Spring has officially sprung, and while many of us are still in the throes of winter weather, others are starting to prep for warmer weather. If you have a window air conditioner, that means take a little time to get it clean and running well. I have a window air conditioner in my office and when Fall rolls around, I usually just cover it up on the outside and forget about it until I need it again. Maybe you do the same, or maybe you live in a colder area and need to take it out of the window and store it for the Winter. Either way, taking the time to clean the unit will make it last longer, run more efficiently, and smell better. YouTube user MrJustDIY shows us how to pop the cover off and clean the filter, coils, and fins. Sure, it's a little bit of work. But it beats dealing with musty, moldy air and having to run the unit all the time just to keep things cool. How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner | coil cleaner (available at your local hardware store)To hire a professional to help with your air conditioner, visit Angie's List to find the best local service provider to fit your needs.

The Basic Clean: Disconnect the unit from all power sources. Unplug all power cords going into the unit. If your window unit is wired directly to your home, disconnect the unit from the fuses (or turn off the master circuit breaker). Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for discharging the capacitor. A capacitor is a device that holds an extra charge to help kick-start the AC motor, so this step is critical to ensure that there is no electrical charge left in the unit before you begin cleaning. Clean the outside cover. Wipe down the outside of the window unit with a wet cloth. Be sure to get as much dust and grime off as possible so that it doesn’t fall inside the unit when you open the cover.Some covers can be pulled off easily with your hands. Other covers may have plastic hooks or screws that need to be removed. Place any screws or clamps in a safe place while you work. Note: Some units also have a metal grill that needs to be removed. Use caution as you handle the grill, the metal edges can be sharp!

If your unit has a reusable filter, it needs to be cleaned. Remove the filter from the AC unit. Place the filter in a bucket (a sink or bathtub will also work) filled about halfway with warm, soapy water. Swish the filter around to wash off any dirt or buildup. If the filter is really dirty, you may need to use a soft brush to get rid of everything. Set the filter aside and allow it to dry completely before returning it to the AC unit. hunter air purifier cleaningA wet filter will attract extra dirt and mold!sharp air purifier sharp If your unit has a disposable filter, change it regularly. air purifier 3000The U.S. department of energy suggests that filters be changed once a month during the cooling season. Vacuum the inside of the unit.

Use a vacuum extension to clean the bottom and sides of the unit, the back of the front cover, and the metal grill (if you have one). If there is lot of dirt, you can also use a moist rag for this step.Allow the unit to completely dry before reassembling. Plug in the window unit’s power source and turn it on. Clean up any debris that may shoot out when the unit is powered on again. Store your unit in a dry place. When it’s time to put your AC unit away, cover it with a sheet of plastic and place it in a dry area to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. The “Above and Beyond” Clean. If you want to go the extra mile with your air conditioner. There are a few extra steps you can take before reassembling your unit. Be gentle as you perform these steps. The coils and fan blades are delicate and easy to bend accidentally. The motor housing is also sensitive and should be avoided while cleaning.Put on your rubber gloves and protective goggles. Add your coil cleaning solution to your water bottle.

Lightly spray the coils (and only the coils) with the solution and allow it to sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then, gently pour warm water over the coils. Make sure all coil cleaner is removed. Note: Avoid getting water on any electrical parts near the coils. Consider placing a dry rag over any electrical parts to avoid water damage. Clean the fan blades. Use a soft, clean cloth to wipe off any dirt on the fan blades. Wipe gently to avoid bending the blades. A bent blade will make your AC unit even louder! Use a fin comb to repair any dents in the fins of your coils. Take our 60 second Home Quiz to unlock custom tips and local offers! Which of these do you have in your house? (Please select all that apply) What else do you take care of? Does your home have a...? What kind of tips do you want for your home? Sign up below to see your custom tips.Cleaning A Window A/C UnitHave you ever wondered why your window air conditioner emits a musty or moldy odor whenever you turn it on?

Does water leak inside your home from your air conditioner? Maybe your window air conditioner has black sludge on the inside, causing odor and blocking condensation from draining from it. Have you used your window air conditioner through several summers? It might be time to take your window air conditioner out for a good cleaning to remove built up dust and debris that contributes to that black sludge accumulating inside it. Have You Ever Cleaned Your Window A/C Unit? Yes No What's an air conditioner?See results without voting Why Clean A Window A/C UnitIf you’re wondering why you should clean your window A/C unit then consider the fact that window A/C units collect moisture from the air inside your home. Of course, this is just how they work and water usually drains out the back of the unit or is thrown into the condenser coils in the rear of the unit to help cool the refrigerant. Naturally, not all of the water will drain and this can be a problem when this water is left standing when the air conditioner is not in use.

