How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Swamp Cooler?
Typical Range:
$103 - $294
Typical Range:
$103 - $294
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 1,153 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data
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Published January 10, 2022
Written by HomeAdvisor.The average cost to repair a swamp cooler is $192, or between $103 and $294. The total price can be as low as $55 or as high as $600. Labor varies but will run between $50 and $70 per hour. Materials can range in cost from $1 to $600. The cost to replace your swamp cooler is between $40 and $3,450.
A swamp cooler produces effective cooling by combining water evaporation with a simple, reliable air-moving system. Like any home system, you will occasionally need to repair it.
Let's calculate cost data for you. Where are you located?
Where are you located?
National Average | $192 |
Typical Range | $103 - $294 |
Low End - High End | $50 - $588 |
Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 1,153 HomeAdvisor members.
Swamp Cooler Repair CostsSwamp cooler repairs average between $103 and $294, including labor. Some repairs you can do as DIY projects, but others will require a professional. If the number or price tag of repairs becomes too high, or significantly above this average, consider replacing the whole system.
Repairing your motor will run between $50 and $70. This is the hourly cost for a pro to repair the unit by:
adjusting the pulley
oiling the motor bearing
fixing wiring
Unless you are a skilled mechanic or electrician, a pro should complete this work. It may make more sense to completely replace the motor, depending on what’s broken and the cost of the repair.
A motor replacement costs anywhere from $50 to $600. Larger, more specialized, systems require more expensive motors.
The cost to replace the water pump will run from $15 to $480 depending on the type of unit you own. Sometimes you will need to replace the pump tube/hose as well, adding between $0.50 and $1 per foot to your total.
Float valves for evaporative coolers run between $5 and $16. The float valve is located next to the wall of your cooler. It can leak if the seal becomes cracked, dried, and damaged. You can repair it, but it’s almost equal to the cost of an entirely new float valve component.
Replacement pads or panels can run anywhere from $5 to $80 each. A pro can complete this work for a total of $65 to $100, including parts. Changing your own swamp cooler pads is a great DIY project that can save you the cost of labor. A single system can have anywhere from 1 to 6.
Type | Cost (each) | Lifetime* |
---|---|---|
Polyester | $8 - $35 | 1 season |
Aspen/fixed fiber | $5 - $40 | 1-2 years |
Rotating | $40 - $60 | 2-3 years |
Rigid/corrugated sheets | $50 - $80 | 4-6 years |
*Certain types of minerals in water and how frequently the system runs affects this total.
To replace the bearings in your swamp cooler, expect to pay between $5 and $20 each, not including labor. There are two common types:
Shaft: $5-$10
Spider: $10-$20
A new cooler belt will run between $5 to $10 for the part alone. A pro would charge another $50 to $70 to change it out for you.
New covers cost between $20 and $50.
Check your local hardware store for the swamp cooler part you need. If it is not available, try an online retailer, or contacting the manufacturer directly. Repair specialists can often get parts at a lower rate.
Spring start-up maintenance will run about $150 to $200 and includes:
Checking pads and motor
Replacing cracked belts
Cleaning and rust removal
Oiling and lubricating
Winterizing a swamp cooler will cost about $100 to $150, not including parts. This will save you maintenance during the following summer, extend the life of the unit, and will include:
Draining the unit
Cleaning out sediment and dirt
Changing pads
Attaching a cover
The cost to maintain your swamp cooler is between $50 and $500 per year. Maintenance includes seasonal preparations and replacing broken or malfunctioning parts as needed. Keeping your cooler in good shape can reduce the amount you will spend on repairs.
Check out these common problems and the potential reasoning behind the issue.
Motor Problems: Broken, bearings need oil, shorted wiring
Not Cooling: Humidity too high, not enough water, outside temp is too low
Not Blowing Air: Broken motor, bearings or belt needs replacement
Overheating: Dirty pad, broken motor, not enough water
Won’t Turn On: Tripped breaker or other electrical wiring problem
Leaking: Broken float valve, old or cracked tubing, tubes not sealed properly
Smells Like Burning: Dirty or clogged pad, motor overheating, not enough water
Not Pumping Water: Clogged tubing, broken float valve, broken water pump
Mildew smell: Dirty pads, dirty housing (standing water at bottom of unit)
Your swamp cooler will only work if:
Outside air is dry: <30% humidity.
Windows in the home are open so warm air can exit.
It gets enough water.
Be sure to check your circuit breaker and replace parts you can. If these do not fix the problem, contact a pro for a consultation.
If you have tried to replace parts in your swamp cooler and it has not fixed the problem, contact a professional to get an accurate diagnosis. Some repairs such as replacing the motor may be close to the price to replace your swamp cooler.
It will cost about $70 to $150 to have a pro remove a swamp cooler.
Swamp coolers will cost about $2 to run for 24 hours. To run a unit 24 hours a day, every day, for an entire month, it would cost roughly $60. In comparison, a central AC costs about $330 per month at this rate.
It costs roughly $20 per month to run a swamp cooler, but this total can vary. This accounts for about $5 in water and $15 in electricity, for a unit running 8 hours and using 80 gallons of water per day.
The amount of water a cooler will use depends on the humidity of the outside air, size of the unit, and frequency of use. Most units are somewhere between 90 to 450 gallons per month.
An evaporative cooler technician in your area can repair your unit. Be sure to get several quotes before choosing a pro.