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. 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. Castile liquid soap works like wonder as a window air conditioner cleaning spray. 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. And if you don’t know how to clean a window air conditioner, then keep reading. How to Care for Frigidaire Window Unit Air Conditioners. The EPA also recommends certain products specifically designed to safely remove mold in your air conditioner. One easy way to avoid excess moisture is to get an air conditioner that incorporates humidity control. Allow the air conditioner to dry before putting it on again. You can use a paper towel or brush to clean up the gunk too. A mold inhibitor will go a long way towards helping you avoid mold buildup. Occasionally, you may need to give a window air conditioner the deepest clean possible. Thank you for choosing American Home Water and Air! 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. Using a cloth, brush, or sponge, soak up the solution and scrub the moldy areas of your air conditioner well. Otherwise, you’ll be shocked! 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 pesky growths proliferate within just 24-48 hours so it doesn’t take very long to end up with a huge problem. This might seem intimidating, but it’s a really straightforward process. 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. Avoid applying too much pressure to the fins as they can bend out of shape and cause airflow problems. 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. It is also recommended that the inside of the air conditioner be cleaned as well. It usually snaps off. Project step-by-step (6) The Cleaning Procedure:. The screws and tabs that attach the casing to the interior of the AC should be removed as well. It slips over the unit and is secured in place by two buckled straps. Mix a tablespoon of mild dish soap, a half cup of bleach, and 3 gallons of hot water together. 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.. The fins can be sharp. If the air conditioner is on your home’s first floor, you can also gently push it out. See steps four and five. 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. This will dry out the inside of the air conditioner - and since the EPA reminds us, moisture management is the key to mold control. 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. Items needed is a water hose or spray bottle and some basic dish soap. We hope this won’t impact our service and we will remain open for business until further notice. Alternatively, if your air conditioner’s filter can be replaced, swap it out. Also, all technicians visiting customers’ homes will be equipped with gloves and masks. First, spray off the casing and window fins, then move onto the fan, aluminum fins and coils. The evaporator coils are located underneath the filter, while the condenser coils are located at the back of the air conditioner. – Every month, you’ll need to clean the filter in your unit to ensure the air quality in your home stays high. Generally speaking, you’ll need to spray the affected areas and then let them sit for about five minutes. Most window units have two sets of coils. Most importantly, though, you’ll be able to clean the air conditioner inside rather than having the mold spores circulate through your home. Rather, set your air conditioner to run on ‘auto.’. Use gloves and eye protection if you have it available. All you need is some dish soap, a spray bottle, and a watering hose. Knowing how to clean a window air conditioner is a very valuable skill. … Let’s look at either scenario. Basic Cleaning. Keep in mind that we’re focusing on window air conditioners in this piece. Cleaning the window air conditioner is mandatory for upkeep, without it the system inevitably starting to underperform. As a safety measure, all AHWA employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be required to self-isolate. These components are porous and can easily soak up moisture, which will cause a reoccurrence of this problem down the road. Remember: alcohol or bleach-based cleaners can cause fires or toxic fumes. To avoid these annoyances, you need to ensure your window air conditioner stays in working order by cleaning it regularly. First of all, clean your window air conditioner grill with the help of a cloth or tissue paper. Allow the spray to dry before turning the air conditioner back on. Make sure to use the hose on the lowest pressure possible as you don’t want to damage the sensitive interior of the unit. Be careful! The filter must be cleaned once within 15 to 20 days. 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. In the next section, we’ll look at the steps you should take. 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. 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. By cleaning your air conditioner regularly instead of simply performing one deep clean every few months. Do so quite gently. Just make sure you have something soft for the unit to land on. Performance and energy-efficiency specifications for any window air conditioner come with a caveat: They are based on … In addition, a dirty air conditioner can impact the air quality in your home. Use a wet vacuum to get rid of the contaminated water before you scrub the unit down. Here are some additional tips on how to prevent mold in a window air conditioner. Plus, watching all that accumulated dust fly away is extremely satisfying. Store it inside in your garage or attic, and cover it with a cloth or a tarp. R37 Plumbing ROC #326384. What Cleaning Solution is Used to Clean a Window Air Conditioner. Our air conditioning services in Phoenix are designed to help you pinpoint and deal with these issues promptly. This allows you to get a better angle for cleaning. 