Evaporative Cooler Spring Start-Up Checklist

The best time to find a faulty cooler part is before the first hot day, not during it. When summer arrives, parts get harder to find and technicians are booked out. This checklist takes most people an hour or two and shows you what to replace while you’re on the roof.

1. Remove the winter cover

If you covered the cooler for winter, remove the cover and check for nests, leaves or debris inside the cabinet. If you closed the ceiling or duct damper, open it again.

2. Clean the tray

With the power off, remove the pads or panels and clean out sludge, scale and leaves from the tray. A wet-vac or sponge makes this easy. Clean the pump inlet screen while you’re there.

3. Check the pads

Look for heavy white scale, crumbling, algae or gaps. Badly scaled or damaged pads cut airflow and cooling. See when to replace cooler pads. Check the pad clips and pins too, as they often break when pads are removed.

4. Turn the water back on and check the fill

Turn on the water supply and run the cooler in cooling mode. Watch the tray fill. It should stop at the right level. If it doesn’t fill, check the inlet solenoid. If it overflows, see cooler overflowing or water running constantly.

5. Check the float valve or water sensor

On units with a float valve, check the float moves freely and shuts the water off. Hardened seals cause dripping and overflowing. See replacing a float valve.

6. Check the pump and water distribution

Once the tray is full, the pump should start and the pads should wet evenly within a few minutes. Dry patches mean a weak pump or a blocked hose or distributor. See how to replace a cooler pump.

7. Check the drain or dump valve

Turn the cooler off and check the tray drains as expected. A valve that won’t open or won’t seal needs attention. See dump valves vs drain valves.

8. Check the fan, belt and motor

On belt-drive units, look for a cracked or glazed belt and check its tension. Listen for grinding or squealing from the motor and fan bearings. See our fan belt guide and capacitor or motor?.

9. Test run

Run the cooler on cooling mode at a few fan speeds for 15–20 minutes with windows open. Check the air coming out is cool and there are no leaks or unusual noises.

Need a part?

Browse evaporative cooler parts or find parts by cooler model. Ordering early means the part is fitted before the heat arrives.

Popular replacement parts

• Breezair Chillcel Pads Pack of 4 – EM, ES, EX, EXD, EXQ, EXH (114613)
• Breezair / Braemar Chillcel Pad Pin and Washer Set of 8 (401959RP)
• Bonaire Celdek Clip and Washer Kit x20 (6050172BSP)
• Seeley Tornado Pump Breezair / Braemar / Coolair (095806)
• Seeley Breezair / Braemar 24VAC Solenoid Valve #638638 Long Lead (638638)
• Breezair / Braemar Drain Valve and Shutoff 24VAC (105345)

This guide is general information only. Always follow your cooler manufacturer’s instructions, and use a licensed electrician for any electrical work.