4 Ways To Get Your Window-Mounted Air Conditioner Ready For Spring
It might be the middle of winter right now, but those cold temperatures will give way to springtime warmth sooner or later. When that happens, you'll want your window-mounted air conditioner ready to spring into action and help keep your home cool. There's plenty you can do to prepare your window-mounted A/C unit for the spring and summer months, including these 4 helpful tips:
Clean or Replace the Air Filter
A dirty air filter can negatively impact your window-mounted A/C system's cooling performance in several ways. Not only won't it be able to cool your room as effectively or efficiently, but the poor airflow caused by the dust and debris buildup can also cause your A/C to overheat and eventually shut down.
It's always a good idea to replace your existing air filter with a new, clean filter before putting your A/C back into service. If your window-mounted A/C unit comes with a washable filter, use warm water and mild detergent to carefully scrub the filter. Allow the filter to dry before reinstalling it into the A/C unit.
Check the Unit for Insects or Rodents
If you've removed your A/C unit for the fall and winter, there's a good chance you've kept it stashed in the attic or basement. It's not out of the ordinary to find a few unwelcome guests in your window-mounted A/C while putting it back into service. If you see insect debris or rodent droppings near your A/C unit, you should take the time to root out any creatures you find in your A/C unit before using it again.
Clean and Straighten the Coils
It's a good idea to clean the evaporator and condenser coils on your window-mounted A/C unit before it's placed into service again. This can be done by removing the front and top covers from the unit and gently scrubbing both coils with a soft-bristle brush and some mild detergent. Don't forget to thoroughly rinse and dry the unit before reassembling it.
Also take a moment to spot any bent fins on the evaporator or condenser coil. If you see any bent fins, use a fin comb to straighten them out.
Have a Pro Check the Refrigerant
Before you start using your window-mounted A/C unit again, you should have your HVAC technician check the amount of refrigerant that's in the unit. Checking and handling refrigerant can be dangerous and hazardous, so it's a good idea to leave this task in the hands of the professionals.
It's not unusual for window-mounted A/C systems to lose refrigerant during storage, usually due to undetected leaks. To that end, you should also have your technician thoroughly check the unit for leaks and make repairs where needed. For more assistance, consider checking with companies like Allied Mechanical & Electrical, Inc.