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Whether sitting in a window or mounted in a wall aperture, all components of a room air conditioner are enclosed within its cabinet. A portion of the front panel is usually removable for access to the filter and to the evaporator coils beneath. During the cooling season, clean the filter by washing or vacuuming it at least once a month. Gently vacuum the evaporator coils with a brush attachment at the same time. Edges of the coil fins can be sharp and will cut exposed skin, so wear gardening or leather gloves if necessary to protect hands and fingers.
At the end of the cooling season, unplug and remove the unit from its mounting location if possible. Get help when moving the air conditioner, because window units weigh anywhere from 50 pounds to more than 130 pounds and their dimensions can make them cumbersome to handle alone. Remove the screws attaching the cabinet to the chassis. In some cases, the metal cabinet resembles an upside-down “U” — open in the front and back — when removed from the chassis. On other units, the chassis slides into and out of the front of the cabinet "sleeve."
Brush or vacuum away any dirt you see, scrub the condenser pan at the bottom of the chassis using diluted bleach and a nylon brush or pad to remove mold and mildew, then rinse interior components using a garden hose. Exercise caution around the condenser coil fins at the back of the unit – they’re sharp. Wrap electronic controls and adjacent wiring in plastic before rinsing the unit.
If you remove the unit for winter storage, cover it with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting to prevent dust from settling inside the unit. The exterior cabinets of air conditioners left in place during winter should be protected with an air-conditioner cover or wrapped in plastic. This will keep dirt away from the unit — and keep cold drafts out of your home.
Once you clean the filter for the last time of the season, the unit will be ready for installation and immediate service next summer.
