Fall shutdown
Drain it before November
Shut the cooler down and drain it in October. In Grand Junction the average October low is 39.5 F, November drops to 27.5 F, and January averages 17.3 F. Water left in the line or pan can freeze and crack parts. Already November and not sure it was done? Send a request now.
What shutdown covers
Winterizing, step by step
What a technician should do on a roof or side cooler.
Technician shutdown checklist
- Shut off the cooler water supply and drain the line so it cannot freeze.
- Drain and clean the pan.
- Disconnect the pump and set the cooler so it cannot run on cool.
- Cover the cooler, or close it up, for winter.
- Note any parts that need replacing in spring.
Your part, from inside
- Close or cover the indoor ceiling or wall vent.
- Switch the control off so nobody runs it on cool by mistake.
- From the ground, check after windy days that the cover is still on.
Safety first. Roof work, the inside of the cooler cabinet and anything electrical are jobs for a cooler technician. Every check on this site is done from inside the house or standing on the ground. Nothing here asks you to climb a ladder, open the cabinet or touch wiring.
Questions
Winterizing questions
What happens if a swamp cooler is not winterized?
Water left in the supply line or the pan can freeze and crack the line, the pump or the pan, and an uncovered cooler lets cold air down the duct all winter. A spring leak is often the first sign.
Is October too early to shut it down?
Rarely. NOAA normals show only 4.9 cooling degree days in October, and the average low is 39.5 F. By November the average low is 27.5 F.
Should the indoor vent be covered?
Many homes close or cover it for winter so warm house air does not escape up the cooler duct. That is a safe job from inside the house.
What does winterizing cost?
No prices here, on purpose. Ask for a written price before any work starts, with the parts named.
Book a shutdown
Say where the cooler is mounted and whether the water line has its own shutoff you know of.