Why Clean Your Evaporative Cooler
Evaporative coolers are the top choices of many homeowners and businesses instead of traditional air coolers, as they are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient for making your living space cool, particularly in hot and dry climates. However, to keep them working effectively, routine maintenance and cleaning are essential.
Arrival of summer weather is the ideal time to schedule an evaporative cooling cleaning and also ensure your system is in top shape. Regular evaporative cooling duct cleaning and maintenance keep your system running efficiently, improves indoor air quality, kills unpleasant smells, and maintains a safe, hygienic, healthy living environment.
Even if your cooler seems to be running smoothly, dust, pollen and other dirt particles are likely accumulated inside the unit, especially in the evaporative cooling ducts and other cooler parts. Because coolers pass outdoor air over water-soaked pads and utilizes the power of evaporation to cool air temperature, which means it collects such particulates that can block airflow, slow down the system’s cooling power and cause it to work harder than necessary. A dirty evaporative cooler not only impacts cooler’s performance but also causes health risks by circulating harmful allergens and contaminants in your home. If the cooler unit is severely clogged, it can also lead to a house fire.
Benefits to Clean Your Evaporative Cooler!
Recent reports from Energy Safe Victoria raise safety concerns tied to neglected evaporative coolers, with several fire incidents caused by these units in recent years. To minimize this risk, Energy Safe Victoria strongly advises homeowners and businesses to schedule annual servicing to ensure their systems work safely and efficiently.
A well-maintained evaporative cooler not only cools better but also has a longer lifespan, saving you time, money, and future headaches down the line. Here’s why you should clean your evaporative cooler and how it benefits you.
1. Improves Efficiency
A clean evaporative cooler operates at optimal efficiency. Dust, debris, and mineral buildup can clog the cooler pads and fan, lowering the system’s ability to cool. In result, your cooler may have to work harder and consume more energy to get the same cooling effect. Cleaning the evaporative cooler removes these blockages, enabling it to work smoothly, which in turn lowers your energy bill.
2. Reduced Electricity Bills
In Australia, cooling and heating typically make up about 40% of household energy consumption. A dirty air conditioning unit consumes more electric power due to the extra workload, leading to higher operating costs. By simply cleaning your unit, you could minimize energy consumption by up to 15%.
3. Enhances Air Quality
Beyond just cooling your home, your evaporative cooling system influences indoor air quality. Regular evaporative cooling duct cleaning allows fresh air to circulate throughout your home. When you clean evaporative cooler components, like the evaporative cooler pads, dust and debris are eliminated, leading to cleaner, healthier indoor air.
For specific brands like Bonaire, knowing how to clean Bonaire evaporative cooler pads can make a noticeable difference in air quality. Regular evaporative cooling cleaning helps ensure that your cooler delivers fresh, healthy, clean air and lessens the risk of circulating allergens and contaminants in your home.
4. Extends the Life of Your Cooler in Lower Repair costs
Regular evaporative cooling cleaning and maintenance are key to extending the life of your evaporative cooler. Mineral deposits from hard water can build up on the cooler pads, pump, and other components, resulting in corrosion and decreased efficiency. If not treated on time, this can cause parts to wear out more quickly, shortening the lifespan of the cooler. Cleaning your evaporative cooler helps prevent mineral deposits and corrosion, allowing it to last longer with fewer repairs needed.
5. Reduces Odors
A dirty evaporative cooler can start to emit unpleasant odors, mainly caused by stagnant water, bacteria, or mold that accumulate inside the system. Cleaning your cooler on a regular basis removes these odor-causing agents and keeps the air healthy and fresh.
6. Cleaner Environment, Prevents Mold and Bacteria Growth
Dust in the ducts can be circulated into your home, making surfaces like bedding, furniture, and carpets dustier and less sanitary. Pollutants like pollen and pet hair can also accumulate, and a dirty evaporative cooler with uncleaned standing water inside it can be a breeding ground for mold, fungi, and bacteria, which may raise concerns about whether evaporative coolers are bad for your health as they cause respiratory issues or allergy flare-ups. .
Regular cleaning of evaporative cooler pads, along with replacing water and cooler pads, prevents these harmful organisms from developing in your evaporative cooler. This is particularly essential for maintaining a safe and healthy indoor environment.
