How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner Method 1 In this post, we discussed the importance of having your air conditioner looked at by a professional twice annually. In order to access these components, there may be an additional U-shaped metal cover resting atop your air conditioner that you have to remove. Plus, watching all that accumulated dust fly away is extremely satisfying. A standard window air conditioner is easy to clean all you need is a variety of screwdrivers, a vacuum cleaner, a few old rags, a spray or degreaser, and an old toilet brush or bottle brush and a little bit of patience. Follow the instructions on the bottle. A spray bottle filled with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing soap is our go-to cleaning solution around here. Check out this post from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more information about cleaning mold. This might seem intimidating, but it’s a really straightforward process. Once you have your cleaning solution in hand, fill a spray bottle, like these glass versions from Sally’s Organics, with the hydrogen peroxide. See steps four and five. Clean the Inside of the Air Conditioner Unit. – If you’ve just bought a second-hand window air conditioner or you’ve never cleaned yours before, you’ll need to, Sally’s Organics Amber Glass Spray Bottles, Dust-Off Disposable Compressed Gas Duster, Frost King ACF19 Air Conditioner Coil Foam Cleaner, The Best Christmas Gifts of 2020 on Everyone's Wish List, The 50 Best Stocking Stuffers of 2020 That Aren’t Socks or Candy (We Promise), 64 Christmas Gifts For Her That Are So Good You Don't Even Need To Keep the Receipt, Shopping Guide: The Best Massage Guns and Theragun Alternatives of 2020, The 50+ Best Christmas Gifts for Your Wife that She Actually Wants, The 29 Best Face Masks for Running, Cycling & Working Out: Under Armour, Reebok, Adidas. Simply spray the air at the fins and the coils in both the front and the back of the air conditioner. Avoid applying too much pressure to the fins as they can bend out of shape and cause airflow problems. You should also wear gloves and wash anything that the spores come into contact with. How to Care for Frigidaire Window Unit Air Conditioners. Cleaning a window air conditioner unit is something that needs to be done at least once a year to keep the unit operating the best it possibly can. If you’re not able to remove your window air conditioner, don’t worry. If you see or smell it, spot clean the unit as laid out in steps one to three below. Step 2. This is especially true if the spores are festering in your air conditioner as you and your family can easily end up breathing them in. This is especially true if you have pets or live in a particularly dusty environment, as the filter can become clogged causing your air conditioner to lose efficiency. Air Conditioner Coil Cleaning Methods How to Clean AC Coils with Compressed Air. Look for a model or brand name on the front or sides of the appliance. Rinse the filter with warm water or use a vacuum with a crevice tool attachment if there’s a lot of built-up dirt. – After summer is over, it’s important to clean both the inside and outside of your unit, and then store it properly (if necessary). Just be sure the unit is fully assembled and in place before you plug it back in. Our air conditioning services in Phoenix are designed to help you pinpoint and deal with these issues promptly. Then, turn your air conditioner off and spray down both the intake area of the unit and the outflow area with the peroxide solution. If you have a window air conditioning unit with a reusable filter, Dr. Sublett recommends cleaning it at least once a month during spring and summer. Remember, homes with central air conditioning need to change their air filter every few months, but many apartment dwellers will never even think about cleaning out their window AC unit. Alternatively, if your air conditioner’s filter can be replaced, swap it out. Let the cleaner sit on these parts for several minutes. Remove the fins and front panel attachments. Cleaning your air conditioner is extremely easy and inexpensive. , failing to clean a window air conditioner unit will lead to a steady decline in performance and an increase in energy use. It slips over the unit and is secured in place by two buckled straps. The easiest way to keep your window air conditioner in good working order is to clean it regularly. Remember: alcohol or bleach-based cleaners can cause fires or toxic fumes. Project step-by-step (6) The Cleaning Procedure:. Allow the solution to sit on these surfaces for approximately 10 minutes, then rinse with water and a damp cloth. What Cleaning Solution is Used to Clean a Window Air Conditioner. Even worse, if mold develops in it, your health is at stake too as the spores will be released into your home. In addition, a dirty air conditioner can impact the air quality in your home. Also, clean the air conditioner front grille if it has mold on it. Condensation forms in the coils and ducts as cool air circulates through the system, creating a habitat for moisture-loving mold. Be very careful not to get the electronic components of your window air conditioner wet. The last step in the deep clean process is to spray all the pieces down with your garden hose. It’s very important that you use a screwdriver with an insulated handle when doing this. Finally, replace the air filter with a new, good quality one. If it is a disposable filter, make sure you have another filter to replace it with and skip the filter-cleaning steps below. Most