If you know the trick on how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it, then cleaning is just fun. Window air conditioners are great pieces of electronics that grant us the ability to keep and maintain our interiors cooler. They facilitate the inflow and the circulation of cold air in the rooms wherein we choose to deploy them. In most cases, they demand that you remove them while cleaning them.
That ought not really to be the case. It is indeed possible for you to clean them without really getting them off from where they are fixed. We are here to help you to accomplish this aim. Our discussions below endeavor to examine the steps you may have to take to achieve this end.
How To Clean A Window Air Conditioner Without Removing It
We now get to the business to clean a window air conditioner without removing the same:
The Importance of Cleaning your Window AC
To start out, we examine the overall importance of cleaning your window air conditioning systems:
Guarantee the Smooth Inflow of Air
Cleaning the same is a sure way of allowing the smooth inflow of air into the rooms. The process of cleaning eliminates the impurities and other debris that may compromise the quality of the air. In the course of doing that, it makes the air to be truly breathable for you.
Reduce the Wastage of the Power
Clogged air conditioners have the adverse side effects of using excess power. It hence goes that by cleaning the systems now and then you indirectly reduce the possibilities of the wastage of the power. That way you also reap big in the ways of reduced utility expenses.
Lower the Noise Output
Faulty or dirty air conditioning units are usually prone to the risks of too much noise output. It hence goes that by choosing to have yours cleaned now and then, you yield forth reduced noise output. Definitely, this is great because it keeps your interior occupants more comfortable.
Lengthen the Lifespan of the Item
A device that is cleaned now and then is sure to last longer and ensure smoother operations all the while. What does this mean? You get to reduce the amount of money you would naturally have to part with to purchase newer gadgets now and then.
Improve the overall efficiency of the Item
Regular cleaning also improves the overall efficiency of the items. It sees to it that the various parts operate smoothly and devoid of any hassles on your part. Why would you want to compromise your own comfort and utmost peace of mind by leaving the item dirty?
Tools and materials your need to clean a window air conditioner
You will generally need the following tools and materials to undertake a typical window air conditioner cleaning exercise:
- Screwdriver
- Wet/dry vacuum with a nozzle attachment
- Commercial AC coil cleaner
- Garden hose
- Dish soap
- Bleach
- Large plastic bucket
- Scrubbing sponge
- Oxygenated household cleaner
6 Steps Process For Cleaning Window Air Conditioner
#1 Put on the necessary protective gears
As always, you should kick the exercise off by putting on the necessary protective gear. These include helmets, a pair of gloves, aprons, overall, and the boots. You can never at all compromise your own health and safety while carrying out this noble objective.
#2 Prepare the work area
Follow the above step by prepping the work area. You do this one cordoning off the area where you intend to work and illuminating the same. The purpose of the cordon off is to keep the passersby away from the area, minimal children. Follow it up by illuminating the area.
#3 Turn off the unit
Now turn off the unit. The purpose of this turning off is to prevent the possibilities of electrical shocks from arising in the course of engaging the apparatus. If possible, you should go to the main meter and have the entire circuit switched off.
#4 Blow the dust
Get to the core business of eliminating the debris now. At this stage, you should blow the dust off. Use a dust blower to eliminate any hanging dust on the system. Be slow and gentle to eliminate any possibilities of damaging some parts permanently.
#5 Scrub the stains
Having eliminated all the dirt, you should now scrub off all the stains. Use a clean piece of cloth and warm soapy water to undertake this end. Be slow and meticulous yet again to minimize any likely damages that may arise in the course of cleaning.
#6 Rinse and dry the window unit
After you are through, you should rinse the unit and then dry it out. This will require the extensive use of a piece of clean and dry cloth. Though not a must, you may also consider upgrading parts or conducting minor repairs to the system at this stage.
Have some mold in your air conditioning units? Follow the steps below to eliminate the same:
#1 Blow off the dust and spray the unit
Start the exercise off by blowing the dust from off the surface and then spraying a potent solution on the affected portions of the surfaces. Leave the warm soapy water on the surface for some time to dissolve the gunk. Refrain from spraying the controls and electronics of the machine.
#2 Scrub out the mold and rinse
Go ahead now to scrub the mold and then rinse the same using some scrub brush. Be sure to apply maximum effort while at the same time taking great care that you do not pose any damages to the parts of the machine.
#3 Allow it to dry
After you are done with the scrubbing, use another piece of cloth to eliminate the debris and to rinse the surfaces. Conclude the exercise by letting the machine to dry on its own. The entire drying may take even 24 hours depending on the ambient temperature levels.
Safety Measures
In the course of cleaning your window air conditioner without removing it, you are supposed to adhere to the following safety measures:
Put on the necessary protective gears
Before you start the exercise, you should put on the necessary protective gear. These are the aprons, overall, helmet, visor, and the pair of gloves. They serve to spare your body from any harm that may potentially arise in the course of engaging this task.
Be slow and consistent
The window air conditioning units are generally delicate. You can never hence afford to rush the exercise. Instead, you should be slow and consistent while at it. By being slow, you also get to prevent the emergence of accident and other issues that may break the systems apart.
Keep children away
While carrying this exercise out, you should make a deliberate effort to keep the small children away from you. They are easily hurt or compromised by the debris that falls off. Perhaps the best way to go about this is to cordon the area off and even lock the children in another room.
Ventilate the area
Needless to say, you have to ventilate the area. The purpose of the ventilation is to minimize the likelihood of suffocating the interior occupants at the time of the repair exercise. For your own respiratory health also, you want to enjoy a free and unimpeded inflow and circulation of the air.
Illuminate the place thoroughly
To do an even better job, you should properly illuminate the room where you are working. It is only by illuminating the area that you will be able to properly see what you are doing. Chances of you making some mistakes are hence suppressed by a considerable margin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Let’s take a look now at some questions that are persistently asked in regard to this particular topic:
1. Can I spray Lysol in my window air conditioner?
A. YES, you can! Spraying the Lysol® All-Purpose Cleaner to the coils eliminates the clogged debris and other impurities that may exist thereon. The end result of such an approach is such that the items are completely free and devoid of any issues that may impede their smoother operations.
2. Can you hose down a window air conditioner?
A. YES, but you don’t have to! Our explanations above have already shown you how to clean such a unit without necessarily removing the same from where it is installed. All you have to do is exercise some great patience and utmost care when tackling the issue to avoid inflicting any damages thereupon.
3. How can I hide my window air conditioner?
A. You may accomplish this in several ways. For one, you may use a curtain to overlay the conditioner and conceal it from the view of the people. Then again, you may, if you so wish, add some vintage character to the room to disguise the appearance of the item altogether.
4. Why is my window AC not blowing cold air?
A. It could be that the filter of the air conditioner is clogged or too dirty to allow for the smooth flow of the air. If and when the issue persists, you are advised to unclog the parts using some specialized pieces of equipment. You may also blow a modest amount of strong air to scatter the debris away.
5. What is the lifespan of a window air conditioner?
A. About 10 to 25 years. For the fan to last longest, you have to maintain and upgrade it from time to time. Other factors that also count are the location of use, the energy efficiency of the unit, its maintenance regimes, and the frequency of the usage thereof.
Conclusion
WOW! We bring an end to our look into the matter of how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it there. As you may see, it is indeed still possible for you to do that. However, the entire exercise is quite delicate and prone to some issues here and there.
We suggest that you take your time and go slow while carrying out the business. Also, if you are stuck, we ask you to seek the assistance of someone who has already attempted the exercise before. Let him take you through the entire process slowly and steadily. Please share the insight far and wide as well.