How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner Without Removing It

Comfort isn’t just about sitting on your couch and watching TV series. It’s about having the right temperature as well. Having the right temperature would mean you taking care of that which maintains that cool, cozy environment – your air conditioner. 

Many people don’t think about taking care of their air conditioners until it stops functioning. This is wrong. Air conditioners, like every other electric appliances needs regular maintenance to keep working. If not, you would spend more than required. 

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Regular maintenance include cleaning your air conditioner. If you have the window air conditioner, you may notice that after a while, it will stop cooling. This is because debris and dust have accumulated in the vents, leading to a slow performance. This is an indication that you need to clean it up as soon as possible. 

Is it Necessary to Remove a Window Air Conditioner Before Cleaning? 

It’s not easy to remove a window Air Conditioner to clean because it is bulky and gargantuan. Removing it isn’t a good proposition, neither is it an alternative. So it’s entirely unnecessary to remove a bulky item like a window air conditioner to clean it. 

However, it can get dirty and when it does, it’s going to cause you a pot of problems. Energy bills, quality of air, amongst others are the numerous problems you are going to encounter if you don’t clean. Therefore, the simple answer is you need to clean your window air conditioner, only that you don’t have to remove it before cleaning. 

Benefits of Having Your Window Air Conditioner Cleaned 

Why would you go through the stress of cleaning a window air conditioner? This is the first question that would pop in your mind when someone asks you this. 

Like every electrical appliances, the air conditioner can degrade over time. It accumulates dirt and specks of dust, and these clog the filters, which leads to drop in efficiency. But you don’t need to panic because this is a natural problem all air conditioners and electrical appliances face. 

The way you pay attention to cleaning your home should be the exact way you should pay attention to your air conditioners, only at a reduced rate. Having a clean window air conditioner will:

  • Ensure that the air is filtered and clean for breathing around the home and office – This minimizes the chances of having lung disease, cancer, and allergies. For people who are asthmatic, they would be able to breathe in fresh, clean air. Polluted air will feed you with sickness, respiratory illnesses which will cost you money to treat. 
  • Enable you save money and energy bills – Having a clean air conditioner will save you some money that you would have used for electricity bills. An efficient and working air conditioner will cool your house within a short period, which means you don’t need to leave it on all day. 
  • Extend its lifespan – clogged filters will put a strain on the dirty air conditioner and may damage it totally. Keeping the device clean and free from debris, dirt, and dust will prolong its usage, hence, saving you money in the long run. A damaged air conditioner will lead to excessive spending, all in the name of repairing it.
  • Ensure comfort – There is a certain kind of discomfort that is associated with breathing an unconducive air. You feel restless and unable to think or communicate properly because the environment is dusty. Despite having a very neat house, a dirty, dusty window air conditioner can make matters worse for you. It will spoil everything that you have spent time to clean and arrange. For you to have a total house cleanup, you need to take window air conditioner cleaning seriously. A dirty window air conditioner is more dangerous than you think. 

How to Clean Window Air Conditioner Without Removing It 

You don’t need to hire the services of a professional to be able to clean your air conditioner. It’s a simple Do It Yourself (DIY) process that you can easily enact. Unless you need someone to do the servicing, you can take care of the cleaning. 

Also, cleaning your air conditioner depends on how frequent you plan on cleaning it. For example, if you want to clean your air conditioner weekly, you won’t have to spend so much time cleaning it. However, that can’t be said of someone who plans on cleaning the air conditioner every month or even yearly. The work involved will be much. We will discuss on how to clean your air conditioner daily, monthly, and seasonally. 

What you need

It’s vital that you have all the tools needed to clean so that you don’t run around looking for one tool or the other as you work. You will need the following things to clean your window air conditioner regularly. 

  • A bucket that is filled with warm soapy water. 
  • A soft brush. 
  • A vacuum. 
  • Dry cloth or a small towel that you  an use to clean your dirty hands. 
  • A spray bottle with warm water and a few drops of detergent. 
  • Newspaper to lay under the AC. 
  • Protective gloves. 
  • A fin comb. 

Steps 

  1. Disconnect the window air conditioner by taking the plug out of the wall. 
  2. Remove the filter. This is simple to remove and it should come out easily. If it’s washable, soak it in a basin or bucket of warm, soapy water. 
  3. Take the case off. Remove the screws and keep them somewhere safe. Remove the front and back grille as well as any other component that is removable. If possible, soak them in warm, soapy water. 
  4. Vacuum it. The next step is to get rid of any debris and dust that may have accumulated inside. In case you see any mold on the surface, use a damp cloth and wipe it over the surface. 
  5. Spray the area using a spray bottle. Spray over every surface inside with the 2 drops of detergent. The fins shouldn’t be excluded. You don’t have to worry about the water touching the interior surfaces because air conditioners are dehumidifiers – they can pretty much handle water. 
  6. Clean the exteriors using a spray bottle. While the interior is soaking in the spray, use the opportunity to clean down the exterior. Take each part and clean the surface properly. Once you are done, leave out to dry. 
  7. Use a soft brush on the interiors. Brush down the cooling fins and coils gently. Be careful not to brush down either side. Only brush up and down. Use a fin comb to get the best out the fins if necessary. 
  8. Wipe out the interiors with a damp cloth. Wipe the interiors with a wet cloth. Once you are done wiping out the soaked interiors, leave it to dry. 
  9. Reassemble. Take each piece, including the screws back together in the right order. If you are having a difficult time reassembling, consult your user manual. 

