Evaporative coolers are the best solution for cooling large work environments such as industrial buildings, logistics warehouses, workshops, hangars, and sports or commercial spaces. To maintain their efficiency over time, it is important to perform proper maintenance on the units both during the winter period of inactivity and before the summer season when they are first switched on.
In this article, we will provide some useful tips for the correct maintenance of fixed industrial evaporative coolers. This will help you keep environments cool, comfortable, and healthy for your employees.
Table of Contents
What is an evaporative cooler?
Evaporative coolers are cooling systems ideal for improving microclimatic conditions within work environments during the summer. These systems make it possible to create ideal operating conditions for employees, allowing them to carry out their activities in a state of psychophysical well-being, health, and safety.
How do air coolers work?
Evaporative coolers operate using the natural principle of water evaporation, which acts as a natural refrigerant.
The individual units draw in hot air from the outside which, once filtered, passes through honeycomb panels soaked in water. The air, pushed by the fan, gives up part of its heat to the water contained in the evaporative packs, thus lowering its temperature. The air is then introduced into the working environment at more comfortable temperatures.
It is precisely thanks to this renewal principle that the optimal operation of an adiabatic cooling system occurs with doors and windows open: performance improves thanks to the continuous air exchange, which is also useful for reducing the spread of viruses and bacteria and eliminating odors and dust resulting from industrial processes.
While traditional refrigerant gas air conditioners tend to cool the air by making it dry, evaporative coolers enrich it with the right percentage of humidity. This phenomenon creates an ideal microclimate, avoiding large temperature fluctuations and throat dryness.
If you would like to learn more about how evaporative coolers work and the differences compared to classic air conditioners, click on the articles below.
Evaporative cooling: what it is and how it works
Discover what evaporative cooling is, how it works, and the main advantages it offers for cooling industrial environments such as warehouses, factories, and storage facilities.
Differences between an evaporative cooler and a traditional air conditioner
Discover the main differences between evaporative coolers and traditional climate control systems and which solution is best for cooling medium-to-large industrial warehouses.
The importance of maintenance
The main purpose of wall-mounted and rooftop coolers is to keep workplaces comfortable and healthy: for this reason, we recommend scheduling two annual maintenance sessions for perfect unit operation: one before the first seasonal start-up and one at the end of the summer period, when the adiabatic coolers are decommissioned.
Failure to perform routine maintenance on cooling units can lead to:
- Loss of cooling efficiency;
- Breakdowns or damage to components, resulting in increased management costs due to extraordinary maintenance interventions;
- Unhealthy and uncomfortable work environments.
Especially during the winter months, when the cooling system is usually unused, if routine maintenance is not performed, water remaining inside the unit can freeze and damage components. If not properly cleaned and disinfected at the end of the season, water deposits can also lead to the spread of viruses, bacteria, and mold, which could cause malfunctions and unpleasant odors when switched on the following season.
Winter weather conditions such as rain, snow, pollution, and wind can cause an accumulation of mineral debris inside evaporative coolers, which over time can damage unit components, reducing performance and the product's life cycle.
Cooler maintenance procedures before summer
Pre-seasonal maintenance of evaporative coolers, although a simple operation, must not be underestimated, as it is essential to ensure optimal performance and protect the health of personnel.
Maintenance before the summer season mainly concerns two aspects:
- Cleaning the water tank to remove dirt buildup that can negatively affect the evaporative effect;
- Sanitizing the cooler: clean the evaporative panels using demineralized water to prevent limescale formation. Additionally, clean the air delivery elements to maintain air-water exchange efficiency.
The type of water used for system operation affects its performance. In conditions where the supply water hardness is particularly high, it is recommended to install a softener and check the condition of the evaporative panels more frequently.
Follow these instructions and you will be able to prevent potential damage to unit components and achieve maximum efficiency and performance from your water cooler.
Step-by-step pre-seasonal maintenance procedure for fixed evaporative coolers
- Remove the protective cover used to protect the cooler during winter. Check that it is still intact, clean it with a neutral detergent, and store it dry in a sheltered place. If present, open the air adjustment damper.
- Ensure the unit is disconnected from the power supply and the water valve is closed. Then check the integrity of the power supply cable.
- Remove the dust filters and evaporative panels.
- Proceed with cleaning the tank and sanitizing the cooler. Wash the filters and replace any panels that are no longer usable.
- Check that all components inside the unit are intact.
- Connect the cooler to the power supply and open the water valve.
- Ensure the user interface is operational and start the system in "Cooling" mode.
- Ensure all valves are working properly and that water is distributed evenly across all evaporative panels, checking for any water leaks from the tank and supply piping.
- Check the correct operation of the fans.
- After a few minutes, turn off the cooler and check the correct operation of the drain valve.
- Ensure the tank is completely emptied.
- Reposition the evaporative panels and dust filters and turn the system back on.
Guide for evaporative cooler maintenance at the end of the summer season
Let's now look in detail at the fundamental steps for evaporative cooler maintenance after the summer season, to be carried out approximately between October and November.
Post-seasonal maintenance procedure for industrial evaporative coolers
- Disconnect the power supply to the cooler before proceeding with cleaning operations.
- Clean the external casing with a soft cloth and a neutral detergent. Avoid using products based on aggressive substances such as alcohol, which could damage it.
- Completely empty the tank, removing all water residue and traces of limescale.
- Dry it carefully to prevent the proliferation of mold and bacteria during the winter period.
- Remove the dust filters and clean any impurities.
- Remove and sanitize the evaporative panels using demineralized water to remove dust and encrustations.
- Descale the cooler, ensuring that the internal water distribution pipes are clean and there are no obstructions in the water distributor to the evaporative panels.
- Carefully check the correct operation of all components.
- Reposition the evaporative panels and dust filters.
- Close any air adjustment dampers and cover the cooler with the appropriate cover: the unit is thus protected from the elements and heat loss from the building is avoided during the winter months.
Maintenance of water-based evaporative coolers must be carried out by qualified personnel who, through targeted actions, will be able to guarantee maximum efficiency. For this reason, we recommend contacting expert technicians only.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the maintenance of evaporative coolers is a fundamental factor in ensuring correct operation, maximum efficiency, and durability over time. Regular maintenance, as described in this complete guide, can provide numerous benefits:
- Improved energy efficiency: a well-maintained evaporative cooler consumes less water and energy, allowing for savings on utility bills.
- Greater comfort: a well-maintained cooler provides fresh and clean air, free of dust, bacteria, and mold, which will help protect the health and safety of personnel.
- Extended lifespan: regular maintenance prevents component wear and extends the useful life of the cooler.
- Prevention of breakdowns: maintenance helps identify and resolve small problems before they become serious and costly failures.
Rely on our experts for the maintenance of your evaporative cooler!
Our team of qualified technicians is at your disposal to perform a complete check of your cooler and to guarantee maximum efficiency for the entire summer season. Don't wait any longer, contact us now!
