Updated August 15, 2024
Your window AC unit is an essential part of your home, but it can become dirty and build up dust, pollen, and other particles over time. If you want to keep your AC unit running efficiently, you’ll need to clean it regularly.
By keeping your AC unit clean, you’ll also keep your home air cleaner by preventing mildew and mold from growing inside the interior cabinet of the AC. Mildew and mold growing inside your window air conditioner can be dangerous. They allow mold spores to spread throughout your home and potentially cause respiratory illness or other health problems. Additionally, a clean window AC unit runs more efficiently, thus saving you money on your utility bills.
Fortunately, cleaning your window air conditioner is very easy. Before you get started, grab the following supplies:
- Reusable cloth or rag
- Mild soap or detergent
- Warm water
- Compressed air can
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Hand vacuum
- Soft-bristle brush or fin comb
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Follow the steps below to keep your window AC unit clean and running smoothly.
1. Unplug Your Window AC
Ensure you disconnect your AC from all power sources by unplugging all the electrical cords going into the AC. If your AC is wired directly to your home, turn off your home’s master circuit breaker or disconnect the unit from the fuses.
Follow your window AC unit’s instructional manual for discharging the unit’s capacitor. Essentially, a capacitor holds an extra charge to help kick-start the unit. Therefore this step is crucial in ensuring your unit does not experience electrical shock.
2. Clean the Grill and Exterior
Some face panels can be removed easily using your hands. Other face panels have screws or plastic hooks that need to be removed. Look at the unit’s instruction manual for a picture of your particular model and follow the steps to remove the face panel.
Clean out any dust or particles using a rag and warm water. If you don’t want to wash the face panel, you can instead use a soft-bristle brush to wipe dirt from the front cover. After this step, use a soft cloth or rag to wipe down the exterior of your unit.
3. Clean the Filter
A significant amount of debris and dirt gets trapped in your unit’s filter, so it is important to regularly clean the filter. Follow your window AC unit’s user manual to find out how to get the filter out of your unit. After this step, place the filter in a sink or bucket filled with warm water and mild detergent. Swish the filter around in the water to clean the dirt off.
If the filter is extremely dirty, scrub it gently with a soft-bristle brush to remove all the dirt. Use a soft cloth to wipe the filter dry, and allow it to air-dry completely before reinstalling it.
4. Vacuum the Inside of the Unit
The interior of the unit must be cleaned using a vacuum. You can reach inside and vacuum the interior using a hand vacuum or gentle brush for most units. Thoroughly vacuum the sides of the unit, the bottom, and the back to remove any dust and debris.
Pay special attention to any vents, filters, or fans. Use a vacuum hose to reach any openings, such as vents or fan blades. You can use a vacuum brush attachment to clean the aluminum fins inside. Alternatively, you can use compressed air to blow out any dust or debris from the unit’s fins and coils.
5. Treat and Reassemble the Unit
Spray all the interior components of your window AC with 3% hydrogen peroxide to treat any mold or mildew that may be growing. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to dry completely before you reassemble the unit. Now, you can enjoy cleaner air inside your home and a more energy-efficient air conditioner.
Your Professional Air Conditioning Services
Cleaning your window air conditioner is a simple task, but it can be difficult to clean if the unit is especially dirty or contaminated. In this case, we recommend that you contact a professional air conditioning service that specializes in cleaning air conditioners. You can rely on Northwest HVAC Heating & Cooling, a certified Coleman Comfort Expert company in the Clark County area. At Northwest HVAC Heating & Cooling, we offer heating, cooling, and air conditioning services. We provide a wide range of services, including installation, repair, and replacement.
Our NATE-certified technicians can help you maintain your home’s heating and A/C systems by performing everything from routine maintenance to full-scale repairs. Additionally, our team of technicians only uses high-quality products, so you can trust that our work will last as long as you need it to.
