Repair or Replace an Evaporative Cooler?

Most faults are repairs

Pumps that stop lifting water, floats that stick, dump valves that leak, fan motors and capacitors, controllers that stop talking to the unit: these are the evaporative faults we see most, and most of them are sensible repairs on a cooler that is otherwise sound. We do not recommend a changeover when a pump will fix it.

What tips the balance towards replacement

• Age and cabinet condition. A cracked or brittle cabinet, a leaking tank or a rusted frame cannot be repaired economically.
• Parts. Some older models can no longer be supported with genuine parts.
• Repair cost. A major repair on an old unit, or a series of repairs, is usually worse value than a new cooler.
• Performance. If the unit has never cooled the house properly, the problem may be the unit size or the ductwork rather than a fault, and a changeover is the chance to get it right.

What a changeover involves

A typical replacement safely accesses the roof, removes the old unit, reuses the existing dropper, flashing, ductwork and outlets only where they are suitable and in good condition, installs the new cooler, connects water, electrical and the controller, commissions and tests it, checks for leaks and removes the old equipment. Existing components are reused only if they are suitable; that is checked on the day, not assumed.

Brivis is our preferred brand, then Bonaire and Braemar. See evaporative cooler replacement.

Going electric instead

If the home is converting to ducted reverse cycle, the evaporative cooler is a separate decision: it can sometimes stay, or be removed and the roof reinstated. See keeping the evaporative cooler when going electric.

The honest answer

Tell us what the cooler is doing and its rough age, and send a photo of the unit or the controller if you can. We will tell you whether it is a repair or a replacement, and why.