This leads to the growth of mold and can cause the air conditioning unit to produce a mildew like odor. Of course, this can also aggravate allergies in persons sensitive to molds. Another reason to clean the inside of your window air conditioner is to remove debris and buildup that could prevent the drainage of condensation (the moisture collected from indoor air). If buildup is severe, it can cause water to leak through the unit and onto the window ledge or the floor beneath the unit. In addition to mold and debris buildup, dust is also another good reason to clean the inside of your window air conditioner. Yes, the filter does a decent job at keeping most dust out of your air conditioners internal parts (namely the evaporator or cooling coils). However, finer dust can pass through the filter and collect on the cooling coils inside the unit. If it becomes thick enough (over time) it can lead to decreased cooling efficiency and even lead to the unit freezing up and ceasing to cool.

Air Conditioner Cleaning Foam How Do I Clean My Window Air Conditioner UnitIt’s not an extremely difficult task to clean the inside of a window air conditioner. All you need is muscle power, time, a garden hose with a spray attachment, a light cleaning solution like dish detergent and a four-way screwdriver. Move Your A/C Outside: Move your air conditioner unit outside on a flat level surface where you can easily work on the unit and have access to a garden hose. Remove The Air Filter: Begin by removing the air filter first and setting it aside. If it needs cleaning as well, you can do so at this time or soak it in a light detergent solution. Remove The Front Panel: Next, remove the front panel of the air conditioner. It is usually held in place by two screws, one on each side. Larger A/C units might use more. Place the screws in a tray (an ice cube tray is helpful) that will prevent them from rolling away or getting lost. Remove The Bar: Now, remove the rail from the top of the unit holding the accordion panels in place.

This can be done by pulling the panels away from the unit until the can be removed from the top and bottom rails. (Note, the accordion panels are still attached to the sides of the air conditioner so be gentle with them). The top rail is usually held in place with three screws. Remove them and place them in your parts tray. Remove Case Cover: Next, remove the screws holding the top case to the rest of the unit. This portion can be held in place by many screws. Start with the screws at the sides of the unit and remove them. Then begin removing the screws from the top of the unit. Place all of the screws in your parts tray. Then gently slide the cover off the unit. The case may be cut to fit around the power cord so you may need to slide the cover back slightly and then lift it up. Use Your Garden Hose: Now, we’re ready to begin cleaning the inside of the window air conditioner out. If your unit has excessive mold buildup, suds it up with some mild detergent and allow it to soak.

Use a spray attachment to rinse dust from the evaporator fins (the coils on the front portion of the unit) and blower fan. Rinse any debris from the external fan and condenser fins (coils at the back of the unit). Now you can begin to hose out any debris and sludge from the bottom of the unit. To do this, it’s easiest to tilt the unit on its side while aiming the sprayer at the bottom and flushing any debris out. Any stubborn mold can be taken care of with a soapy cloth. *Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach, which can cause damage to aluminum parts used in air conditioners.* Drying: Allow your air conditioner to dry for some time in an upright position after tilting it to remove any extra water. Optional Cleaning: While your air conditioner is drying, you may also wish to clean the other parts such as the case cover, front panel and filter. The case cover may have collected pollen and dust as well as bugs and spider webs, especially if it hasn’t been cleaned at all. Hose or wipe out the inside of the cover and wipe the outer surfaces off with a soapy rag.

The front panel may also have dust buildup around the air intake grill. Hose it out as well or wipe with a soapy rag. The filter can be sprayed off or soaked in soapy water in your sink or tub. Put It Back Together: Simply follow steps 1 through 5 in reverse, reattaching the case cover, top rail and accordion panels and the front panel. Cleaning out a dirty window air conditioner can help improve its performance and efficiency. This is especially helpful for units that have a significant amount of dust buildup on the cooling coils. In addition to cleaning out the inside of an air conditioner, you may also want to straighten any bent fins on the rear of the unit. The fins on the unit are aligned to allow air to blow through them and dissipate heat to the outdoor air. When fins are bent, air cannot flow through them and decreases efficiency. A fin comb can be useful for straightening them out. Controlling Buildup Between CleaningsYou can help minimize buildup by regularly cleaning the filter for your window air conditioner, and seasonal cleaning of the cooling fins by spraying them with window air conditioner foam spray.

One other solution to prevent buildup inside the air conditioner is to use an air conditioner pan cleaner tablet to help prevent black sludge from building up on the inside and avoid bad odors. Avoiding sludge buildup will also minimize the chance that your window A/C unit will get clogged and leak condensation in your home. Did You Find This Hub About Cleaning A Window A/C Unit Helpful? More by this AuthorClothes Washers & DryersSave Money With Drying Racks - And Other Advantages And BenefitsDrying racks are an inexpensive way to dry your clothes indoors and save money. They're also a great way to prolong the life of your clothes because they don't use high temperatures. And, if you're serious about... Air ConditionersPortable Air Conditioners - Single Duct VS Dual DuctPortable air conditioning units are easier to install than window ac units and can be moved from room to room as desired. But do you know the difference between a single or dual duct portable ac unit? Installing And Using a Power Inverter in a PriusAn inverter can be an inexpensive way to get some electrical power in an emergency.