Portable evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are a powerful way to stay cool in summertime, but when winter rolls around they need to be packed away. Evaporative coolers aren't something that can be rolled into a corner and switched off, though. There's some basic maintenance that needs to be done if you expect your portable evaporative cooler to start working at full efficiency when you switch it on again in the spring. If you don't take the time to winterize your portable evaporative cooler, you could be facing mold infestations, clogged pipes, and even rotted cooling pads. These are the basic procedures you need to perform to get your portable evaporative air cooler ready for winter.
Drain and Clean the Water Tank
If you live in an area with hard water such as southern California, the Rocky Mountains, Midwest, Great Lakes, or Southern Florida, then you may also want to clean the water pump as well, to prevent it from becoming clogged. Hard water is caused when ground minerals dissolve and mix with the rainwater that feeds your local reservoir. When it's run through your portable evaporative cooler, the minerals can bind to the water pump and the piping, clogging them up.
To remove them, fill your water tank with a mixture of water and calcium lime solution. Our technicians recommend CLR. Pour in enough water cover the water pump and add one or two capfuls of CLR. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 20 minutes, until the water pump is completely soaked. While you're waiting, remove the back screen and take out the air filters and cooling pads. If you own a NewAir AF-1000R, a NewAir AF-1000W, or a NewAir AF-1000B, you'll need to unscrew the back panel with a screwdriver. Don't run CLR through your cooler without removing the cooling pads first or you may damage them. The calcium lime solution will break down the glue holding the pad together and if it soaks in too deep, it will get blown out through the fan and possible cause a breakdown.
Once you've finished waiting, turn on the cooler and run the cleaning solution through the machines for 30 seconds. Don't run it any longer than that or it may damage the evaporative cooler. Then empty the water tank by removing the rubber plug in back. Make sure you have a bucket or pan ready to collect the water. If you have access to a drain, that works even better. Then fill the tank with clean water and run it through the evaporative cooler for 2-3 minutes to wash it out, then drain the water tank and let it dry thoroughly before putting it back into the cooler.
Clean the Filters
Once the tank has been cleaned, it's time to clean the filters. Rinse them off under some running water to remove any dust or dirt caught in the filter and then set it aside to let it dry.
Clean the Cooling Pads
Run a vacuum nozzle over the evaporative cooler pads to suck up any dirt or dust that may have gotten caught between the honeycombs. Next, fill a bucket or pan with a water and lemon juice, and soak the cooling pads in it. Make sure the pads are fully submerged for at least 30-60 seconds to kill any mold spores that may have gotten trapped inside. Mold is the biggest danger evaporative coolers face during winter. In a dark, damp environment, it can grow unchecked, ruining the cooling pads and leaving a foul stench in your machine. You can use vinegar instead of lemon juice, if it's more convenient, but the pads might end up smelling of vinegar if you don't rinse them out thoroughly afterwards.
After the pads have finished soaking, rinse them thoroughly with running water and leave them out to dry. Thought they can be stored in your portable evaporative cooler, our technicians actually recommend storing the cooling pads in a separate box, to make sure they won't absorb any water at all.
Storing Your Evaporative Cooler
Once the pads, filters, and tank have been cleaned and dried, your portable evaporative coolers is ready for storage. Place the tank and filters back in the cooler and put the pads in their own separate box, which you'll store along with it. Store your evaporative cooler indoors, someplace dry indoors, where it's protected against the elements, and out of direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can discolor the plastic housing. NewAir technicians recommend storing it in its original packaging or under a tarp or blanket.
Final Thoughts
Winterizing your portable evaporative cooler is essential. It increases its durability and lengthens its operational lifespan. Make it a part of your winter routine, and it'll be ready to go again when spring arrives.
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