How to Clean Your Evaporative Cooler
- Turn Off and Disconnect: Safety first! Turn off the cooler and disconnect it from the power source before cleaning.
- Drain the Water Tank: It is important that you must drain and dry the unit once the season is over. Empty the water reservoir to remove any standing water, which can harbor bacteria and cause unpleasant odors. .
- Clean or Replace the Cooling Pads: Rinse or replace the cooling pads as needed. If the pads are reusable, clean them with a brush with a solution of water + lemon or vinegar to remove dust and mineral buildup. Replace pads if they’re worn or damaged.
- Scrub and Descale: Use a brush to scrub mineral deposits from the interior surfaces of the cooler, including the tank, fan, and pump. For tougher deposits, a vinegar solution can help dissolve scale buildup.
- Sanitize the Water Tank: Use a diluted bleach solution to kill bacteria and prevent mold from forming in the water tank. Rinse thoroughly after disinfecting to remove any bleach residue.
- Inspect Components: With the tank now clean, check for any system issues. Look for cracks or leaks and apply silicone caulking if needed. Inspect for corrosion and remove it using vinegar. Finally, check that the fan belt is tight.
- Deodorize the Unit: After cleaning, eliminate any lingering musty odor by filling a spray bottle with 20–25 drops of your favorite essential oil and lightly misting the unit’s internal parts. For a refreshing scent, try mint or lavender.
- Reassemble and Refill: Reassemble the cooler, refill the water tank, and reconnect it to the power source.
Pre- and Post-Season Evaporative Cooler Maintenance
Knowing how to clean your evaporative cooler is a good start, but regular maintenance is crucial for optimal performance. To get the most out of your unit, it’s essential to clean it thoroughly at the beginning of the summer season. However, many Australian homeowners overlook the care required at the end of the season.
When summer season ends, follow a specific routine before closing your evaporative cooler. Turn off the unit, completely drain it, and make sure the filters, water reservoir, and all the other components are clean, mold-free and dry. Skipping this step can leave the unit vulnerable to mold, mildew, and even corrosion, affecting its efficiency and longevity.
Final Thoughts
Routine cleaning of your evaporative cooler improves its efficiency, extends its life, and contributes to a healthier indoor environment. With regular upkeep, you can enjoy the full advantages of an evaporative cooler—fresh, cool air at a fraction of the energy cost of traditional air conditioning.
FAQs - Evaporative Cooler Cleaning
1. What is evaporative cooling duct cleaning, and why is it important?
Evaporative cooling duct cleaning involves removing dust, dirt, and debris from the ducts of an evaporative cooler. This is important to maintain clean airflow, improve indoor air quality, and ensure your system runs efficiently.
2. What does evaporative cooling cleaning include?
Evaporative cooling cleaning typically includes cleaning the unit’s water reservoir, pads, filters, and ducts, as well as checking for signs of wear, leaks, or corrosion. It ensures the system operates effectively and reduces the risk of health issues from dust and mold.
3. How Often Should You Clean Your Evaporative Cooler?
For optimal performance, a light cleaning every 1-2 months during the cooling season is recommended. At the end of each season, a deeper clean will help prepare your cooler for storage and ensure it’s ready for next year.
4. How often should evaporative cooling be serviced?
Servicing should be done at least once a year, ideally at the start or end of the cooling season, to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
5. How do I clean evaporative cooling vents?
To clean evaporative cooling vents, turn off the system, remove the vent covers, and vacuum or wipe down each vent. Ensure there is no dust buildup that could restrict airflow.
6. How to clean Bonaire evaporative cooler pads?
To clean Bonaire evaporative cooler pads, remove the pads from the unit, rinse them with water, and scrub gently if necessary. If the pads are too dirty, consider replacing them.
7. What is the cost of evaporative cooling cleaning?
Cleaning costs can vary depending on the unit’s size and condition, generally ranging from $100 to $300. Professional cleaning may be more costly but ensures a thorough job.
8. How to clean an evaporative air conditioner?
Clean an evaporative air conditioner by turning off power, draining water, cleaning the pads, wiping down the reservoir, and inspecting for dust or debris in the ducts and vents.