importantly, though, you’ll be able to clean the air conditioner inside rather than having the mold spores circulate through your home. How To Clean A Window Air Conditioner For Mold Gather the right protective gear.. At the very least, you should be wearing an N-95 respirator mask when getting rid of... Unplug your window air conditioner and discharge the capacitor.. Mold can be very detrimental to your health, which is why it’s so important to address it promptly. Cleaning the window air conditioner is mandatory for upkeep, without it the system inevitably starting to underperform. Some of these issues, such as excess condensation or leaking, could lead to mold down the line. Turn the A/C off again and remove the filter, then spray the hydrogen peroxide further into your window unit. To clean the filter, remove the front panel of your HVAC unit and pull the filter out of its slot. Once the bigger debris is gone, spray it down with cleaner and wipe it down with a wet cloth. Cleaning mold from your central air conditioner ducts is a bit more finicky than removing it from a window unit. If you are a conscious homeowner and want to get the most out of your window AC, learn here how to proceed with this maintenance task and how often you are … If you happen across any stubborn dirt, simply spray it down with the cleaner again, let that sit for a few minutes and then brush it again. R39-R A/C & Refrig. Allow the spray to dry before turning the air conditioner back on. Keep in mind that we’re focusing on window air conditioners in this piece. It is also recommended that the inside of the air conditioner be cleaned as well. Cleaning the inside of the unit involves a bit more work, and may require a professional air conditioning service professional to go over and clean it. You can still follow the upcoming steps; they’ll just be slightly trickier. The evaporator coils are located underneath the filter, while the condenser coils are located at the back of the air conditioner. You should also avoid leaving the air conditioner off for extended periods during the summer months (such as when you go on vacation). However, you’ll need to be very careful when brushing the coil. If you think you need to do this, then you should be able to smell a little bit of mildew from the window air conditioner, and this will actually indicate this. of 4: Your air conditioner’s manual will tell you the exact steps required to avoid this. But, regular cleaning can fix all these issues and extend the life of your air conditioner unit to boot. Allow the air conditioner to dry before putting it on again. Let’s look at either scenario. We recommend cleaning or exchanging your filter at least once a month. Remove the filter from the front of your window air conditioner and place it in the sink. By cleaning your air conditioner regularly instead of simply performing one deep clean every few months. Here are the steps on how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it that you can perform regularly: Spray - Fill a spray bottle with a generous amount of Hydrogen Peroxide and then make sure you switch off the unit. Removing the dust from the inside of your air conditioner every three to six months will extend the life of your unit. of 4: To clean the outside of the unit, use a sponge or a cloth to wipe the outside of the air conditioning unit and the windowsill it is attached to. Keeping your air conditioner free of dust and debris will rob mold spores of their fuel. Without a filter inside your AC Unit to trap air pollutants, your home’s air quality will deteriorate as it circulates. But, regular cleaning can fix all these issues and extend the life of your air conditioner unit to boot. In the vast majority of air conditioner brands,... Dip your towel in soap or detergent solution, then wash the filter or run it through running water. Then open the grill and remove the filter. #326306 This allows you to get a better angle for cleaning. However, you’re better off replacing them if you can, depending on the severity of your mold problem. Be careful! One easy way to avoid excess moisture is to get an air conditioner that incorporates humidity control. Method 2 Should you see or smell mildew, you need to be careful about the type of cleaner you use. Depending on the build-up of the mold, it may take more than one application to get it all up. To avoid these annoyances, you need to ensure your window air conditioner stays in working order by cleaning it regularly. Well, if you live somewhere that gets humid and you don’t take time to clean your air conditioner regularly, a combination of dust and moisture inside the unit will harbor spores. Use a wet vacuum to get rid of the contaminated water before you scrub the unit down. Spray the coil with water from the hose if its outdoors. If, for some reason, you can’t take your unit out of the window, you’ll need to invest in a made-for-purpose window air conditioner cover, like this one from Jeacent. If you sense even just a slight mildew smell when you turn on your A/C unit you might want to try using some hydrogen peroxide. Remove the unit's mounting frame and case by using a screwdriver to undo the screws that hold them into place; Step 3. You have to remove the filter from the unit and spray inside the conditioner. Here’s how to clean a window air conditioner for mold. While you have the unit open, you should use a can of compressed air, like this one from Dust-Off, to dust the coils. Clean a Window Air Conditioner Air Filter twice a month. In addition to cleaning the coils, you’ll also need to clean the tray or the base of your unit. Occasionally, you may need to give a window air conditioner the deepest clean possible. Whenever you want to perform internal work on your window air conditioner, you need to discharge its capacitor. This should be relatively straightforward. Rather, set your air conditioner to run on ‘auto.’