How to Clean Your Window Air Conditioner

If you’re cooling your home this summer with a window air conditioner, you’ll know all too well just how important its cleanliness is to its performance.

Summers in Australia can get particularly hot, we all know it. That’s precisely why an air conditioning system can be a genuine lifesaver, especially for elderly or particularly vulnerable occupants of your home. Of course, the more you use your aircon, the more susceptible it is to getting clogged with dirt and dust.

This all means that your window air conditioner is less capable of delivering the cool air you need.

Whether you have one installed in your living room, bedroom or elsewhere in your home, keeping your window air conditioner clean is a must. Let’s take a look at how to go about it.

What is a Window Air Conditioner?

Let’s first have a quick rundown of exactly what a window air conditioner is.

Also known as a box air conditioner or window wall air conditioner, this air conditioner type differs from your ducted or split system models. It plugs straight into the wall and fits either into an old-fashioned window frame or a specially cut hole in the wall (hence the “wall air conditioner” name).

Like split and ducted systems, window air conditioners can come in reverse cycle models, so you can enjoy cooling comfort in summer and warm air in winter. In addition to year-round comfort, one of the main advantages of a window air conditioner is its portability.

The fact that it fits in the window frame and plugs into the wall means you can take it if and when you move house. The easy installation and portable nature make window wall air conditioners a great option for renters who may relocate regularly.

How Often Do Window ACs Need Cleaning?

To ensure your window air conditioner continues to function at its best for as long as possible, it is important to uphold a regular maintenance and cleaning schedule. But how regularly should you have your aircon cleaned?

Generally, you should look at cleaning your window aircon unit at least once a year if not twice yearly. You’ll be best served by cleaning the filters once a month and replacing the filters every three months.

If you opt for just the once-a-year window air conditioner cleaning option, the best time to get it done is before the first use of the summer.

For twice-yearly cleans, once at the beginning of summer and another in preparation for winter (especially if you have a reverse cycle box air conditioner) should keep the unit happy. If you happen to still have the manual, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Otherwise, you can follow our trusty guide.

Common Signs Your Window Wall Air Conditioner Needs a Clean

Cleaning your window wall air conditioner is crucial for many reasons. It will benefit you in many ways, including:

• Lower energy bills and greater energy efficiency
• A reduction in the growth and eventual spread of mould
• A longer lifespan for your aircon
• Reduced need for necessary repairs to major components or the whole unit
• Cleaner, healthier air for your room and house as a whole

Most importantly, clean window air conditioners mean healthier homes. Mould growth, accumulated dust, and dirt build-up in the unit can act as allergens or exacerbate existing health conditions. Cleaning out window units removes these irritants and reduces the potential for allergies and illness affecting you and your family.

The Window Air Con Cleaning Process

To clean your window air conditioner, you will need to gather some essential materials and tools. Be sure to grab a:

• Screwdriver
• Bucket of warm water
• Detergent or mild soap
• A recyclable, eco-friendly damp cloth
• A drip tray to collect water used in the cleaning process
• Spray bottle containing hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration should be okay)
• Soft bristle brush
• Compressed air
• Protective gloves
• Vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment

Before we run through the steps to clean a window air conditioner, you must switch off the air conditioner and unplug it from the wall first.

1. Remove and Clean the Face Panel

Your window air conditioner’s face panel will likely be fixed to your unit with screws, tabs or clips. Consult the user manual for detailed instructions on removing the panel from your window air conditioner.

Put on your protective gloves and spray the removed face panel with your hydrogen peroxide solution. Leave it for only a few minutes before using your cloth to clean off the spray. An alternative option is to take the face panel outside and clean it off with a garden hose. Once you’ve cleaned the face panel, leave it aside to air dry while you continue cleaning the rest of the air conditioner.

2. Clean the Air Filter

This is possibly the most important part of the cleaning process. Not only will it make the conditioned air cleaner, but it will also make your air conditioner more energy efficient. Even if you choose not to persist with the other steps, cleaning the filter of your window AC unit should be a matter of importance.

Generally, your unit’s filter will either be situated in or just behind the face plate, so you can usually take both off the air conditioner at the same time.

Once you’ve taken the filter out, remove any significant amounts of dirt and dust build-up with your vacuum cleaner. You can then remove any remaining traces of dust and dirt with a wet cloth.

3. Clean Out the Inside of Your Window Air Conditioner with a Vacuum

Time to get the vacuum out again, this time to clean out the interior of your window AC. Be sure to get into the evaporator at the front of the unit and the condenser at the back.

It’s especially important that you clean the thin, aluminium fins on each of these. To prevent the fins from bending or getting damaged, make sure you use the soft brush attachment, and vacuum in the same direction as the fins.

Additionally, in the middle of the unit, you’ll need to clean out the fan and the blower. At the bottom of the air conditioner, you’ll need to vacuum the drain pan as well.

4. Spray the Air Conditioner with the Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

Take your hydrogen peroxide spray bottle and spray the inside of the cabinet and the outside housing. Wipe down everything you can get to – inside and out – with a clean cloth. For the condenser and evaporator coils, it is safe to use the same hydrogen peroxide solution. Coil cleaning is important for any AC unit.

You can also use a spray cleaner specifically designed for air conditioner evaporator and condenser coils. Whichever option you choose, you can either allow the cleaning solution to air dry, or rinse it off.

Should you prefer to rinse off the cleaning solution, allow it to sit for a good 10-20 minutes first. This allows it to soften up any hardened dust and dirt deposits, making it effectively easier to clean.

5. Get the Fins Straightened Out

If the cleaning process has bent any fins out of shape, it’s important to bend them back into shape to ensure your window air conditioner continues to work at its best. Be sure to have your protective gloves on – safety is paramount, after all.

Then take a knife or a fin comb and place it into the gaps between the fins. It’s important that you insert it just above or below the points that are bent. Then softly move the knife or comb parallel to the untouched fins until those that have been affected are straightened.

And there you have it! You can now reattach the face plate to the unit and enjoy cooler, cleaner air.

How to Keep Your Window Unit Cleaner for Longer

Cleaning your window air conditioner might seem like a bit of a chore, but it is certainly important. You can make the process just that little bit easier though, simply by following these helpful tips in between each yearly (or twice yearly) clean.

We’ve said it before; make sure to clean the air filter once a month. Every three months, replace the filter.

Give the outside of your window air conditioning unit a light dusting once a week and, once a month, wash it with a cloth dampened with warm water.

If you tend not to use the unit in the cooler months of the year, take it out of the window and put it away for when you will be using it more frequently.

A thorough cleaning of your window air conditioner is certainly something you can do yourself. But for any major servicing, maintenance or repairs, a licensed air conditioning technician is your safest bet.

Contact the heating and cooling specialists at Metropolitan Air Conditioning for any essential repairs or maintenance needs so you can enjoy relief from the heat this summer.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.