How Often Should I Change Out My Evaporative Cooler Pad?

If you want to keep your swamp cooler operating at peak efficiency, it’s important to change your evaporative cooler pads in Phoenix, AZ on a regular basis. Your cooler’s pads are working hard to keep the air cool, and as they work, they start to fill up with deposits. This, in turn, will start to degrade the efficiency of your cooler, resulting in decreased cooling capabilities. Premier Industries Inc. is experienced in all areas of swamp coolers and cooler pads, and we have a few recommendations to help you determine when it’s time to change your evaporative cooler pad.

Look for pad buildup

There’s nothing like the cool air you experience when your evaporative cooler pads in Phoenix, AZ are fresh out of the box. Brand new pads efficiently absorb the greatest measure of water, thereby ensuring the greatest measure of cool temperatures for your home. But over time, mineral deposits such as magnesium and calcium start to build up on the pad, preventing it from adequately absorbing water. This means the pads can’t get as much cold air out, and you’ll get hotter temperatures with decreased efficiency. Even worse, this buildup can cause corrosion and rusting in the cooler!

To prevent this, keep an eye on the pads for signs of buildup, and change them out when you start to notice it, in order to keep your airflow at maximum effectiveness.

Frequency of replacement depends on a few variables

There is no one set time when every homeowner should replace their evaporative cooler pads in Phoenix, AZ. For one thing, cooler pads come in many different materials, some of which last longer than others. Additionally, you’ll need to take into account two other important factors: the quality of your water and the frequency with which you run your cooler. In other words, a cooler system that is operated only occasionally using high quality filtered water will need to have its cooler pads replaced much less frequently than a unit that is used all season long with lower quality unfiltered water.

• • Check What Brand You Use

Different brands of evaporative cooler pads are made of different quality and materials. They are each designed to last a certain length of time, likely either for one season or for three to five years. If you don’t remember what kind of evaporative cooler pad you purchased, don’t fret. There are other ways to determine whether or not it needs to be replaced.

• • Look for Excessive Wear

The evaporative cooler pad in your system should be examined regularly for damage, preferably prior to the start of each season. Signs to look for that indicate excessive wear and tear are a loss of thickness, rips, cracks and fraying edges. If you notice any of these signs, it’s likely time to replace the pad.

• • Noticeable Reduction in Airflow

If you find that your cooling system isn’t working as well as it should or as well as it used to, then changing the evaporative cooler pad should be the first thing you do to troubleshoot the issue. During use, small particles can get caught in the pad during filtration, ultimately blocking airflow. While a reduction in airflow can also be caused by other problems, this is the cheapest and often easiest solution to the problem of poor airflow.

• • Note How Often You Use the System

Like any heating or cooling system, the more use your residential evaporative cooler gets, the more maintenance it will require. Consider how long your evaporative cooler pad is supposed to last with average use, and then figure whether you use your system more or less often than this. If you use your system throughout most of the day the cooler pad will need to be changed more often than it would if you use it for just a few hours per day. To prolong the life of cooler pads, it’s suggested that you turn off the system when it’s not in use.

• • Consider the Quality of the Water Supply

Where you obtain your water supply can significantly affect the life of your evaporative cooling pad. A municipal water supply is best, as it contains less sediment and particles that will get caught in the pad. When poor quality water is used, it often contains hardened materials and calcium deposits that get lodged in the cooling pad and cause damage over time. This damage will require you to change the pad more often.

Go for once a season

Although there are some important variables to take into account, a good general rule of thumb is to change the cooler pads once at the start of every season. You might find that your pads just need to be cleaned along with the usual maintenance—which you will be able to determine if you see a pad stained and saturated with deposits rather than water—but don’t hesitate to change them if they start to lose their effectiveness. If you see your pads developing cracks, this is a sure sign that it’s time to change them out.

When in doubt, call a reliable cooling company, such as Premier Industries Inc., to come out and take a look. We’ll help you determine when it’s time to change your evaporative cooler pads in Phoenix, AZ, and can also perform important maintenance to keep you cool and comfortable all season long. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment!

Categorised in: Evaporative Cooler Pads

This post was written by Mike Nicolini