Cooler Ready for Summer
Same as there are some steps to follow to get your swamp cooler ready for the winter season, you will definitely have to take steps to prepare it for the summer as well. Each of these steps is important, and you must not skip anything.
De-Winterize
Even before you get your swamp cooler ready for the summer, you will have to de-winterize it and that would be the first step to preparing it for summer. Previously you may have used any cover or even a tarp on your unit in order to protect it from the cold weather. This cover will have to be removed before you prepare it for summer. It would be a good time to examine it for any sort of holes or rips. In case you see any damage, you must get a new one in anticipation of next winter.
Remove the Casing of the Cooler
For this step, all three sides of your swamp cooler must be removed. You can look for any clips that were previously used to keep the panels in their place. Many times, the clips are rotated in such a way that they can be released. Always try to make sure that you note where each panel exactly is so that you can get them back on later.
Clean the Inside of the Unit
In case you have already covered your unit during the winter, there must not be a lot of things to clean. You can simply wipe it all down with the help of mildly soapy water. In case your swamp cooler was uncovered for any reason, you will have to use a shop-vac to get all those dead leaves and other debris that can be is found around the vents and chambers. Any sort of wet rag can also be used in order to get the dust that has already settled into the corners and hard-to-reach areas. A descaling agent that is appropriate for evaporative coolers may need to be used, specifically if there is a considerable amount of mineral buildup in your swamp cooler.
Replace the Filter
The filter must typically be replaced after every year. You may choose to replace it during both the winterization and the de-winterization process as per your convenience. In case you have already replaced it and the filter is still in good condition, you can then leave it alone. If you have not replaced it in a longer time, you will have to replace it. If not changed, the minerals in the water will harden the filter, which would make it hard to absorb the water as needed.
Connect the Water Hose
Previous to the cold weather approaching, you may have already disconnected the water line to avoid any sort of issues. After that, you will have to get the hose connected back to the water supply valve as well as the cooler unit. You will have to use pliers to get a tight fight. Along with that, you may have to secure the drain plug so that you don’t encounter a water leak.
Inspect for Leaks
After you have got water running through the system properly, you may look for any sort of leaks along with the waterline as well as inside of the cooler pan. In case a pipe is somehow punctured or broken, you might notice water right away. Any sort of smaller leaks may not be easy to detect leaking swamp cooler. You may also have to properly adjust the drain plug tighter in case you notice water in the pan. Also in case you find that water is overflowing in the pan, you may have to adjust the float valve. Even if adjusting does not take care of the problem, the valve may need to be replaced before you begin the use of this machine.
In the process of inspecting for any leaks, you must also check for any sort of rust. It would also be a good idea to check the belt that turns the motor. In case you see any cracks, you must think about replacing the belt so that it doesn’t snap as the weather gets hotter.
Run a Complete Systems Check
You will have to run the swamp cooler to make sure that everything is running properly and that it is throwing enough cool air. You may have to lubricate the motor by adding some oil. After that, you will have to fill the water tank and reconnect the power supply. Always make sure that your water pump is working in a proper way and wetting the pads appropriately. Always make sure that the blower is working and can be adjusted accordingly. You can also use the thermostat to make sure that a desirable temperature is being achieved within minutes of everything running.
If by any chance you notice that anything is leaking or not working the way it should work, there comes a time to call a professional. After all, it’s better to get your unit summer-ready now so that you can get repairs completed before the hottest days arrive.
Replace the Casing
After you have checked everything and the system is running properly, you might have to reassemble the cooler just by snapping the panels back into their place. In case any clips break, you will want to replace them. In another case, the internal workings of your cooler will be exposed to too many elements.
Swamp Cooler Sizes
When swamp coolers are concerned there are many different sizes of commercial swamp cooler available, but you might be thinking that how big or small they can be. You may also wonder how big the cooling area can be for different sized evaporative cooling units.
Well, evaporative Coolers range in size based on cubic feet per minute (CFM) as small as 700 CFM up to 8,000 CFM. The dimensions of the smallest unit are 38.5 x 19.5 x 11.5 inches. The larger 8,000 CFM unit dimensions are 68 x 51 x 28 inches. Larger units are available up to 20,000 CFM, which could cool up to 4,000 square feet of space. An evaporative cooler has different dimensions based on the amount of CFM and the space it can efficiently cool. According to the manufacturer, there are various swamp coolers on the market and their specific dimensions.
- 700 CFM — This unit is about 38.5 x 19.5 x 11.5 inches. It can cool up to 350 square feet.
- 1,000 CFM — This unit is about 24 x 24 x 15 inches. It can cool up to 610 square feet.
- 1,300 CFM — This unit is about 28 x 22 x 12 inches. It can cool up to 500 square feet.
- 2,000 CFM — This unit is about 31 x 25 x 24 inches. It can cool 500 square feet.
- 3,700 CFM — This unit is about 37 x 17 x 25 inches. It can cool up to 950 square feet.
- 4,000 CFM — This unit is about 45 x 28 x 17 inches. It can cool up to 1,500 square feet.
- 8,000 CFM — This unit is about 68 x 51 x 28 inches. It can cool up to 2,100 square feet.
