How To Clean A Digital Window Air Conditioner

Let'due south be honest.

Window Air Conditioners aren't fun to fix.

They're large, beefy, and demand to exist saturday on a pretty thin window frame. Removing them isn't exactly an attractive proposition.

All of that said – they do need cleaned! A dingy air conditioner is only going to cause you problems. Dust issues, air quality problems, energy bill issues… you'll have 99 problems and that window ac volition be about of them.

And so 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 example. Wipe downwardly with warm soapy water. This includes any 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, only don't use force).
6. Softly brush/rummage down the fins. Remove as much dirt/grime as possible. Don't push on them, though!
7. Leave everything to dry, then reassemble.Use your user manual if you get stuck.

At least, that's the short version!

If y'all're not in a rush, in that location'southward plenty of more than detail that's worth taking note of. Read on for the full guide.

Benefits of a Clean Window Air Conditioner

Before doing any kind of chore or 'adult' task, information technology'south worth remembering why we're putting the effort in.

Similar every major appliances, air conditioners degrade over time. They get muddied, their filters clog upwards, and their by and large efficiency drops as a consequence. But don't worry. It'due south totally natural.

All your window air conditioner needs is a little flake of honey and care to really shine. But like united states humans!

Having a clean air conditioner isn't merely satisfying. It also means that:

• You'll have cleaner air. With less irritants for allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
• Your air will smell fresher.Suddenly removing the faint musk of air conditioner mold and grit will get out your air feeling fresher and cleaner.
• It'll run quieter.A dirty machine needs to work harder to give the aforementioned effect. By reducing it's workload, your air conditioner will exist much more than efficient. Meaning the ac should run quieter.
• You'll utilize less energy.As above, with a more efficient Air-conditioning comes lower energy bills.
• It'll last for longer. With less stress on the machine, you'll benefit from a longer, healthier air conditioner lifespan.

Ready to brainstorm? Then let's get started!

Setting Up

Here's a quick listing of things you should set up. But like with cooking a meal, information technology'south easier to take everything in one identify rather than running around as you work!

• A saucepan or nearby sink filled with warm soapy h2o
• A vacuum with a soft brush attachment
• An bodily soft brush or comb
• A spray canteen with warm water + two drops of detergent or bleach
• Cloths or a small-scale tower you can get muddied
• Newspaper to lay down under the Air-conditioning and where you lot'll be working
• A screwdriver
• A small tray to place 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 disassemble whatever you lot can – including the frame fins.

Cleaning Your Window Air Conditioner

Let'south get started with a full deep clean. Since y'all've taken the time to wait this up on the internet, I imagine that Air conditioning is pretty muddy! We'll cover monthly cheque-ups subsequently.

So, is it possible to clean a window air conditioner without removing it? Yeah, it's possible. It won't exist quite as good (or straightforward) every bit dismantling it completely. Simply it's more than than possible – and tin still give you a huge boost in performance and air quality.

Step past step. Allow's do this together.

1.  Disconnect Totally. Have the plug out of the wall. Washed? Woohoo! Footstep ane complete. Great going.
2. Remove the Filter. This should come out easily. If information technology's washable, great – become it soaking in a bowl of warm soapy h2o. If information technology's disposable? Go your replacement prepare.
3. Remove the Instance.Take out the screws and place them somewhere easy to remember. Take off the front end grille at to the lowest degree – besides as whatsoever other components that you can remove. Peculiarly the dorsum grille, any removable condensation drain, and any parts of the framing you can easily get off. Again, soak all of these in warm soapy water and get out to sit.
4. Vacuum & Wipe.Take your vacuum and become any obvious assurance of dust and muddy out of in that location. Have a slightly clammy cloth and practice an initial wipe over any obvious areas (i.e. early mold patches).
5. Spray.Using the spray bottle (+ 2 drops of detergent), spray over every interior surface you'll be able to wipe down. Especially the fins. Don't worry – air conditioners are fabricated to handle water. They're likewise dehumidifiers, after all.
6. Wipe Exteriors. While the interior soaks in spray, nosotros can now wipe down the exterior. Take each part and requite it a adept going over with a towel or a cloth. In one case make clean, exit out to dry.
7. Brush Downwards. Back to the interior. Have the soft brush and gently castor downwardly the cooling fins and coils. Try your best not to push these to either side. Only go upwardly and down. Use a fin comb if you take one (don't worry if yous don't). You tin can also employ a can of compressed air to get at any nooks and crannies.
8. Wipe Interiors.Lastly, give the soaked interiors a good wipe down with a wet cloth. Pretty much any surface you can get your hands on – especially the fins and fan blades. Get as much as you lot can out of there – and so leave everything to dry.
9. Reassemble.Put each piece back together in the lodge you took it off. Non sure? Don't worry – consult the user manual (or just give information technology a shot!)
10. Study Up.Last up – read our section on window ac best practices below to keep your air conditioner at information technology's best!