You have successfully cleaned your window air conditioner without having to remove it. 

Cleaning your window Air Conditioner monthly 

If you wish to clean your air conditioner monthly, then be prepared for a thorough cleaning. The device would have accumulated so much dirt and debris that you can’t possibly imagine. First thing first, make are the AC is turned off before you start cleaning. 

Below is the cleaning procedure. 

  1. Remove the front panel of your air conditioner to access the filter. The front panel may contain screws for attaching the panel to the unit. If you are skeptical on how to access the filter, read the user manual. 
  2. Dip a towel inside the detergent or soapy water and clean the filter. Better still, you can run the filter with a running water, especially if there is so much dirt inside. You can even use a vacuum hose to remove the dirt if they feel to stubborn. Don’t forget to clean the front panel with warm, soapy water. 
  3. Allow the filter to dry before returning it to its position. Wipe out excess water on it or use a dry cloth to wipe it off. You risk damaging the unit if you decide to put the filter back when it’s not dried yet. 
  4. If the filter is worn-out, replace it for proper functioning of the AC. If the front panel seems damaged as well, you can replace it as well. It may affect the proper functioning of the machine. Always ensure that you purchase the right filter and panel. 

Cleaning your window Air Conditioner yearly 

  1. Ensure the unit is off and that power is disconnected. Remove the fins and front panel attachments. The screws and tabs that attach the casing to the interior of the AC should be removed as well. Slide the unit’s casing away from the interior and keep it in a safe place, alongside the screws. 
  2. Use a fin comb to brush away dust and debris from the fins. Remember to wear work gloves while doing this to avoid cutting your hands. 
  3. Use a canister to blow the coils and fan with condensed air. Spray it into the fins and around the coils at all sides of the unit and blow away dust around the unit. You can purchase a canister online. 
  4. Vacuum away the debris from the tray and the base of the unit. Spray with a cleaner, scrub it, and wipe with a damp cloth. Allow the tray to dry for a few hours before reassembling. 
  5. Reassemble the components in the right order. You can always consult your manual if you missed your way in reassembling the components. 

Safety Precautions

  1. Avoid using alcohol to clean your air conditioner. It’s highly flammable and can ignite fire on your air conditioner. 
  2. Make sure there are no children close to you while cleaning. 
  3. Using bleach powder material is toxic and can damage sensitive materials in the air conditioner. 
  4. Your eyes and skin shouldn’t come in contact with the spray. Wear gloves, full protective materials, and wear goggles to protect the eyes. 
  5. Ensure your air conditioner is turned off while spraying. 

Tips on Maintaining a Window Air Conditioner

Now that you have cleaned your air conditioner, next thing is to make sure that it’s stays at its best, so that you can get the most out of it. 

  • Keep the filter clean. It’s not necessary to clean the filter everyday. Monthly cleaning is okay. However, during summer, your air conditioner may work too hard. So cleaning day won’t be bad. 
  • If you are to replace your filter, consider buying HEPA-certified filters. They are one of the best set of filters around and suitable for people who have allergies. 
  • Keep the unit on. Keeping your unit on, every now and then will eliminate the chances of mold growing inside. Moisture breeds mold. If your AC is sitting on the window all day, it will lead to mold build up. However, if you won’t be using your AC anytime soon, try shutting it away. 
  • Avoid keeping it under the sun. Sun degrades the air conditioner. If possible, try to keep it in a shady place. 
  • Keep the fins straight after deep cleaning. During and after you must have cleaned your AC, keep the cooling fins as straight as possible. Fins are used for cooling the air, and should be running straight, not bent. 
  • Store the unit on a cool, dry place. When not in operation, keep the AC in a dry place. Exposing it to the elements will trigger rust and possibly the growth of molds. 

Conclusion 

No one wants to breathe a bad, dusty air. It’s hazardous to health and uncomfortable. The atmosphere should be free from dust and filtered as much as possible. 

An overworked air conditioner is the major cause of dusty air. If it’s not cleaned up regularly, monthly, or seasonally, you will spend so much trying to get it repaired when it finally breaks down. Not to mention the energy bills and respiratory problems that it would cost. 

A window air conditioner that is clean translates to clean, quality indoor air. It also minimizes the chances of contracting respiratory problems. With the steps discussed here, I have no doubt that you will clean your window air conditioner effectively without removing it. 

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