How to Clean & Maintain Air Cooler Pads

If your air cooler isn’t cooling as it used to and you cannot pinpoint any fault in the machinery, the issue is likely the lack of maintenance of your cooler’s cooling pads. 

Most people focus on the air cooler’s motor, blades, water tank, etc., but forget about the part that actually cools the air i.e. the cooling pads.

Over time dust, dirt, and moisture can build up inside the pads. This significantly reduces a desert air cooler's cooling capacity and efficiency.

The good news is that cleaning and maintaining your pads is easy. Let’s first understand the role of cooling pads in a desert air cooler.

Why Are Cooling Pads So Important In An Air Cooler?

Think of the pads as the heart of your desert air cooler. Here's how they work:

1. The submersible pump evenly distributes water on the cooling pads. 

2. When hot air from the external environment passes through the wet cooling pads,it gets cooled down through evaporation.

3. The cooler’s fan then pushes this cool air into your space. 

What Happens When Cooling Pads Aren't Maintained Properly?

Poorly maintained or dirty cooling pads can lead to problems like:

• Cooling Efficiency Drops: When cooling pads are dirty, their water-absorbing capacity can significantly reduce, which automatically contributes to reduced cooling. 

• Unpleasant Odour: Cooling pads can give off a foul smell when moisture, dirt, and dust get locked in for a long time. This unpleasant smell can significantly reduce the comfort level in your space.

• The air cooler has to work harder: Dirty and clogged cooling pads can disrupt air entry from the outer environment, which means the cooler has to work a lot harder to suck in the air. This increases the chances of wear & tear on the cooler’s motor.   

• Shorter Pad Life: Not taking care of your cooling pads properly makes them wear out faster. And you will have to replace them sooner. 

How Often Should You Clean Air Cooler Pads?

One should clean their desert air cooler’s cooling pads every few weeks during the summer season. Regular cleaning really helps in reducing stubborn dust buildup.

To know if your cooler’s cooling pads need cleaning, watch out for signs of reduced cooling, foul damp smell and dirty water. If you see any of these signs, it is time to clean them. 

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Clean Air Cooler Pads

Cleaning the pads is easier than you think. Here’s a simple guide on how to clean your air cooler’s cooling pads properly:

Step 1 - Switch off the cooler and remove the power plug

Always turn off the cooler before you clean it. This keeps both you and the cooler safe.

Step 2 - Open the side grills and take out the cooling pads

Thermocool air coolers have openable side grills to ease the cleaning and maintenance process. So, you can easily remove the cooling pads.

Step 3 - Brush off any dust

Use a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust from the cooling pad’s surface.

Step 4 - Rinse with Clean Water

Wash the pads with clean water, preferably with a hose. This helps to properly remove any dust, dirt, and mineral buildup. 

Step 5 - Use a Mild Cleaning Solution if Needed

If the pads are very dirty, you can also use a mild detergent. You may also spray them with a solution that has equal parts of vinegar and water, and rinse them after a few minutes. 

Step 6 - Allow Pads to Dry

Let the pads dry completely in sunlight before you put them back. This stops any moisture buildup. 

Step 7 - Reinstall

Place the pads back on the grill carefully and correctly, and your cooler is now good to go. Enjoy icy cool cooling!

Why Are Honeycomb Cooling Pads Superior?

Modern air coolers like Thermocool’s entire range of coolers are equipped with honeycomb cooling pads. As the name suggests, these pads are shaped like a honeybee’s hive and hold water like a hive stores honey.

These pads are better because they have a high water retention capacity, and they also let air pass through more easily. They are also easier to maintain than traditional cooling pads. 

Let’s better understand the difference between traditional cooling pads and honeycomb cooling pads.

Wood Wool Cooling Pads Vs Honeycomb Cooling Pads: A Quick Comparison

Thermocool’s Air Cooler Range

At Thermocool, we believe that the maintenance aspect of an air cooler is as important as the cooler’s cooling performance. We also understand that users want solutions that are easy to take care of and require minimal to no effort. That's why our coolers are designed to make maintenance much easier.

All our air coolers, like the Avatar Plus, Turbo, Tiara, Veron, Boss, among others, come with:

• Honeycomb Cooling Pads

• Durable Build

• Openable Side Grills

• Strong Airflow

• Inverter Compatibility

• ISI Mark Certification

• 12-Month Warranty

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should Cooler Pads Be Replaced?

Yes, eventually. Even if you take care of them, the pads will wear out over time.

2. How regularly should one clean a desert air cooler’s cooling pads?

You should clean your desert cooler’s cooling pads every 15-20 days.

3. How long do honeycomb cooling pads last?

Honeycomb cooling pads can last for 2-3 years easily.

Conclusion

Now that we are at the end of this blog, we can safely conclude that a few minutes of maintaining your cooler’s cooling pads can help improve airflow, enhance cooling, extend pad life and reduce overall wear & tear. 

Choose Thermcool Air Coolers that come with honeycomb cooling pads for their ease of maintenance and powerful cooling, because when the pads work better, the entire cooler works better!