. Don’t know how to access the filter in your window unit? Every six months if you live in a warm part of the country or at the end of the summer, you’ll need to give your window air conditioner unit a deeper clean. The screws and tabs that attach the casing to the interior of the AC should be removed as well. How to clean a window air conditioner mold buildup? At the very least, you should be wearing an N-95 respirator mask when getting rid of mold. Dirty air filters often require more energy to run, leading to increased electricity bills. That’s because this tray is attached to the drain, and if it’s not properly cleaned, it can cause blockages in the drain, leading to water damage inside the unit. Look and smell for signs of mildew. You can also check out this great how-to video from Becky’s Homestead, which walks you through some of the more complicated steps. If you are getting large groups of people in then once a week. On other units, you’ll have to remove a few screws. Step 2 Sprinkle a thin layer of powdered laundry detergent on the filter and cover it with hot water. This will dry out the inside of the air conditioner - and since the EPA reminds us, moisture management is the key to mold control. 7 Smart Air Conditioners That Let You Cool Down the House Before You Get Home, © Copyright 2020 Spy Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Media Corporation. In the next section, we’ll look at the steps you should take. Along with summer comes soaring temperatures and the need to cool your home using tower fans and home air conditioners. Goodway’s CoilShine-BC is a good, EPA-approved option designed to inhibit mold growth for two years. 3. – Each day, check your unit for signs of mildew and dust. The filter must be cleaned once within 15 to 20 days. While you may not need to wait a full 24 hours if you live in a hot and sunny place like Phoenix, it can’t hurt. Store it inside in your garage or attic, and cover it with a cloth or a tarp. Removing your window air conditioner typically involves disconnecting the power, removing the front panel, and then gently pulling the unit inside. It will probably be worn out after approximately three months of use. Even after you’ve unplugged the unit, there may be residual electricity inside that can shock you. Spray the peroxide on the unit, make sure you wear a mask as this will stop you from inhaling the chemical. Be sure to use your garden hose and not a power washer, as too much force could bend the fins inside the air conditioning unit. It’s very important that you don’t just replace your filters and then call it a day. Generally speaking, you’ll need to spray the affected areas and then let them sit for about five minutes. However, with the number and size of parts inside the unit, the job can be tedious and you may not have the proper tools to clean the inside of your air conditioner thoroughly. This may be the case if you’ve bought a second-hand unit, or you’ve never cleaned your air conditioner but now realize that you need to. Also, all technicians visiting customers’ homes will be equipped with gloves and masks. Performance and energy-efficiency specifications for any window air conditioner come with a caveat: They are based on … Remove the unit’s front panel to access the filter. You can also “dust” the motor and the fan at the middle of the unit if you can easily reach them. Thank you for choosing American Home Water and Air! You can use a paper towel or brush to clean up the gunk too. Monthly cleaning To get at the filter, remove the front panel of your air conditioner. … We’ll cover the method for this in steps six to nine below. One of the most important parts of your air conditioner, and one that needs regular cleaning, is the air filter. Using a cloth, brush, or sponge, soak up the solution and scrub the moldy areas of your air conditioner well. Throughout the summer, you should check your unit for signs of mildew growth, like the distinctive scent. Remove the air filter, then carefully use a narrow vacuum attachment to clean it out. Remember, homes with central air conditioning need to change their air filter every few months, but many apartment dwellers will never even think about cleaning out their window AC unit. As a safety measure, all AHWA employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be required to self-isolate. They’ll need to actually remove the affected portion of your ducts and give it a good scrubbing. These pesky growths proliferate within just 24-48 hours so it doesn’t take very long to end up with a huge problem. Using a soft bristle brush, you can scrub everything down at this point. The spores proliferate through the air extensively and can end up in your lungs, causing symptoms like: – runny nose– watery eyes– dry cough– rashes– wheezing, Mold inside your air conditioner gets an added boost as it literally flies through the air and into your lungs.