Swamp Cooler Smells Like Fish

Nothing is better than fresh air and a comfortable environment. Sometimes you feel that there is an unpleasant and dubious odor coming from your cooler. That is not a big concern. You can make your swamp cooler odor pleasant and avoid any swamp cooler smell by reading this article.

Here we will discuss the causes of the smell from your cooler and how you can overcome this concern.

The cooling pads, which are typically saturated with water to produce cooling, may have developed mold and / or mildew. When the system runs, it may be emitting this fishy or moldy smell, as a result. This is especially common if you have been running the swamp cooler constantly, and water has been continuously used.

Ways to Help Deodorize Your Swamp Cooler

Perhaps you have already replaced your swamp cooler pads this year, but are still experiencing some level of odor. Or you might feel that since summer will be winding down soon you might not want to replace your pads twice this year. There are a few things you can do to deodorize your evaporative cooler that may help reduce odors.

  • Purchase a swamp cooler deodorizer – You can purchase a swamp cooler deodorizer to place in your swamp cooler from most home improvement stores. These are specifically made for coolers. If you need help accessing your cooler to install this deodorizer please call us or another HVAC professional. These deodorizes can’t eliminate the fishy smell completely but can reduce the odor if it is not that bad.
  • Let your pads dry – If the temperatures are easing a bit you may want to run your cooler with the fan only to allow the pads to dry. If it is comfortable enough to be able to run the fan only for a few days, this can allow the pads to dry and can help reduce odors. We know this depends on the temperature outside and your comfort range. Again, the only way to completely eliminate the odor is to replace the pads.
  • Fishy Odor from Bacteria or Mold

    The most common reason for a fishy odor is usually bacteria or mold build-up and microscopic algae. All of these come from spores in the air that find their way on air currents into the unit. Cleaning the unit will usually remove the fishy odor resulting from the growth of these spores.

  • Carefully remove the outside panels.
  • Take out the fiber or synthetic pads.
  • Drain the water from your overflow pan.
  • Brush out any loose debris and visible dirt.
  • Use soap and water to clean the overflow pan (that pan at the bottom) including the drain plug, and anything you can safely clean – do not allow the motor, fan belt, or mechanical parts to become wet.
  • Rinse the pan thoroughly, then fill it with white vinegar and let it sit for at least an hour – you may need to cycle the vinegar through the system to clean inside the water distributor tubes.
  • Drain the vinegar and rinse thoroughly again with clean water. Cycle water through the tubes if you cycled vinegar in the previous step.
  • Replace the pads with new pads if needed.
  • Reassemble the unit.
  • Evaporative Cooler Stinks:

    When you use your swamp cooler for a long time without any care and cleanliness, then due to the mold, algae, and bacteria, your cooler can generate moldy smells and different stinks. With the proper care and replacing the water and pads, you can overcome this issue.

    FAQ

    How do I get rid of the fishy smell in my swamp cooler?

    Ways to Help Deodorize Your Swamp Cooler
    1. Purchase a swamp cooler deodorizer – You can purchase a swamp cooler deodorizer to place in your swamp cooler from most home improvement stores. …
    2. Let your pads dry – If the temperatures are easing a bit you may want to run your cooler with the fan only to allow the pads to dry.

    Can I run vinegar through my swamp cooler?

    Add a cup of vinegar to the cooler pan and let the vinegar cycle through the system for up to an hour. This will eliminate odors, mold, mildew and some corrosion, calcium deposits and other types of build-up. Repeat one to two times a season or as needed.

    Why does my air conditioner smell like fish?

    Fish. When certain plastic components overheat and melt, they give off a pungent fishy or eggy type smell. If you smell a fishy, eggy smell coming from your air conditioning unit, it could be that some of your plastic components are melting.

    Why does my new swamp cooler smell?

    When installed correctly, our evaporative media products allow complete molecular evaporation of water ensuring a pure, clean stream of air. When new, it is possible that a small amount of aromatic molecules may evaporate along with the water molecules, which could be detected as a slight smell.

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