How to Repair Evaporative Air Cooler

    Evaporative air cooler work very well in hot dry climates such as the desert Southwest. They are less expensive than air conditioners and cost less to operate. However, evaporative air cooler do require more maintenance than air conditioners. Fortunately, very little technical expertise or skill with tools is required to keep an evaporative air cooler operating at peak efficiency. Trouble shooting an evaporative air cooler is a simple matter of identifying one of several problems. An evaporative air cooler has three main components: the water pump supplies water to the cooler pads to cool the air and the fan motor distributes the cooled air throughout the house.

   Use a flashlight to check the fuse or breaker box if the cooler does not start or does not blow air. If the fuse is tripped or blown, either reset or replace it as necessary.

   Determine where the problem lies if the air is not cool. If the air is warm, check the water pump to be sure water is circulating to the filters. Examine the filter pads to see if they are scaled over with mineral deposits, which inhibit the flow of air. Finally, check the water reservoir to be certain the float is keeping the water at the proper level to supply the pump.

   Examine the fan motor if the cooler is not blowing air. If it is not running, the motor may need service or replacement . Also, examine the fan belt to determine if it is broken and needs replacement. The belt could also be too loose to turn the fan blades properly; the belt should be able to be depressed about an inch when it is pressed down upon with a finger about midway between the motor pulley and the fan blade pulley. If it is too loose, it will need to be tightened or even replaced if it is worn out.

   Drain the water reservoir and scrub it thoroughly with a stiff brush and a solution of one cup of vinegar to one gallon of water. Also, check the filter pads to determine if they are scaled over with mineral deposits.

The Aolan portable evaporative air cooler

The Aolan portable evaporative air cooler

How to cool a house with evaporative air cooler

   Evaporative air cooler --- or "desert cooler" --- use water to push warm air out through open windows to keep homes naturally air and cool. Evaporative air cooler cost about half as much to install as central air conditioners and use about one-quarter as much energy. Because evaporative air cooler provide natural humidity, they're best used in dry, desert-like climates.

   Instructions

   Select the right size evaporative air cooler for the room or area you want to cool. Evaporative air cooler is rated by the number of cubic feet per minute (CFM) of cooled air that flows into a room. Typical models (from portable types to whole house duct systems) are sized from 3,000 to 25,000 CFMs. Figure out the cubic feet of the area you want to cool and divide by two to determine the appropriate size cooler you need.

   Decide if you want your cooler to blow air into one or more smaller rooms (as in a central location installation) or to cool your entire house (as in a ducted system installation). Portable air cooler-- or horizontal-flow coolers --- are installed in a single window and are good for cooling one room or a small part of your house. Ducted systems are ideal for large homes with hallways and many bedrooms to cool.

  Open window in different rooms and at varying heights to experiment with temperature and humidity levels. If your windows are open too much, you'll feel the hot air coming in and your cooler will operate less effectively. If your windows aren't open enough, you'll get more humidity than you bargained for. Close windows in rooms that aren't being used.

  Maintain your evaporative air cooler so that it runs efficiently throughout the summer. Change the pads and filters at least twice during the cooling season. Check the pump and reservoir for sediment accumulation and clean it out regularly. Evaporative air cooler need to be thoroughly cleaned at the beginning of every season.

How to Clean an Evaporative Air Cooler

    If you live in a hot, dry climate you know how important it is to keep your home cool in the summer. Evaporative air cooler, also known as desert coolers, lower the air temperature by blowing hot outside air over water. Cleaning the unit will keep bacteria and mold from growing inside it and infecting your home.

    Instructions

    ·  1  Turn off the power to the unit. Remove the unit's covers and open the drain valve.

    ·  2  Remove the filters and hose them off to clean them. Hose off all the waterways in the system. Run water through the bleed-off system and the sump.

    ·  3  Place the filters in the unit. Close the drain valve and open the water inlet valve Turn the unit back on.

    ·  4  Isolate the fan to only run inside the unit and not into your home. Make sure the pump is still running. Add 1/4 cup of bleach for every gallon of water in the unit.

    ·  5  Allow the unit to run for 30 minutes to disinfect it. Pour out the water and fill it with fresh water. Run the unit for 5 more minutes and replace the water again. The fan back on to your home.

How to install evaporative air cooler

   Install an evaporative air cooler, so known as an desert cooler or swamp cooler, in your home to provide an energy-efficient cooling system. This type of system draws hot air from outside and cools it to a comfortable temperature. Then the evaporative air cooler pushes the air into the house. You can buy a regular system or a portable window system to install in your home.

   Purchase a system of the size you need to cool the room. Calculate the volume of the room in cubic feet by multiplying its square footage by the height of the ceiling. Then divide this sum by 2. The result is the cubic feet per minute of air that the evaporative air cooler has to blow out. Choose a machine that gives the air flow rate you need. For example, if the room is 1,200 square feet and you have 10-foot ceilings, multiply 1,200 to 10 to get 12,000 cubic feet. Divide 12,000 by 2 to get 6,000. You require a system that has an air flow rate of 6,000 cubic feet per minute.

   Set up the evaporative air cooler against the wall. It can be placed on the ground, mounted to the wall with support brackets or secured to the roof of your home. Create a hole in the wall using a jigsaw to cut through aluminum siding and wood, or a masonry boring tool to cut through brick or stone.

   Attach the duct work to the system. In installing the pipes, run as many as possible straight to provide efficient air flow. Place a minimum of 2 elbow pipes on the line run. Join the pipes with sheet metal screws. Attach the duct work with vent collars between studs and joists. Install an outlet grille in the wall or ceiling.

   Secure the water line of the evaporative cooler to the water tap line in the house. Seal around the duct leading outside with foam insulation. Run the electrical cord through the nearest window and plug it into a regular outlet. Open windows before operating the evaporative air cooler system.