Swamp cooler repair, maintenance and replacement in San Diego County

How a swamp cooler works

A swamp cooler pulls outside air through wet pads with a blower. As the water evaporates, the air cools before it moves into the building. Because the process adds moisture, evaporative cooling works best when the outdoor air is dry, which is why these units show up more in inland communities than right on the coast.

Swamp cooler repair

Common problems are pads that no longer soak evenly, a water pump that has stopped, float valves that overflow or don't fill, blower belts, bearings or motors that wear out, clogged water distribution lines, and pans or cabinets that rust through. We find the cause and give you an honest, upfront quote before any repair. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm. After hours, our answering service takes your message and our office follows up the next business day.

Seasonal maintenance

Swamp coolers need a start-up service before the hot months and a shutdown at the end of the season. That typically means replacing or cleaning the pads, cleaning out mineral scale and sediment from the pan, checking the pump, float and water lines, and inspecting the belt, motor and electrical connections. Coolers that run a lot need checks during the season too. See our maintenance plans.

Replacement, or switching to central air

When a cooler is rusted through or the motor and pan are failing together, replacement usually makes more sense than repair. Some owners replace the cooler; others move to central air conditioning, a heat pump or ductless mini-splits. When a rooftop cooler is retired, the curb and roof opening have to be sealed properly. Our blog shows a rooftop swamp cooler removal by crane, with the old curb capped and flashed.

Residential and commercial coolers

We work on residential roof and window-style coolers and larger commercial evaporative coolers on shops, warehouses and light industrial buildings. For commercial properties we can add coolers to a planned maintenance schedule alongside the rest of your commercial HVAC equipment.

Frigiking is a trademark of Phoenix Manufacturing Inc. Precision Air Inc is not affiliated with, authorized by or endorsed by Phoenix Manufacturing; the product image is shown for reference, and we service evaporative coolers from all makers.

Questions about swamp coolers

Do you repair swamp coolers?

Yes. We repair, maintain and replace evaporative (swamp) coolers for homes and businesses across San Diego County.

Do swamp coolers work in San Diego?

They work best when the air is dry. Inland areas see more dry, hot days than the immediate coast, so swamp coolers are more common and more effective there. On humid days any evaporative cooler cools less.

How often should a swamp cooler be serviced?

At least a start-up service before summer and a shutdown at the end of the season, with pad and pan checks during the season if the cooler runs a lot.

Can you replace my swamp cooler with air conditioning?

Yes. We can replace the cooler, or remove it, seal the roof opening and install central air, a heat pump or ductless mini-splits instead.

What are your office hours?

Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm. After hours, our answering service takes your message and our office follows up the next business day.