How to Winterize Your Evaporative Cooler in Grand Junction

Evaporative coolers are a great fit for our dry Western Slope summers, but they aren't built to sit full of water through freezing nights. A proper fall shutdown protects the water line, the pump, and the pads, and it makes spring startup a lot smoother.

A basic fall shutdown checklist

1. Turn off the power. Switch off the cooler and, if there's a disconnect, turn that off too before you touch anything.
2. Shut off the water and drain the line. Close the supply valve to the cooler and drain the water line so nothing is left to freeze and crack.
3. Drain and clean the reservoir. Empty the pan and scrub out sediment and mineral scale. Left in place, it makes the pump and float work harder next summer.
4. Check the pads. If they're hard, crusty, or falling apart, replace them now or at spring startup.
5. Look over the pump and float valve. Cracked fittings, a stuck float, or a pump that hums but doesn't move water are much easier to deal with in fall than on the first hot day.
6. Cover it. Use a fitted cover made for evaporative coolers, and close off the interior vent or duct opening so cold air doesn't drift into the house. Avoid wrapping the unit airtight, which traps moisture.

Stay safe. Rooftop units mean working at height. If you're not comfortable on the roof, it's worth having a pro handle it.

When to call a pro

Call if you find cracked plumbing, a pump that won't run, heavy mineral buildup, or if you'd rather not climb on the roof. A quick spring inspection often catches small problems before they turn into a no-cooling call in July. See our evaporative cooler service page for everything we handle.