If your home relies on window air conditioners to stay cool in the summer, they have a significant drawback. You can’t leave them in place over the winter unless you like cold breezes and high energy bills. As a result, you must remove your window ACs and store them until needed the following year. But doing that correctly is more complicated than pulling your AC out of the window and calling it a day. Here’s how you can properly store your window ACs for winter.
Assemble the Right Supplies
Before you ever touch your AC, the first thing to do is assemble all the right supplies for the job. You will need a towel or an absorbent drop cloth. If you use a towel, make sure it’s one you don’t mind getting dirty. You will also need a garbage bag that’s large enough to cover your entire window AC or a tarp with bungee cords.
To clean your AC for storage, you’ll also need a sponge, a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, and a 50/50 mixture of cleaning vinegar and water. If you have one available, you can fill a spray bottle with the mixture to make cleaning easier. You’ll also need a wire tie to secure your AC’s power cord.
Remove Your AC From the Window
After gathering your supplies, take your AC out of its window. Before you do, place your towel or tarp on the ground below the inside of the window. If you’ve used your AC recently, there’s a good chance it still has accumulated water inside. The floor covering is there to soak up any water that drips out of your AC.
The first step in the removal process is to unplug your AC. Then, coil its wire up as close to the unit as possible and secure it with a wire tie. That will keep it out of your way so you don’t trip on the wire or damage your AC.
Next, you can begin taking your AC out of its window. You should recruit a friend, family member, or neighbor to help if possible. Window ACs can weigh 80 pounds or more and aren’t the easiest things to safely move around. When you’re ready, remove any insulation or foam installed in the gaps between the AC and window. Then, remove the screws that secure your AC’s extendable side panels in place, if applicable. Next, push the side panels in until they’re as close to the AC as possible. It’s a good idea to place the screws in a small, sealable bag. You can then store it with your AC for the following year.
The next step is to grasp the upper edge of the AC. If you’re working with a friend, you can each hold a side. If you’re alone, position your hand in the middle of the unit’s upper edge. Then, pull your AC inwards as you open the window sash above it slightly. You should be able to slowly slide the AC into your home without fully opening the window. Once it’s far enough inside your home for you to reach its rear edge, lift the AC onto the waiting towel. When it’s there, tip your AC toward its outside end to let any accumulated water drain.
Clean Your AC
Your next task is to clean the outside of your AC thoroughly. That will protect its metal housing and help the unit last longer while enduring the elements. You can spray the AC case with your vinegar mixture and clean it with the sponge. You don’t need to rinse the mixture off, as it will evaporate on its own.
Next, use your vacuum’s soft brush attachment to clean the fins on your AC’s outside end. Be very careful as you do this. If you bend the fins, your AC’s cooling capacity will be compromised. You will need a fin comb if you slip and bend any fins or find any already bent ones. You can purchase them online or in your local hardware or home improvement store. The comb will let you straighten bent fins without risking further damage to your AC.
You can also open or remove your AC’s front cover to clean inside it. At that point, you should remove your AC’s air filter and rinse it in a sink. Behind the filter, you’ll find another set of fins that you can vacuum. Again, be careful not to bend the fins as you clean. When the fins and filter are clean, reinstall the filter and the unit’s front cover.
Cover Your AC
Once your AC is clean inside and out, you must cover it to keep it that way during the offseason. That will prevent dust and dirt inside your home from spoiling your hard work. If you’re using a garbage bag as a cover, be careful not to tear it as you slide your AC in. If you’re using a tarp, you can place the AC on top of it and then wrap the AC like you would a present. Then, use bungee cords to secure the tarp in place, avoiding damaging its fins in the process. If you have the original box in which your AC came, you can place your covered AC in it for extra protection.
Find a Safe Storage Spot
Your last task is finding a safe storage location for your window ACs. If you have only one, it should be easy. If you have a garage, you can keep your window AC there in the offseason. However, you shouldn’t put it directly on your garage floor. Instead, use sections of two-by-fours to raise it off the floor. That will prevent your AC from suffering damage if anything spills on your garage floor. You should also store your window AC right side up to protect the compressors from damage. If you have multiple window ACs to store, it’s important to note that you can’t stack them. Each AC will need its own storage spot. Window ACs aren’t designed to support weight; stacking them could damage their internal mechanisms.
Local Air Conditioning Experts
If you’re tired of dealing with window air conditioners in your Glendale, AZ, home, Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical can help. We sell and install the latest ductless mini-split AC systems from trusted manufacturers like Bryant. Our NATE-certified HVAC specialists can install one in your home to make your window ACs a thing of the past. We offer a 100% guarantee on parts and labor and financing options on approved credit. We also offer complete HVAC repair and maintenance services as well as plumbing and electrical services. And you won’t find a more trusted service provider in the area.
We’re screened and approved by HomeAdvisor and have won multiple Best Of awards from the Glendale Star. We even won the Expertise.com award for the best AC Repair Service in Glendale. If you want a replacement for your window ACs in Glendale, call Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical today!