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. 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. It’s especially common in areas where the weather gets humid and wet. Ensure the unit is off and that power is disconnected. Over time, these units can develop mold and other harmful bacteria if you clean them improperly or irregularly. Spray the peroxide on the unit, make sure you wear a mask as this will stop you from inhaling the chemical. Dirty air filters often require more energy to run, leading to increased electricity bills. A spray bottle filled with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing soap is our go-to cleaning solution around here. But some filters feature universal foam filters. On some air conditioners, the front panel (which is the one that faces inward when the unit is installed) is simply pressure-fit. Just be sure the unit is fully assembled and in place before you plug it back in. The easiest way to keep your window air conditioner in good working order is to clean it regularly. The best way to do that? In addition to cleaning the coils, you’ll also need to clean the tray or the base of your unit. Once the bigger debris is gone, spray it down with cleaner and wipe it down with a wet cloth. Mold anywhere in your house is dangerous. You may need to repeat these steps several times, depending on the severity of grime on your window air conditioner unit. 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. Also, clean the air conditioner front grille if it has mold on it. Whenever you want to perform internal work on your window air conditioner, you need to discharge its capacitor. Even worse, if mold develops in it, your health is at stake too as the spores will be released into your home. 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. Cleaning the Filter Monthly. Slide the unit’s casing away from the interior and keep it in a safe place, alongside the screws. For that reason, stick to a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Window air conditioners afford you the luxury of portability. of 4: Direct the spray into the air conditioner fins, which (being the outermost components) harbor much of the dirt and grime. 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. Then remove the air unit's plastic trim panel, most likely by snapping it off. – Each day, check your unit for signs of mildew and dust. You can still follow the upcoming steps; they’ll just be slightly trickier. Goodway’s CoilShine-BC is a good, EPA-approved option designed to inhibit mold growth for two years. Let everything dry for several hours before putting your window air conditioner back together again. Moisture and mold go together like Camelback Mountain and hiking. To clean the filter, remove the front panel of your HVAC unit and pull the filter out of its slot. 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. This will help you stay ahead of the curve on any issues that may be coming down the pipeline. This should be relatively straightforward. Then, using these made-for-purpose combs, remove all the dust and/or debris from the air conditioner’s fins. Remove the fins and front panel attachments. Make sure you wear your mask and gloves as the combination of mold and the disinfectant spray will be hazardous if inhaled. Step 2 Sprinkle a thin layer of powdered laundry detergent on the filter and cover it with hot water. Look and smell for signs of mildew. Some experts recommend just turning the air conditioner on after you’ve finished spraying and scrubbing. R39-R A/C & Refrig. We recommend cleaning or exchanging your filter at least once a month. How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner Method 1 Examine it monthly. If it is a disposable filter, make sure you have another filter to replace it with and skip the filter-cleaning steps below. Without a filter inside your AC Unit to trap air pollutants, your home’s air quality will deteriorate as it circulates. Let the cleaner sit on these parts for several minutes. You’ll almost certainly need to replace your filters and insulation. Depending on the build-up of the mold, it may take more than one application to get it all up. 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. They’ll need to actually remove the affected portion of your ducts and give it a good scrubbing. Clean the Inside of the Air Conditioner Unit. All rights reservedPMC Entertainment, Along with summer comes soaring temperatures and the need to cool your home using tower fans and home. Once you have your cleaning solution in hand, fill a spray bottle, like these glass versions from Sally’s Organics, with the hydrogen peroxide. #326306 If you see or smell it, spot clean the unit as laid out in steps one to three below. 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. Unplug the air conditioner. This method is typically recommended only for the outdoor condensing coil. Remove the unit's mounting frame and case by using a screwdriver to undo the screws that hold them into place; Step 3. 