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Evaporative Cooler Troubleshooting Guide
Before you book a technician, a few simple checks can solve some evaporative cooler problems or tell you how urgent the fault is. Here is what to check, what to leave alone, and when to call us.
- Not cooling, leaking, smells & noise
- Safe checks you can do from inside
- Spring start-up and autumn shutdown
- Know when it is time to call
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Leave the roof to the professionals
Every check in this guide can be done from inside your home or at the switchboard. Evaporative coolers sit on the roof and combine water with mains electricity, so climbing up to inspect one is dangerous without the right equipment.
If you see water near electrical fittings, smell burning or the cooler keeps tripping the power, turn it off and call us. These are not do-it-yourself jobs.
Turn the cooler off and call us if:
- Water is coming through the ceiling
- You smell burning or see smoke
- The safety switch keeps tripping
- The unit looks damaged after a storm
- Water is overflowing on the roof
- There is a loud grinding or banging noise
Common problems and what to check
Blowing warm air
- Make sure the wall control is set to Cool, not Fan only
- Check the water supply tap to the cooler is turned on
- Allow a few minutes for the pads to soak after starting
- Open a window or door in the rooms you are cooling
Call us if: Still warm after 10 minutes. The pump or water distribution has usually failed.
Water pump repairNot turning on
- Check the wall control has power and is not showing a fault
- Check the circuit breaker or safety switch in your switchboard
- Reset only once. If it trips again, leave it off
Call us if: It will not start or keeps tripping the power. This needs a licensed technician.
Breakdown repairsLeaking water inside
- Turn the cooler off at the wall control straight away
- Turn off the cooler's water supply if you can reach it safely
- Do not use light fittings near the leak; place a bucket underneath
Call us if: Any water is coming through the ceiling. Treat it as urgent.
24/7 emergency repairsWeak airflow
- Make sure the winter covers are removed from ceiling vents
- Check every outlet and damper in the rooms you want cooled is open
- Try a higher fan speed on the wall control
Call us if: Airflow is still weak. Blocked pads or a motor fault are likely.
Cooler servicingMusty or swampy smell
- Run the cooler regularly in hot weather; standing water goes stale
- Note whether the smell appears at start-up or all the time
Call us if: The smell persists. The tank needs draining and sanitising and the drain valve checking.
Cooler servicingSticky or humid inside
- Open windows or doors on the far side of the home so warm air can escape
- Close windows in rooms you are not cooling to direct the airflow
- On very humid days, use fan mode or a lower setting
Call us if: It is humid even with good airflow. The water settings or pads may need adjusting.
Cooler repairsNew or loud noises
- Note the type of noise: grinding, squealing, rattling or humming
- Turn the cooler off if you hear grinding or banging
Call us if: Grinding, squealing or banging. Bearings, belts or the fan usually need attention.
Cooler repairsWater running or overflowing
- Turn off the cooler's water supply
- Check for water running from the roof down the downpipes or gutter
Call us if: Water keeps running. A float or inlet valve is usually stuck open.
Cooler repairsFault showing on the controller
- Write down the fault or code shown on the screen
- Turn the cooler off at the switchboard for one minute, then restart once
- Check the water supply is on, as many faults relate to water
Call us if: The fault comes back. Tell us the code and the brand when you call.
Find your brandStart-up and shutdown checklists
Spring start-up
- Remove the winter covers from ceiling vents
- Turn the cooler's water supply back on
- Run a test on Cool and check for leaks or smells
- Book a professional service before the first heatwave
Autumn shutdown
- Fit winter covers to ceiling vents to stop cold draughts
- Have the tank drained so water does not sit all winter
- Turn off the cooler's water supply
- Book an autumn shutdown service if you want it done for you
Prefer us to do it? Our maintenance plans include a spring start-up and an autumn shutdown visit.
Find your brand
Our technicians work on every major evaporative cooler brand sold in Australia, in rooftop, wall-mounted and commercial models.
Not sure of your brand? Look for the badge on the side of the roof unit, or send us a photo and we will identify it for you.
View all brandsAreas we cover
Evaporative cooler repairs and servicing across all of metropolitan Melbourne, with local technicians in every region.
- Melbourne CBD
- Bentleigh
- Berwick
- Box Hill
- Brighton
- Camberwell
- Craigieburn
- Cranbourne
- Dandenong
- Doncaster
- Frankston
- Glen Waverley
- Hoppers Crossing
- Narre Warren
- Point Cook
- Preston
- Reservoir
- Ringwood
- Sunbury
- Werribee
Troubleshooting questions
Why is my evaporative cooler blowing warm air?
Check the control is on Cool, the water supply is on and a window is open. If it is still warm after 10 minutes, the pump has usually failed or the pads are not getting wet, and a technician should check it.
Should I open windows when using an evaporative cooler?
Yes. Evaporative coolers push fresh air in, so the warm, humid air needs somewhere to escape. Open windows or doors on the side of the home away from where you want to cool.
Is it safe to go on the roof to check my cooler?
We do not recommend it. Roofs are slippery and high, and the cooler contains water and mains electricity. Leave anything on the roof to a licensed technician.
Why does my evaporative cooler smell?
Usually because water has been sitting in the tank, allowing algae or bacteria to grow. The tank needs draining and sanitising, and the drain valve should be checked.
How often should an evaporative cooler be serviced?
Once a year, ideally in spring before summer. Homes with hard water or heavy use benefit from a mid-season check too.
What do the fault codes on my controller mean?
Codes differ between brands, models and controllers. Note the code and your cooler's brand and call us, and we will tell you what it means and fix the cause.
Cooler not working? Get it fixed today.
Send us your details and a local technician will call you back shortly. Prefer to talk now? We answer the phone 24/7.
- Same-day evaporative cooler repairs across Melbourne
- 24/7 emergency call-outs, including weekends
- Fixed price quoted before any work starts
- Licensed technicians for all major brands
