The best advice is to do window air conditioner maintenance every month, and a deeper clean every six months. With a soft brush, some soap, and water, you can do the cleaning yourself. Window ACs need proper maintenance and attention, that is why we have written this article.
Of course, if the problems persist even after cleaning, the best course of action is to seek professional help. Do you want to learn more about it? Start reading this complete text about window AC maintenance! Understand why, how often, and how to do it!
Do Window Air Conditioners Need Maintenance?
Yes! Like any other appliance in your house, window air conditioners need to be maintained regularly.
Most of the work is just about cleaning the unit to ensure it will run smoothly, prolonging its lifespan, and making it work more efficiently while helping you save some money on your electricity bill.
How Often Should A Window Air Conditioner Be Cleaned?
It depends on your usage and the part of the system. The screen filter should be cleaned every month or so. The coils need cleaning once a year, and the condenser tray can go as needed.
However, professionals recommend replacing the filter after six months of usage. It is also a good idea to call a HVAC repair pro to take a look at your unit if you feel it is not cooling as fast or making some strange noise.
How To Do The Maintenance On A Window Air Conditioner? 6 Tips!
The best window air conditioner maintenance tips are to turn off your unit, gather the materials, clean the outside coils and fins, wash the filter, empty the tray, and check everything for wear.
Regularly doing this will ensure our window air conditioner works at 100% for a long time, also preventing premature damage and more complex and costly window AC repairs.
1. Turn Off Your Unit
The first and most important part of maintenance is to unplug or turn off the power going to the AC unit. The danger of an electric discharge is small but never zero. You will also be using water to clean, so better be safe than sorry.
2. Gather The Materials
To properly clean everything, you will need some tools and materials, as follows:
- a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment;
- a small soft brush (an old toothbrush works great);
- piece of rag or cloth;
- warm and soapy water with a neutral detergent;
- a screwdriver; and
- can of compressed air (optional, but can be very handy).
With everything on this list, you are now ready to start cleaning the AC parts!
3. Clean The Outside Coils And Fins
Using a soft brush, gently clean the outside coils and fins. You can also use the vacuum to aid, loosening the dust with the brush and capturing it, preventing the particles from returning to the air. It is a good idea to clean the outside parts of the unit, all grills, and small crevices with a cloth.
4. Wash The Filter
Check the filter inside the unit, it looks like a tray with plastic mesh. Brush it gently to remove most of the material and wash it using neutral detergent. Remember to let it dry before reinstalling it, or the unit can be damaged and blow smelly air.
5. Empty The Tray
Some units redirect water drip to the outside, but in many cases, they accumulate inside a tray. Remove and drain all the water from this tray, cleaning any precipitations that may have accumulated inside.
6. Check For Wears
During the whole process, check if you can see any damage in any part of the air conditioning: broken fins, holes in the filter, worn-out wires, etc. If you diagnose any AC problems, it is normal but must be addressed as soon as identified.
Did you find anything suspicious during your window AC maintenance check-up? Feel free to call the best air conditioning and cooling company in your area, with professionals who will give you the best quotes for the job.
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