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. 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. 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. Mold is the result of a damp environment combined with dust and dirt. 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. Condensation forms in the coils and ducts as cool air circulates through the system, creating a habitat for moisture-loving mold. Before reassembling and reinstalling your air conditioner, let it dry thoroughly. Remove the filter from the front of your window air conditioner and place it in the sink. But, regular cleaning can fix all these issues and extend the life of your air conditioner unit to boot. It will probably be worn out after approximately three months of use. Ideally, you’ll want to get a foaming spray disinfectant that can permeate throughout your air conditioner and hunt those spores down. Follow the instructions on the bottle. 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. If your window air conditioner is installed in the kitchen, then its filter must be cleaned once a week. 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. One of the most important parts of your air conditioner, and one that needs regular cleaning, is the air filter. 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. Spray the coils down to remove any loose dirt and prepare the coil for a spray cleaner. Simply spray the air at the fins and the coils in both the front and the back of the air conditioner. 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. If you’re not able to remove your window air conditioner, don’t worry. Finally, replace the air filter with a new, good quality one. You should also wear gloves and wash anything that the spores come into contact with. Be very careful not to get the electronic components of your window air conditioner wet. Clean a Window Air Conditioner Air Filter twice a month. Removing your window air conditioner typically involves disconnecting the power, removing the front panel, and then gently pulling the unit inside. Mold can be very detrimental to your health, which is why it’s so important to address it promptly. 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. , failing to clean a window air conditioner unit will lead to a steady decline in performance and an increase in energy use. Spray the coil with water from the hose if its outdoors. Cleaning your window Air Conditioner yearly . Even with monthly cleaning, your air filter won’t last forever. First, remove the front panel of your unit. Should you continue to smell mildew even after spraying the unit down, you’ll need to do a deeper clean. If you leave moisture trapped within your air conditioner, you’ll just end up with a mold issue again. 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. You can also check out this great how-to video from Becky’s Homestead, which walks you through some of the more complicated steps. 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. When you do this, warm, moist air tends to build up inside the unit. If your central air conditioner filter isn’t regularly cleaned, it can collect dust, grime, bacteria, mildew and mold. But, regular cleaning can fix all these issues and extend the life of your air conditioner unit to boot. Monthly cleaning To get at the filter, remove the front panel of your air conditioner. Air conditioner vents can be breeding grounds for black mold. 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. of 4: If your filters are reusable, you’ll need to clean them with warm and soapy water. Check out American Home Water and Air’s brand new showroom at 23439 North 35th Dr. #7, Glendale, AZ 85310. Throughout the summer, you should check your unit for signs of mildew growth, like the distinctive scent. 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. Some of these issues, such as excess condensation or leaking, could lead to mold down the line. 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. How to Properly Clean Your Window Air Conditioner Step 1. While you have the unit open, you should use a can of compressed air, like this one from Dust-Off, to dust the coils. – After summer is over, it’s important to clean both the inside and outside of your unit, and then store it properly (if necessary). 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. Remove the air filter, then carefully use a narrow vacuum attachment to clean it out. Otherwise, you might end up with stained woodwork or carpet. 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. Without regular cleanings and maintenance, the air filter in your air conditioning unit becomes less effective. At the very least, you should be wearing an N-95 respirator mask when getting rid of mold. Let it sit in a bucket or your sink while you complete the remaining steps. You can also “dust” the motor and the fan at the middle of the unit if you can easily reach them. To clean the tray, vacuum it out with a wet-dry vacuum, like this one from Stanley. 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. It’s very important that you use a screwdriver with an insulated handle when doing this. Most clean their units at the end of the cooling season such as September but it can be cleaned whenever it is convenient. How to clean a window air conditioner mold buildup? Finally, you’re ready to get your air conditioner back in place! However, try to avoid spraying the control panel as water could damage the attached electronics. Using a soft bristle brush, you can scrub everything down at this point. First, remove the plastic filter holder/trim panel. 