how to install a draft dodger evaporative cooler diffuser winter cover this instructional video has been produced by your weatherization Prodi learn etwork members it is to show our homeowner clients how to install a draft dodger evaporative cooler diffuser winter cover if you have an evaporative cooler installed in your home the cooler diffuser and duct system can be a large source of air leakage in your home during the winter months since warm air rises during the winter months significant amounts of your heated air may be leaking from your home through your cooler diffuser cooler duct system and even your evaporative cooling equipment installed on the roof with this air leakage you are also wasting significant amounts of your hard-earned energy dollars by installing a draft dodger evaporative cooler diffuser cover on the inside of your home over the cooler diffuser and doing some air sealing work you can reduce your air and energy leakage we recommend always having your weatherization pro home performance professional first measure to determine the actual amount of leakage of your evaporative cooling system using a blower door an infrared camera and/or air leakage detector or smoke pencil you should be present during the blower door assessment so you can see where and how much your evaporative cooling air distribution system is leaking air and energy this video will show you how to air seal your evaporative cooler diffuser and duct system using a draft dodger winter cover please consult with your local weatherization Prodi ler or Home Performance contractor if you need help in determining what size of draft-dodger winter cover you need for the evaporative cooler diffuser in your home the tools and materials you will need are draft dodger evaporative cooler diffuser winter cover paper type dust mask respirator and safety glasses or goggles nitrile gloves low odor latex caulk white tape measure utility knife or scissors stable six-foot step ladder or stepstool several damp cleaning rags ordering your draft-dodger evaporative cooler winter cover draft dodgers are designed to cover step down type evaporative cooler diffusers is very important that you order the properly sized draft dodger winter cover for your evaporative cooler diffuser using a tape measure measure both the outside dimensions of the flanges on your evaporative cooler diffuser and the inside dimensions of the duct diffuser box write these dimensions down check our weatherization program website or call your local weatherization Prodi ler member to order the exact properly sized draft dodger winter cover we recommend also installing a canvas winter cover over your evaporative cooling equipment on the roof to protect the equipment during the harsh winter months once you receive your draft dodger remove it from the package and make certain it fits over the outside of your evaporative cooler diffuser as you begin the installation of your draft dodger you should take all normal necessary safety precautions and use good safety practices you should always wear a respirator or dusk mask safety glasses or goggles and nitrile gloves as you're installing your draft dodger before you begin installing the winter cover on your evaporative cooler diffuser you should clean the dust and dirt from all surfaces of the ceiling around the diffuser with a clean damp cleaning rag and dry the surfaces with a drying rag or towel we recommend air sealing your evaporative cooler diffuser before you install your draft dodger to push by caulking around the outside edges of the flanges wear the diffuser fits against the ceiling your draft dodger comes with magnetic strips all around the outside edges of the winter cover the magnetic strips are strong enough to hold the draft dodger to most metal or steel cooler diffusers many cooler diffusers these days are made of aluminum or plastic so the magnetic strips will not hold the winter cover in place for these applications or if you want to get a great air seal any time we recommend purchasing a small roll of the one inch white poly tape and taping the edges of the draft dodger to the edges of the evaporative cooler diffuser and the sealing when your draft-dodger winter cover has been installed and you have inspected your own work you may dispose of the nitrile gloves and rags in your normal plastic garbage bags and containers after completion of your project be sure and clean the entire worksite and call your weatherization pro home performance dealer to come back and retest for air leakage with their blower door and other Home Performance diagnostic equipment next spring or summer as you're ready to use your evaporative cooling system to cool your home you may remove the draft-dodger and store it for the cooling season months special note for maximum energy savings and comfort we highly recommend air sealing and adding the Department of Energy recommended levels of insulation in your attic area before insulating your attic we recommend that you have your home performance dealer contractor inspect all duct work on your evaporative cooling duct system they may suggest that the cooler duct be air sealed completely using a two-component air sealing and insulating foam such as Honeywell innovate pro polyurethane foam just two inches of this insulating foam will result in an r-value of 12 to 13 on the outside of your duct system and will allow no air leaks so all the cooled air from your evaporative cooler will be delivered inside your home living environment for more information or to purchase your draft-dodger evaporative cooler winter cover contact your local weatherization Prodi leur contractor or call our national weatherization prohet quarters in Denver Colorado at three zero three nine seven eight 1500 you may also return to the home pages of our weatherization program website and contact us Monica Lee you