How To Clean Out Window Air Conditioner

Let'south be honest.

Window Air Conditioners aren't fun to prepare up.

They're big, bulky, and need to be sat on a pretty thin window frame. Removing them isn't exactly an attractive proposition.

All of that said – they do need cleaned! A dirty air conditioner is only going to cause you lot problems. Dust problems, air quality bug, energy bill problems… you'll take 99 problems and that window air-conditioning will exist virtually of them.

Then can we clean a window air conditioner without the hassle of removing them? You bet. In brusk:

How To Clean A Mounted Window Air Conditioner:

1. Turn it off. Disconnect entirely from the wall.
2. Remove the filter.Soak in warm soapy water.
3. Remove the case. Wipe downward with warm soapy h2o. This includes whatever detachable framing.
4. Vacuum and wipe down. Any major areas that need some serious attention.
5. Spray with warm soapy water.All over the interior – specially the fins. (Water is OK, but don't use force).
6. Softly brush/comb down the fins. Remove equally much dirt/grime as possible. Don't push on them, though!
7. Exit everything to dry, so reassemble.Employ your user manual if you get stuck.

At to the lowest degree, that'due south the short version!

If you're not in a rush, in that location's plenty of more particular that's worth taking annotation of. Read on for the full guide.

Benefits of a Clean Window Air Conditioner

Before doing any kind of job or 'adult' task, it's worth remembering why we're putting the endeavor in.

Like every major appliances, air conditioners degrade over fourth dimension. They get dirty, their filters clog upward, and their generally efficiency drops as a result. Merely don't worry. It'due south totally natural.

All your window air conditioner needs is a footling fleck of dearest and care to really polish. Merely similar us humans!

Having a clean air conditioner isn't but satisfying. It as well means that:

• You lot'll have cleaner air. With less irritants for allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
• Your air will smell fresher.Of a sudden removing the faint musk of air conditioner mold and dust will get out your air feeling fresher and cleaner.
• It'll run quieter.A muddy auto needs to piece of work harder to give the aforementioned result. By reducing it's workload, your air conditioner will be much more than efficient. Meaning the ac should run quieter.
• You'll employ less energy.As above, with a more efficient Air conditioning comes lower free energy bills.
• It'll final for longer. With less stress on the car, you lot'll do good from a longer, healthier air conditioner lifespan.

Ready to begin? And so let's get started!

Setting Up

Here'south a quick list of things you should set. Just like with cooking a repast, it's easier to have everything in one place rather than running effectually equally you work!

• A bucket or nearby sink filled with warm soapy water
• A vacuum with a soft brush zipper
• An actual soft brush or comb
• A spray bottle with warm water + 2 drops of detergent or bleach
• Cloths or a small tower yous can get dingy
• Paper to lay down nether the AC and where you'll be working
• A screwdriver
• A minor tray to identify screws/small parts in
• Your user manual (Lost it? Just Google your model + 'manual pdf')
• Protective gloves (for bleach and sharp fins)
• Optional: A Fin Comb
• Optional: Can of compressed air

Try to detach whatever you lot tin – including the frame fins.

Cleaning Your Window Air Conditioner

Allow's go started with a full deep clean. Since you've taken the fourth dimension to wait this upward on the cyberspace, I imagine that AC is pretty dirty! We'll cover monthly check-ups afterward.

And so, is information technology possible to clean a window air conditioner without removing it? Yes, it'south possible. Information technology won't be quite as good (or straightforward) as dismantling information technology completely. Merely information technology's more than than possible – and tin can still give you a huge boost in performance and air quality.

Pace by step. Allow's exercise this together.

1.  Disconnect Totally. Take the plug out of the wall. Done? Woohoo! Pace i complete. Dandy going.
2. Remove the Filter. This should come out hands. If information technology's washable, great – get it soaking in a basin of warm soapy water. If it'south disposable? Get your replacement ready.
3. Remove the Instance.Take out the screws and identify them somewhere easy to call up. Take off the forepart grille at least – besides as whatever other components that you tin remove. Especially the back grille, any removable condensation drain, and any parts of the framing you can easily go off. Again, soak all of these in warm soapy water and exit to sit.
4. Vacuum & Wipe.Take your vacuum and get any obvious balls of dust and dirty out of in that location. Accept a slightly clammy cloth and do an initial wipe over any obvious areas (i.east. early on mold patches).
5. Spray.Using the spray bottle (+ ii drops of detergent), spray over every interior surface you'll be able to wipe down. Peculiarly the fins. Don't worry – air conditioners are fabricated to handle h2o. They're likewise dehumidifiers, after all.
6. Wipe Exteriors. While the interior soaks in spray, we tin can at present wipe down the exterior. Accept each role and give it a good going over with a towel or a cloth. In one case clean, leave out to dry.
7. Brush Downward. Back to the interior. Take the soft castor and gently brush downward the cooling fins and coils. Try your best not to push these to either side. Only go upward and downwardly. Use a fin rummage if you lot have one (don't worry if you don't). You can also use a can of compressed air to become at any nooks and crannies.
8. Wipe Interiors.Lastly, give the soaked interiors a good wipe downward with a wet cloth. Pretty much whatsoever surface you can get your hands on – especially the fins and fan blades. Get equally much as you can out of there – and then leave everything to dry.
9. Reassemble.Put each piece back together in the order y'all took information technology off. Non certain? Don't worry – consult the user manual (or just give it a shot!)
10. Written report Upward.Last up – read our section on window ac best practices beneath to continue your air conditioner at it's best!