Â. Just make sure you have something soft for the unit to land on. Over time, these units can develop mold and other harmful bacteria if you clean them improperly or irregularly. With some window air conditioners, it may actually be best to clean them daily, and this will be able to prevent any build up from happening at all. Before cleaning, always remember to unplug the air conditioner and ensure you have the right gear like some goggles and gloves. First, remove the plastic filter holder/trim panel. Knowing how to clean a window air conditioner is a very valuable skill. To access your air conditioner’s filter, you may need to remove a front panel, which will be either pressure-fit or held in place by screws. Generally, you’ll need to remove the side panel, identify the capacitor, and use an insulated screwdriver to connect its terminals, which will cause a short circuit and release the electricity. First of all, clean your window air conditioner grill with the help of a cloth or tissue paper. Clean a Window Air Conditioner without Removing: Deeper Clean: If you have used this all techniques but it is not working then you should do some effort more for cleaning. These components are porous and can easily soak up moisture, which will cause a reoccurrence of this problem down the road. The steps required to clean a window air conditioner differ depending on whether you’re trying to get rid of something specific like mold or simply performing a general cleaning. When you do this, warm, moist air tends to build up inside the unit. Moisture and mold go together like Camelback Mountain and hiking. Step 1: Wash the filter A clean filter ensures that an adequate amount of room air will circulate over the evaporator coil, keeping it from freezing up. The EPA also recommends certain products specifically designed to safely remove mold in your air conditioner. In general, we recommend four types of cleaning: If you’re ready to learn how to clean a window air conditioner properly, read on for step-by-step instructions and cleaning products. Window air conditioners afford you the luxury of portability. Use a sponge, brush, or cloth to soak up your mixture and start scrubbing the moldy areas. Mold is the result of a damp environment combined with dust and dirt. We would not recommend anything much more powerful than that for cleaning the inside of the air conditioner, especially the filter. You’ll need to place a tray, like this one used for roasting turkeys, beneath the air conditioner to catch any drips of the hydrogen peroxide. Use gloves and eye protection if you have it available. Before reassembling and reinstalling your air conditioner, let it dry thoroughly. However, try to avoid spraying the control panel as water could damage the attached electronics. If the air conditioner is on your home’s first floor, you can also gently push it out. It’s especially common in areas where the weather gets humid and wet. Items needed is a water hose or spray bottle and some basic dish soap. You’ll almost certainly need to replace your filters and insulation. R37 Plumbing ROC #326384. Straighten the bent cooling fins with a fin comb. – Every month, you’ll need to clean the filter in your unit to ensure the air quality in your home stays high. While you won’t be opening the unit up to the degree that a deep clean requires, you’ll still be accessing it enough to warrant disconnecting the power. Most clean their units at the end of the cooling season such as September but it can be cleaned whenever it is convenient. A mold inhibitor will go a long way towards helping you avoid mold buildup. This includes both the case and the interior mechanics of the machine. Ideally, you’ll want to get a foaming spray disinfectant that can permeate throughout your air conditioner and hunt those spores down. All rights reservedPMC Entertainment, Along with summer comes soaring temperatures and the need to cool your home using tower fans and home. Your dealer may use a combination of using compressed air, a shop-vac and heavy-duty coil-cleaning chemicals that meet the specifications of your air conditioner model. Then, using these made-for-purpose combs, remove all the dust and/or debris from the air conditioner’s fins. Once you are satisfied that everything looks spick and span, you’ll need to pick up one side of the air conditioner to allow all the excess water to drain out of the base. First, spray off the casing and window fins, then move onto the fan, aluminum fins and coils. If you leave moisture trapped within your air conditioner, you’ll just end up with a mold issue again. Otherwise, you might end up with stained woodwork or carpet. Cleaning your window Air Conditioner yearly . First, remove the front panel of your unit. Some experts recommend just turning the air conditioner on after you’ve finished spraying and scrubbing. How to Keep a Window Air Conditioner Unit Clean While filters require regular upkeep, the rest of these tasks only need to be done once a year. The fins can be sharp. In addition, a dirty air conditioner can impact the air quality in your home. Castile liquid soap works like wonder as a window air conditioner cleaning spray. Make sure to use the hose on the lowest pressure possible as you don’t want to damage the sensitive interior of the unit. Then remove the unit... Comb Out the Mats. One day it works fine, and the next, you can’t get cold air whatsoever. Most window units have two sets of coils. If your window air conditioner is installed in the kitchen, then its filter must be cleaned once a week. Mix a tablespoon of mild dish soap, a half cup of bleach, and 3 gallons of hot water together. The first step is to remove the air conditioner from the window and take off the front panel, the case and the fins that allow it to attach to the window. Pay special attention to scrubbing the unit’s grille as mold likes to hide out there. Mold anywhere in your house is dangerous. To clean