Side Draft Swamp Cooler Covers
1 min read
Cold air still coming in after covering? Side louvers are probably open — you need a tall cover that wraps the intake panels, not a down-draft top-only profile.
Problem: Side Intakes Still Open
Side-draft portables pull air through large louvers on the left and right faces. A cover that only seals the top leaves both intakes exposed — drafts and debris get in exactly where you thought you were protected.
Solution: Identify and Wrap Side Draft
Large intake louvers on left/right; outlet on top or front.
- Use a side-draft profile — tall enough to wrap both intake faces
- Hem below the lowest louver edge, not mid-panel
- Route drawcord or strap under the caster frame so wind cannot lift the hem
- Do not substitute a down-draft cover — top seal alone fails on side intakes
Still Gaps at Corners?
Remeasure outside width and depth — pad dimensions are smaller than the cabinet. Wrong draft type with correct size still leaks.