Swamp Cooler Roof Installation

Swamp coolers are an energy-efficient alternative, particularly in low-humidity areas.

Swamp coolers -- or evaporative coolers -- utilize the natural cooling properties of evaporating water to cool the air inside homes. They function by pulling outdoor air over water-saturated cloths or pads and circulating it through the home. Swamp coolers are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional air conditioning and function particularly well in low-humidity areas. Installation requirements vary depending on the model of cooler you choose, the type and condition of your roof and the duct work in your house; however, there are several steps that apply to all installations. Have a question? Get an answer from a handyman now!

Instructions

1

Find a location on your roof for the cooler. For aesthetic reasons, you may want to locate it on the back of your roof. Swamp coolers blow cool air into a central location through a diffuser or into duct work, which distributes the cool air into different rooms in the house. Therefore, another consideration is proximity to the duct work or diffuser to which you will connect the cooler. Location of roof trusses are another important consideration as you will need to cut a hole in the roof for duct work and you do not want to cut through a truss. 

2

Determine where your cooler will distribute air through the house and install a diffuser in the ceiling at that location or locations. The simplest installations call for a single diffuser located in a central hallway beneath an attic.

3

Cut a hole in the roof. Most evaporative air coolers require either 18-by-18 inch or 20-by-20-inch duct work. Refer to your cooler's literature for the correct size. Make sure the hole is between roof trusses. Frame out the hole with additional two-by-fours between the trusses.

4

Run electrical wiring from the roof to your electrical panel. Run ¼-inch copper or plastic tubing from the roof to a cold water supply line in your house. Make sure there are no low spots that will hold water when the unit is turned off.

5

Run duct work from the diffuser or diffusers that you installed earlier through the hole in the roof. This will require rigid ducts, flexible ducts or a combination of the two. Strive for as direct a route as possible. Check all plumbing, electrical and duct work connections before running the cooler.

Evaporative air cooler roof installation

6

Install metal flashing between the duct work and the roof. Bend the 4-by-4-inch flashing on a 90-degree angle. Remove the shingles around the duct work, screw the flashing to the duct work and replace the shingles over the flashing.

7

Build a platform or support system for the cooler to sit on. You can either use roof jacks or construct a platform with pressure treated or weather treated wood. Consider the pitch when choosing an option. Also, make sure that you will be able to connect the cooler to the water supply, electrical line and duct work when it is on the platform.

8

Place the cooler onto the platform and connect the water supply, electrical line and duct work.