Do you notice anything strange going on with your air conditioning system?
Is it losing its cooling performance?
Once you’ve set up your window air conditioners, their performance will gradually decrease.
It doesn’t mean you bought a sub-standard air conditioning system. It usually just means it’s time to clean it.
All air conditioner coils and filters will get clogged after some time.
So you’ll need to clean them regularly so they function correctly.
Many of us don’t want to clean our air conditioners, and cleaning may need to happen a few times a year.
Some people find it hard to remove an old, heavy window unit and replace it with a new one.
Fortunately, removing an old window air conditioner before you clean it has become a thing of the past.
You can successfully remove and clean the unit for most new units without too much trouble.
How often do I have to clean my Window AC?
Treating your air conditioner well is the same way you should treat your other appliances. Sometimes, that means cleaning after every use – or at least a few times a year.
You don’t need to clean your air conditioner every day, but cleaning it atleast once a month is a good idea.
- An efficient air conditioner ensures you breathe clean air at your workplace or home, reducing asthma or allergies. Your health depends on the air quality you breathe. A dirty air conditioner filter provides unhealthy indoor air, harming people suffering from respiratory ailments.
- Cleaning your window air conditioner saves you money on your electric bill. Furthermore, a clean air conditioner works more efficiently and will cool your home within a shorter period, so there will not be a need to keep it on all night long. If you notice that your air conditioner is not working properly, you need to clean it soon.
- Dirty air conditioner filters cause an air conditioning unit to run too hard and may damage it over time. Keeping the air conditioner clean and service will extend its useful life and save you money. Most damage to modern ACs occurs because of clogged and dirty filters. Just by cleaning your device regularly, you can postpone the cost of replacing it for many more years.
- An air conditioner keeps your workspace/home clean – and smells clean. Imagine sitting in a room where the air you breathe is clean – this can make you feel good. Likewise, a dirty windows unit can spoil a neat room. There are many impacts of dust from an AC unit on your health. One of them includes the endless flu. Another is the smell. Clean air conditioners help keep your environment smelling fresh.
Can you clean a window air conditioner without removing it?
You don’t need to hire an expert to clean your air conditioners, as you can easily clean them yourself – unless you want to pay for someone else to service the device.
The methods of cleaning an air conditioner will depend upon how often you clean it.
If you clean the air conditioners twice a year, the work required will be greater.
Regularly cleaning your unit will save you a lot of time and effort.
What You'll Need To Clean A Window AC In Place
- Bucket of water
- Spray bottle
- Dry towel
- Tap water
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Detergent or soap solution
Procedure for Cleaning Your AC
After you’ve assembled what you want to say, follow the next process.
1. If you clean your conditioner regularly
To keep your air conditioner working well, you must regularly clean it. Here’s the process:
- Switch off the air conditioner, fill the spray bottle with the water and hydrogen peroxide, and then spray the intake air lightly. Don’t forget to protect yourself from inhaling hydrogen peroxide fumes because they’re very dangerous for your health. Wash your hands after using the sprayer, even if you wear protective gloves.
- Let the air conditioner dry out before reusing it. If you wake up in the morning, the unit is ready for use if you can wash and dry it at night. It will be better. Make sure that the AC dries before turning it back on after spraying.
- If you notice that spraying did not clean the filter correctly, consider deep cleaning, which includes removing the filter and spraying the unit further. You can clean the filters by wiping them with a damp cloth and the unit.
- After putting the air conditioner filter back in place, let the device dry. Please don’t put on the air conditioner until it has dried up because condensation of hydrogen peroxide could damage the device.
2. Monthly cleaning
If you decide to wash your window air conditioner monthly, be prepared to do extensive cleaning. The air conditioner has accumulated plenty of dust and grime; the only way to clean it properly is by servicing it.
Make sure that the system is turned off before you begin cleaning.
- To access the filter, remove the cover from your air conditioner. Most air conditioning systems include tabs or screws for proper installation. Filters are fixed inside the device, but you can check the user manual to help remove them.
- Wash the filter by dipping it into a soap or detergent solution and then running it through running water. You can use hot water to clean your front panel and filters. If the filter is clogged with grime or dust, consider using a vacuum hose to clean out the filter.
- After allowing the filter to dry, return it to its original position. You can shake off excess water or dry it using another towel. Do not place the filter in its position when the air conditioner is running unless it has dried out. Don’t turn on the system if the filter is wet or if you haven’t placed it in its location because you could damage the whole system. If the front panel seems damaged, you may want to replace it because it could interfere with the air conditioner’s effectiveness.
- Replace the worn-out filter also for the proper operation of your unit. Make sure you buy the right brand of filter for your air conditioner. Don’t use filters from another brand. Make sure you buy the filter for your air conditioner from the same manufacturer who makes it. It’s recommended to clean your window air conditioning unit at least once a month to stay in good shape.
3. Seasonal cleaning
It is not advisable to clean your air conditioner every four months because you will expose your device to more risks. However, if the situation forces you, don’t worry about it.
Here, you will first need to thoroughly clean to remove all the dust and dirt that may have accumulated on the filters and other unit components.
- Before removing the unit, ensure it is disconnected.
- Before removing the front panel, remove all the screws smoothly.
- Start by cleaning the phone with hot water and detergent solution mix. Afterward, use a small moist cloth to wipe off all the surface dust and dirt.
- Use a soft brush or sponge to clean dust from the cooling fins. Wear protective gloves because the fins may hurt you if you’re not careful. After spraying the coils and fins, wipe them off until they’re clean.
- After that, we move on to the filters. Dip them in the bucket for cleaning, or clean them with a damp cloth.
- After wiping down the entire tray unit with a wet cloth, please wait for the surfaces and filter to dry before reusing them. Then, you may wipe the surface with a clean cloth, accelerate the drying process and replace worn-out parts.
- Once you’ve returned the components, don’t install them on the unit. Instead, use the instruction manual if you are stuck when replacing the front case or filters.
Final Words
Clean windows equate to cleaner indoor air and better respiratory health.
These cleaning regimens will keep your window air conditioner clean without having to remove it.
Make sure you follow these instructions in the correct order to avoid damaging your unit.
FAQs On Window AC Cleaning
Q: How often should I clean my window air conditioner?
A: The frequency of cleaning depends on how dirty the filters are.
You’ll need to clean the filters more frequently if filters are dirty.
However, if the filters are relatively clean, you can clean them less frequently.
The best thing to do would be to clean them once a week.
Q: What chemicals should I use to clean my window air conditioners?
A: Different types of cleaners are available for cleaning your window air conditioner. You can choose anyone, depending on the material you’re dealing with. Several cleaners are available, including ammonia, alcohol, bleach, vinegar, etc.
I’m a degreed ME (mechanical engineer) who is passionate about machines of all kinds. I created MachineWonders.com as a way to connect with others who love machines like me – or need help choosing one for their needs, application, or situation.
