How To Prepare Your Window AC For Winter Storage. It’s best to start a post-summer ritual for your AC during late fall and winter.
Unless you plan to use your reversible air conditioner during the summer season, this is when you unload, cover, and carefully prepare air conditioners until the next season.
Preparing your window air conditioner may seem like a lengthy and cumbersome process but it will keep these units in top shape throughout the coming months and help save on utility bills
financially. You might be wondering how one can save on utility bills by doing all of this. Let’s find out now:
How To Prepare Your Window AC For Winter Storage
The following article discusses some tips for preparing your window air conditioner for the winter.
Disconnect The AC Unit
As discussed before, air conditioners are heavy pieces of equipment.
Since it’s not advisable to work with them alone, gather a friend or two and prepare a few towels or an old blanket or two to place underneath the AC unit before you lift it out of the opening.
If there isn’t a drain hole nearby that you can use instead then pull out the overflow water tray under your AC unit as well.
Remember, if you’re working in an older home like my house that doesn’t have window-mounted air conditioners but instead has tubular units installed in a cut-out cavity within the wall or window frame itself, make sure you cover up this area to keep things as clean and dry as possible.
Filter Cleaning
First, you will need to remove all obstacles in the way of your air conditioning unit.
Once that’s cleared, it’s time to prepare your unit for a long vacation. The first and most important thing you have to do is clean out the air filter.
You should be able to let the air conditioner bask in a bath in white vinegar and water and let it sit there until your pet dander has loosened its grip enough to wipe off and leave the rest of the machine spick and span and in mint condition before putting it away for a long wait till another season comes around.
Unit Coverage
Heavy fabric covers made to fit AC units can be found in most hardware stores because they are used to protect the units from seasonal elements such as heavy snow, rain, ice, or even hail.
Slide one of these covers over the outside portion of your air conditioning unit so it can remain protected throughout this winter season.
You might also consider getting a cover for your window AC unit in the event that you have extremely bad weather such as storms with high winds during any part of the year, but just make sure you don’t turn on your window AC unit with the cover in place.
Weatherize Your Unit
Remove the outside cover from the window air conditioning unit so that the inside components are exposed.
Place a thick plastic garbage bag over the unit so it entirely covers it and tucks any excess parts inside as well as use duct tape to hold this in place if necessary.
Once your unit is covered, reinstall the outer piece of your air conditioner.
Wash Condenser Coils And Water Pan
Your air conditioner’s condenser coils are responsible for removing heat from inside your home, and over time will become dirty.
The harder the AC has to work to remove the heat, the more expensive it will be for you to run. Follow these steps if your coils have become dirty.
Remove any panels or covers on your outside unit so that you can access the condensers and fins. Gently blow out dirt and other material from the fins with pressurized air.
Use a soft brush on any clumps of dirt or other material. Pour warm water onto an absorbent towel, then wipe down the condensation pan where water drips from inside your home. Dry thoroughly before covering up.
Locate A Good Storage Location
It’s advised that you store window air conditioners during the winter. Leaving them exposed in the window can cause drafts and may lead to increased energy bills.
The best place to store your AC unit is in an attic, basement, or utility room. Keep it out of garages as rodents, such as mice and rats, are more likely to take shelter in it chewing on wires can be very expensive.
If you must mount the unit in a window, ensure you install an air conditioner cover that is specifically designed to protect AC units from weather damage.
How To Prepare Your Window AC For Winter Storage
Related Guides
