Heard a guy at the hardware store say he'd never get a swamp cooler again

I was in line at Sutherlands yesterday and this guy was telling the cashier he ripped out his swamp cooler after just two summers and went full AC. He said the pads were a constant mess and it didn't cut it during our worst heat waves. That got me thinking, because my 15 year old cooler still runs fine with basic upkeep every spring. I think a lot of people ditch them too fast instead of learning the simple maintenance. It saves a ton on the electric bill compared to refrigerated air. Has anyone else kept their swamp cooler running well past a decade?

2 comments

2 Comments

park.iris1mo ago

You mentioned your 15 year old cooler runs fine with basic upkeep. I read a home maintenance guide that said the same thing, that regular pad changes and cleaning the basin are the biggest factors. It seems like a lot of the bad reputation comes from letting them get clogged and nasty.

cooper.viola1mo ago

Remember my buddy who swore his swamp cooler was a lost cause? He was about to replace it until I made him check the pads, which were basically solid sheets of dust and leaves. After a good clean and some new pads, it blew cold air like it was brand new. Totally lines up with what you said, @park.iris, about upkeep being the real key. He just needed to do the basic stuff he'd been putting off for years.