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. Use a sponge, brush, or cloth to soak up your mixture and start scrubbing the moldy areas. Look for a model or brand name on the front or sides of the appliance. 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. Here’s how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it. On other units, you’ll have to remove a few screws. Along with summer comes soaring temperatures and the need to cool your home using tower fans and home air conditioners. 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. If you are getting large groups of people in then once a week. Throughout the summer, you should check your unit for signs of mildew growth, like the distinctive scent. If you have a central air conditioner, check out this article for some tips on cleaning. Before cleaning, always remember to unplug the air conditioner and ensure you have the right gear like some goggles and gloves. Cleaning your air conditioner is extremely easy and inexpensive. Then open the grill and remove the filter. Can a Dirty Air Filter Make you Sick. This is the best way of cleaning. Turn the A/C off again and remove the filter, then spray the hydrogen peroxide further into your window unit. It’s very important that you don’t just replace your filters and then call it a day. 3. Spray mold and mildew remover to prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside your air conditioner. 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. Then remove the unit... Comb Out the Mats. Here’s how to clean a window air conditioner for mold. Pay special attention to scrubbing the unit’s grille as mold likes to hide out there. Cleaning mold from your central air conditioner ducts is a bit more finicky than removing it from a window unit. Most AC companies will have online manuals showing you exactly how to care for your model. Then, turn your air conditioner off and spray down both the intake area of the unit and the outflow area with the peroxide solution. But wait – how does mold get into your air conditioner in the first place? 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. – 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. Check out this post from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more information about cleaning mold. Don’t know how to access the filter in your window unit? 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. Should you see or smell mildew, you need to be careful about the type of cleaner you use. We would not recommend anything much more powerful than that for cleaning the inside of the air conditioner, especially the filter. It’s always good to let things dry for a bit, though, just in case you got some moisture in the electrical components. Even after you’ve unplugged the unit, there may be residual electricity inside that can shock you. You should also avoid leaving the air conditioner off for extended periods during the summer months (such as when you go on vacation). We’ll cover the method for this in steps six to nine below. Failure to do so may cause the spread of unwanted fumes, so please be careful! Air Conditioner Coil Cleaning Methods How to Clean AC Coils with Compressed Air. Your air conditioner’s manual will tell you the exact steps required to avoid this. In addition, a dirty air conditioner can impact the air quality in your home. Removing the dust from the inside of your air conditioner every three to six months will extend the life of your unit. 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. Keeping your air conditioner free of dust and debris will rob mold spores of their fuel. Step 2. 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. However, you’ll need to be very careful when brushing the coil. 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. Rinse the filter with warm water or use a vacuum with a crevice tool attachment if there’s a lot of built-up dirt. 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 … And then there’s the dreaded air conditioner smell, which can ruin the simple pleasure of basking in the air-conditioned breeze. Method 2 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. For most air conditioners, you’ll need to find the model number of your filter and order a replacement online. Remove the unit’s front panel to access the filter. The last step in the deep clean process is to spray all the pieces down with your garden hose. In this post, we discussed the importance of having your air conditioner looked at by a professional twice annually. Straighten the bent cooling fins with a fin comb. This includes both the case and the interior mechanics of the machine. Allow the solution to sit on these surfaces for approximately 10 minutes, then rinse with water and a damp cloth. Cleaning Window Air Conditioner Coils and Coil Fins Coils and coil fins need love, too! 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. However, you’re better off replacing them if you can, depending on the severity of your mold problem. One day it works fine, and the next, you can’t get cold air whatsoever. 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. You have to remove the filter from the unit and spray inside the conditioner.
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