And at that place nosotros take it. 10 uncomplicated steps to clean success. Step 10 is especially of import, of course.

Monthly Check-Ups

For a monthly check upward, information technology'due south super simple. Once yous've got a clean window air conditioner, it only needs a check once a month or then. All y'all need to do is requite the filter a clean, empty out the condensation tray, and have a quick inspection of the Air-conditioning. If at all looks good from the outside, and so great!

If you suspect you lot smell mold or spot anything out of the ordinary, just accept the case off and have a look. Information technology'll only take a infinitesimal. Follow up with whatever spot-cleaning that's necessary.

Hey, presto! All skillful.

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Rather see this process in video format? Here's a keen one by Becky's Homestead. She does take this outside, but you tin still use the aforementioned procedure (peradventure just without the hose!)

Window Air Conditioner Best Practices

Now that you've got a squeaky clean window air conditioner, let's brand certain it stays at it'south best.

Follow these quick tips to make certain y'all get the most out of your unit of measurement.

• Go along the filter clean! Monthly cleaning should be fine for this, simply do more as necessary if it'due south a tough ol' season for your unit. If you're shopping for a new one, keep your eye out for HEPA-certified filters. They're much better for anyone with allergies (and any lovers of make clean air).
• Keep the fins directly.During and after any deep cleans, keep the cooling fins every bit straight as possible. These are used to cool the air, and should exist running straight up and down.
• Keep it on!The more you utilise the window air conditioner, the less adventure of mold build up there is. (No, I don't work for the energy company!) Basically, moisture breeds mold – especially stale moisture. If the AC is sitting on the window on a damp mean solar day, that'southward when mold will start to pitter-patter upwards. Effort to have the Air conditioning shut away if you're non going to exist using it.
• Keep it in the shade.An air conditioner will be suffering if left in the sun. Where possible, effort to mountain information technology on a window that gets the most shade.
• If in doubt, consider a service.If your Air-conditioning hasn't been performing and you tin't find out why, consider hiring a professional. 1 quick dismantle, clean, and reassemble might be all you need to get the Air conditioning feeling brand new again.
• Store it well.When not in use, keep the Ac in a cool , dry out space. If it's over-exposed to the elements, yous're looking at accelerated onset of rust and other bug.

Window AC Cleaning FAQ's

Is A Dingy Window Air Conditioner Bad?

Yep! A dirty window air conditioner can injure you lot in a lot of means. It tin can lower the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner, and increase the wear and tear on it. The clay and mold will lead to the foul smelling air, and the spreading of dust/dander can aggravate your allergies.

Can I Spray Water on my Air Conditioner?

Yes! Air conditioners are sturdy appliances, and they also deal with wet in the air. This doesn't mean soak the unit – but spraying to wipe down is absolutely fine and even encouraged. See our cleaning notes for more detail.

How Frequently Should I Clean A Window Air Conditioner?

The most of import fourth dimension to make clean a window air conditioner is when you take it out of the closet for summer. That's when the dust, grime, and mold might have built up. Once information technology'due south had a spring clean, a quick cheque-upwards every month or two (depending on how much you're using it) is more than enough.

Decision

Window air conditioners can exist a gamechanger for the summer.

But no-one wants smelly, dusty air. Nor a hot, overworked air conditioner.

I promise this quick guide has helped give you lot guidance on keeping that baby clean, happy, and running well.

If nosotros've helped you out, delight consider checking out some of our other manufactures! The best fashion to support or thank us is by spending more time on the website.

Thank you and then much for reading, and I promise yous have a nifty day.

Best wishes,

-Craig

Source: https://applianceanalysts.com/clean-window-ac-without-removal/

Posted by: folkesthervid.blogspot.com

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