Swamp cooler repair and conversion in Tucson

Common repairs

• Pads dried out, crusted with mineral scale or torn. Fixr lists pad replacement at $65 to $115 installed.
• Water pump not running, so the pads stay dry and the air comes out warm. Fixr lists pump replacement at $150 to $450.
• Belt slipping or broken, or motor bearings worn: the cooler is loud or not blowing.
• Float valve stuck, so the pan overflows or runs dry.
• Leaks onto the roof, rust in the pan, or a cooler that smells musty.

The Department of Energy notes that evaporative coolers need regular maintenance to keep the water reservoir clean, and that a window or vent has to be open so air can leave the house. A cooler with the windows shut just makes the house humid.

Why it stops working in July

An evaporative cooler works by evaporating water into the air, and the DOE says they work well where the air is hot and the humidity is low. That describes a Tucson June. The monsoon months, July through September, bring 52% of the airport's yearly rain (1991-2020 average), and the humidity that comes with the monsoon cuts how much a cooler can do. Swamp cooler or refrigerated air.

Converting to refrigerated air

Conversion means installing a central air conditioner or heat pump and, in many older homes, new ductwork, because a cooler duct is usually not laid out for refrigerated air. The roof opening where the cooler sat gets closed and sealed. Get a quote that spells out the ductwork. A new central system runs $5,800 to $14,400 installed according to Fixr, and ducts are often the swing item. Replacement costs.

Keeping both

Some Tucson homes keep the cooler for the dry months and run refrigerated air during the monsoon. That works if the cooler is maintained and properly closed off when the AC runs, so cooled air isn't lost through the cooler duct.