And there we take it. 10 simple steps to clean success. Step 10 is peculiarly of import, of course.

Monthly Bank check-Ups

For a monthly cheque upward, it's super simple. One time y'all've got a make clean window air conditioner, it only needs a cheque once a month or so. All you lot demand to do is give the filter a make clean, empty out the condensation tray, and accept a quick inspection of the Air conditioning. If at all looks good from the outside, then great!

If yous suspect you olfactory property mold or spot annihilation out of the ordinary, just accept the case off and take a look. Information technology'll just take a minute. Follow upward with any spot-cleaning that'south necessary.

Hey, presto! All good.

---

Rather see this process in video format? Here'southward a slap-up one by Becky'due south Homestead. She does accept this outside, but yous tin can still use the same process (maybe just without the hose!)

Window Air Conditioner Best Practices

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

Follow these quick tips to make certain you get the virtually out of your unit.

• Keep the filter clean! Monthly cleaning should exist fine for this, only do more equally necessary if information technology'due south a tough ol' season for your unit. If you're shopping for a new 1, keep your centre out for HEPA-certified filters. They're much better for anyone with allergies (and whatever lovers of make clean air).
• Proceed the fins straight.During and afterward whatever deep cleans, keep the cooling fins as straight as possible. These are used to cool the air, and should exist running straight upward and down.
• Go along it on!The more than you use the window air conditioner, the less chance of mold build up there is. (No, I don't work for the energy company!) Basically, moisture breeds mold – peculiarly dried wet. If the Air-conditioning is sitting on the window on a damp twenty-four hour period, that's when mold will offset to creep up. Try to have the AC shut away if you're not going to exist using information technology.
• Continue information technology in the shade.An air conditioner will be suffering if left in the sun. Where possible, effort to mount it on a window that gets the most shade.
• If in doubt, consider a service.If your Air-conditioning hasn't been performing and you can't detect out why, consider hiring a professional person. 1 quick dismantle, clean, and reassemble might be all you need to get the AC feeling brand new once more.
• Shop it well.When not in apply, keep the AC in a cool , dry infinite. If it's over-exposed to the elements, you're looking at accelerated onset of rust and other problems.

Window Air conditioning Cleaning FAQ'southward

Is A Dirty Window Air Conditioner Bad?

Yep! A dirty window air conditioner can hurt y'all in a lot of means. It tin lower the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner, and increase the wear and tear on it. The dirt and mold will pb to the foul smelling air, and the spreading of grit/dander tin aggravate your allergies.

Tin I Spray Water on my Air Conditioner?

Aye! Air conditioners are sturdy appliances, and they likewise bargain with moisture in the air. This doesn't mean soak the unit of measurement – but spraying to wipe downwardly is absolutely fine and even encouraged. See our cleaning notes for more item.

How Often Should I Clean A Window Air Conditioner?

The most important time to clean a window air conditioner is when you take information technology out of the cupboard for summertime. That's when the grit, grime, and mold might have built up. Once information technology'south had a jump clean, a quick check-upwardly every month or two (depending on how much yous're using information technology) is more than enough.

Conclusion

Window air conditioners can exist a gamechanger for the summertime.

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

I hope this quick guide has helped give y'all guidance on keeping that baby clean, happy, and running well.

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

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you lot have a great day.

Best wishes,

-Craig

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

Posted by: lewisthened.blogspot.com

Share this post