the tray, vacuum it out with a wet-dry vacuum, like this one from Stanley. Spray the coils down to remove any loose dirt and prepare the coil for a spray cleaner. But some filters feature universal foam filters. Use a Hydrogen Peroxide Solution Regularly to Prevent Mildew The easiest way to keep your window air conditioner in good working order is to clean it regularly. And if you don’t know how to clean a window air conditioner, then keep reading. Finally, you’re ready to get your air conditioner back in place! This method is typically recommended only for the outdoor condensing coil. On some air conditioners, the front panel (which is the one that faces inward when the unit is installed) is simply pressure-fit. Here are some additional tips on how to prevent mold in a window air conditioner. For that reason, stick to a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. If your central air conditioner filter isn’t regularly cleaned, it can collect dust, grime, bacteria, mildew and mold. If your filters are reusable, you’ll need to clean them with warm and soapy water. For most air conditioners, you’ll need to find the model number of your filter and order a replacement online. Without regular cleanings and maintenance, the air filter in your air conditioning unit becomes less effective. But wait – how does mold get into your air conditioner in the first place? Even with monthly cleaning, your air filter won’t last forever. The best way to do that? Spray mold and mildew remover to prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside your air conditioner. Here’s how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it. Ensure the unit is off and that power is disconnected. According to the Department of Energy, failing to clean a window air conditioner unit will lead to a steady decline in performance and an increase in energy use. Failure to do so may cause the spread of unwanted fumes, so please be careful! Let it sit in a bucket or your sink while you complete the remaining steps. All you need is some dish soap, a spray bottle, and a watering hose. Should you continue to smell mildew even after spraying the unit down, you’ll need to do a deeper clean. Then remove the air unit's plastic trim panel, most likely by snapping it off. For those units, you can use a cut-to-fit air filter like this version from Vega AC, which comes in a pack of two. Cleaning the Filter Monthly. Most AC companies will have online manuals showing you exactly how to care for your model. You should contact a professional who can properly look at your ducts, particularly if the mold has spread through an area greater than 10 square feet. Basic Cleaning. How to Properly Clean Your Window Air Conditioner Step 1. Unplug the air conditioner. Can a Dirty Air Filter Make you Sick. This is the best way of cleaning. Throughout the summer, you should check your unit for signs of mildew growth, like the distinctive scent. Examine it monthly. Do so quite gently. In this post, we’ll walk you through the steps you should take to clean a window air conditioner, including how often you should do it and what cleaning products are safe to use. Slide the unit’s casing away from the interior and keep it in a safe place, alongside the screws. Cleaning Window Air Conditioner Coils and Coil Fins Coils and coil fins need love, too! We hope this won’t impact our service and we will remain open for business until further notice. Otherwise, you’ll be shocked! If you’re one of the lucky ones who has a window air conditioner unit instead of central air, you’ll know that they can be quite temperamental, at best. While the steps we’ve mentioned so far are great if you’re looking to tackle a major problem like mold, you won’t want to do that on a daily basis. Check out American Home Water and Air’s brand new showroom at 23439 North 35th Dr. #7, Glendale, AZ 85310. One of the most important things you can do to keep your window air conditioner clean and in working order is to remove it from the window when it’s not needed. It’s always good to let things dry for a bit, though, just in case you got some moisture in the electrical components. The well-being of our employees and customers is a priority for us during these tough times; therefore, AHWA is taking extra precautions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you have a central air conditioner, check out this article for some tips on cleaning. And then there’s the dreaded air conditioner smell, which can ruin the simple pleasure of basking in the air-conditioned breeze. Spray these pieces down with an air conditioner coil cleaner, and then also spray the interior coils, the aluminum fins, the fan and the base of the unit. This will help you stay ahead of the curve on any issues that may be coming down the pipeline. Let everything dry for several hours before putting your window air conditioner back together again. You may need to repeat these steps several times, depending on the severity of grime on your window air conditioner unit. Make sure you wear your mask and gloves as the combination of mold and the disinfectant spray will be hazardous if inhaled. Direct the spray into the air conditioner fins, which (being the outermost components) harbor much of the dirt and grime. It usually snaps off. Air conditioner vents can be breeding grounds for black mold. 3) Clean Your Window AC a couple of times during the Cooling Season: if you reside in a hot climate, particularly one that's humid too, clean your AC at least two times during the cooling season.

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