If You're Struggling With Swamp Cooler Odors, Here's How To Get Rid Of Them

While there are a few creative ways to cool your room without air conditioning, using a swamp cooler is one of the most effective alternatives. It can be a great piece of equipment to have at home and can work well in low-humidity environments, such as desert regions. These units cool air while evaporating water and can add humidity to the air. Compared to air conditioners, they use much less energy, so they're also a good way to reduce your energy costs at home. Despite this, swamp coolers do come with their drawbacks and can experience issues from time to time. 

One of the big problems you may come across with your swamp cooler is that it develops a terrible odor that may remind you a bit of smelly fish. This could be caused by the growth of mold and mildew, the accumulation of dirt, and a buildup of hard water on the pads. These things can also affect the efficiency of the unit, so maintaining your swamp cooler is essential. First and foremost, it's important to clean or replace the pads, but you can also try some other methods for deodorizing the unit as well.

If your swamp cooler has started to smell, the first thing to try is cleaning the swamp cooler pads. Aim to remove and clean them on an annual basis at the very least. When doing this, be sure to disconnect the swamp cooler's power first. Remove the panel on the side of the unit and unplug the cords for the motor and pump. You can then take out the cooling pads. If they're in good condition and not tattered or torn, spray and wash the pads from back to front and remove any debris and buildup that's present. If you want, you can use a mild detergent but make sure it's rinsed off thoroughly when you're done. Once you've cleaned off the debris, you can then add the pads back to the swamp cooler. 

Keep in mind that you may need to make a full replacement of the pads instead if the pads are too tattered and torn or extra heavy. You'll generally want to replace the pads every three to five years, as a general rule. If you don't use a water softening system, this may be necessary on a yearly basis instead.

If your swamp cooler still smells even after replacing the pads, then you may need to try a few more things. One option is to get a commercial swamp cooler deodorizer. You can place this inside the reservoir to help deodorize the swamp cooler and improve the smell, especially if the smell is only minor. You might also simply need to give the swamp cooler time to dry. If you can stand relying on other ways to cool down a room in the meantime, consider leaving the swamp cooler on with only the fans for an extended period of time, such as a few days. This can help the unit dry and may help remove the odor. 

At the end of summer, once you're done using it for the season, take steps to prevent the return of the smell the next year. Drain the reservoir. Then, keep it covered during the winter to prevent the accumulation of debris. Of course, remember that HVAC professionals can help take care of the unit as well and can assist with any of these odor removal and maintenance tasks. Consider calling a professional if you have serious problems with your swamp cooler.