Why is my swamp cooler blowing dirt?

Clogged Water Distribution Lines
If the evaporative cooling unit pads don’t get enough moisture, its blower will eventually blow hot air into your home. Therefore, you should remove hard water buildup every season to maintain a well-functioning cooler.

Can you get sick from a dirty swamp cooler?





A well-maintained unit won’t make you sick. The key is maintenance. Your cooler should get fresh water every three to four weeks to prevent stagnation and bad odors. The pads that the water passes through will need to be cleaned every year, not just to prevent mold and mildew, but to reduce hard water buildup.

Can I run vinegar through my swamp cooler?

Clean. Add a cup of vinegar to the cooler pan and let the vinegar cycle through the system for up to an hour. This will eliminate odors, mold, mildew and some corrosion, calcium deposits and other types of build-up.

Is it OK to run a swamp cooler all day?

A swamp cooler can be in operation for 24 hours of the day, but you will need to ensure it has enough water. Continuous flow coolers will automatically work and will be fine to run all day. Manual swamp coolers require you to add water to the reservoir and change the settings so it will run all day efficiently.

How many windows do I need to open a swamp cooler?

Open the windows or vents on the leeward side of the house to provide 1 to 2 square feet of opening for each 1,000 cfm of cooling capacity. Experiment to find the right windows to open and the correct amount to open them. If the windows are open too far, too much hot air will enter.

How often should you change swamp cooler pads?





every 3-5 years

For homeowners that have Mastercool swamp coolers and a water softening system on their home, you should clean the pads annually and replace them every 3-5 years.

Why are my swamp cooler pads black?

You can eyeball this by looking for frayed wiring around the fuse or the circuit breaker, and looking for small black spots which might indicate a short-circuit. It’s also possible that you could have low voltage running to your unit, and that would cause it to operate at a subpar level.

Can you put bleach in a swamp cooler?

Bleach is one of the most common household cleaning chemicals, but it is not a good choice for your swamp cooler. Bleach should never be used in an evaporative cooler as it can damage the pans and possibly void your warranty. We recommend a cleaning solution made from a mix of vinegar and water.

Do swamp coolers need to be cleaned?



Swamp coolers provide cool air through water evaporation. This method of cooling saves more energy than using an air conditioner. You should clean your unit at least once each year. To clean your swamp cooler, take it apart and clean the inside and water reservoir, check the mechanical parts, and change the pads.

At what temperature do swamp coolers become ineffective?

A wet bulb temperature above 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) means the swamp cooler won’t be able to adjust the temperature enough to keep it in the comfort zone.

Should a window be open when using a swamp cooler?

A window should be open just enough to allow air pressure inside a room to slowly and quietly close the door to that room. If the door closes forcefully, there is too little exhaust and the window should be opened wider. However, the window is open too far if the door doesn’t move at all.

How do you optimize a swamp cooler?



How to Optimize Airflow in Your Home Swamp Cooler Efficiency

  1. Run the Pump Before Cooling Off. …
  2. Test Relief Airflow. …
  3. Close Doors to Rooms Not in Use. …
  4. Check Humidity Outside and Inside. …
  5. Listen to Your Cooling System. …
  6. Make Sure Your Cooler Is in Top Shape.

Does adding ice to a swamp cooler help?

Putting ice in your swamp cooler will reduce the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling process. Water needs to hot in order to evaporate, so adding ice increases the time it takes for the cooler to effectively cool the space.

Does shading a swamp cooler help?

You’re going to get better cooling action without having the added evaporation of all of that direct sunlight on the water. So, it’s a good idea to shade those units when it’s physically possible to do that. And you’re right: it’s known both as a swamp cooler and an evaporative cooler.

Can a swamp cooler cool an entire house?



Unfortunately, a swamp cooler will make your home or a room damper because of the way it cools the air (by evaporating water). That’s why it’s best to use this system in a low-humidity environment. One way to deal with this downside is to open a window, although it will cause the cooler not to work as effectively.

How do you clean swamp cooler water lines?

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to clean your swamp cooler pads.

  1. Choose a Good Day with Nice Weather. Make sure you do this on a nice day. …
  2. Disconnect the Power to your Swamp Cooler. …
  3. Remove the Cooling Pads. …
  4. Check the Pads Condition. …
  5. Cleaning the Cooling Pads. …
  6. Place Pads Back in Swamp Cooler. …
  7. Plug it all back In.

What are the best pads for a swamp cooler?

I know you just want to know… The best swamp cooler pads for standard swamp coolers are aspen pads.

What happens if you run a swamp cooler without water?



A swamp cooler will still operate without water flowing to it, but this means it will run without lubrication, in turn causing irreversible damage to the pump from the friction.

How do you optimize a swamp cooler?

How to Optimize Airflow in Your Home Swamp Cooler Efficiency

  1. Run the Pump Before Cooling Off. …
  2. Test Relief Airflow. …
  3. Close Doors to Rooms Not in Use. …
  4. Check Humidity Outside and Inside. …
  5. Listen to Your Cooling System. …
  6. Make Sure Your Cooler Is in Top Shape.

Does adding ice to a swamp cooler help?

Putting ice in your swamp cooler will reduce the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling process. Water needs to hot in order to evaporate, so adding ice increases the time it takes for the cooler to effectively cool the space.

Does shading a swamp cooler help?

You’re going to get better cooling action without having the added evaporation of all of that direct sunlight on the water. So, it’s a good idea to shade those units when it’s physically possible to do that. And you’re right: it’s known both as a swamp cooler and an evaporative cooler.

How wet should swamp cooler pads be?

Turn on the water supply and make sure water is wetting the entire cooler pad. Too little water will cause dry spots and reduce the cooler’s efficiency. Check the water level in the reservoir. Adjust the float valve to maintain about three inches of water.

Should you crack a window with a swamp cooler?

Open the Windows
As you run a swamp cooler, it makes moist air in your home as water evaporates into the air. However, the more humid the air in your house is, the less effective your evaporative cooler will be. To solve this problem, keep a few windows cracked to let dry air in and damp air out.

Do dehumidifiers help swamp coolers?

Paired up, a dehumidifier can significantly improve the cooling efficiency of a swamp cooler on a humid day or inside a sealed house. For best results, point the dehumidifier vent at the swamp cooler intakes so that the driest air is being used to create more lovely coolness.