Ready your Coolers for Cool Weather

Here in the Sonoran desert the seasons don't always follow the calendar. The arrival of the autumn equinox doesn't always mean cooler temperatures. Summer temperatures prevailed through September and many of us were anticipating warmer temperatures into October. Yet, these first days of October have given us some welcome cooler weather. Now is the perfect time to get outside and winterize your evaporative cooler. Water CASA invites you to follow these 'cool rules' for your cooler.

'Cool Rules' for Winterizing Evaporative Coolers

• Dissolve mineral buildup in the bottom of the tray. Vinegar can be easily used.
• Drain water from the bottom tray.
• Gently scrape out mineral buildup and cooler pad fibers with a wire brush or putty knife.
• Remove the cooler pad holder and discard cooler pads.
• Inspect the cooler pad holder and water trough for clogged holes.
• Thoroughly dry the tray and inspect it for signs of cracking.
• Coat the tray with submarine sealer or roofing cement to prevent rust.
• Disconnect and drain the water line from the cooler to prevent the line from freezing.
• Inspect for cracks that could cause leaks.
• Cover the entire cooler to protect it and to retain household heat. Depending on how your cooler is installed, insert a baffle to seal the duct from the evaporative cooler to your house. This will help prevent cold air from entering your house.