How to Store a Window Air Conditioner
Storing your window air conditioner during the winter is a critical part of care and maintenance. If you’re not sure how to winterize your unit, this guide explains how to store a window air conditioner so you can improve its performance and extend its lifespan.
Supplies
- Warm Water
- Mild Detergent
- Cleaning Cloths
- Clean Towels
- Safety Gloves
- Small, Soft-Bristle Brush, such as a Toothbrush (for cleaning the coils)
- Small Vacuum (for cleaning the coils)
- Screwdriver (for the mounting screws)
- Plastic Bags (for storing screws and window insulation)
- Original Box or Garbage Bags (for covering the unit)
Window air conditioners can weigh up to 80 lbs (36.3 kg), so use caution when taking them out of the window. To avoid injury, wear safety gloves, closed toe shoes and ask someone to help you. If you don’t feel comfortable handling the unit, call a service technician to uninstall the unit.
How to Store a Window Air Conditioner For The Winter
Remove the Unit from the Window
A falling air conditioner can cause serious injury or even death, so make sure no children or pets are under or near the unit when you begin the following procedure. Also, if the unit is installed in a second-floor window or higher, make sure no one is directly below the unit.
- Step 1. Turn off the unit - Use the power switch to turn the unit off.
- Step 2. Unplug the air conditioner - Cut power to the unit by removing the power cord from the outlet.
- Step 3. Place a towel under the window - Water may drip from the condensation pan while you handle the unit, so it’s a good idea to put a towel on the floor under the window.
- Step 4. Remove insulation and screws / mounting materials from around the unit - Pull out any insulation around the unit and remove any screws or other mounting materials. For more specific directions, refer to your owner’s manual.
- Step 5. Remove the air conditioner from the window - Then, take the air conditioner out of the window. If you’re not comfortable lifting up to 80 lbs (36.3 kg), ask someone to help you or make an appointment with a licensed technician to remove the unit.
- Step 6. Close the window - Once the unit is out of the window, close the window and start prepping the unit for storage.
Clean the Air Conditioner
It’s important to make sure the filter is clean before storing your window air conditioner for the winter. The filter may take up to 2 hours to dry completely after washing, so plan accordingly.
- Step 1. Remove the front panel - Take off the face / cover so you can access the interior. Although most models use screws to hold the front panel in place, refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to detach the panel.
- Step 2. Clean the filter and coils - Next, clean the filter with warm, soapy water and clean cloths. Then, clean the coils with a soft brush and/or a small vacuum. For more specific instructions, refer to our article on how to clean a window air conditioner.
- Step 3. Reassemble the unit - Once the filter and coils are clean, reassemble the unit.
- Step 4. Wipe down the exterior - Then, use clean, damp cloth to wipe away any dust, dirt or other particles on the exterior.
- Step 5. Dry the air conditioner - To complete the cleaning process, dry the exterior with a clean, soft cloth.
Store the Window Air Conditioner
To avoid damaging the compressor, be sure to store the unit in an upright position. It’s also important to not stack objects on top of the unit, as well as to avoid leaning objects against the back of the AC unit that may puncture or bend the coils.
- Step 1. Select a good location - To avoid damage from extreme temperatures or nuisance animals, unheated sheds and garages generally aren’t good locations to store your unit; instead, heated basements, attics and utility rooms are better options.
- Step 2. Prepare the space - Whether you store your window air conditioner on a table or on the floor, clear an area for the unit and lay down a clean towel in case the unit drips over the winter.
- Step 3. Place in the proper position - Store the window air conditioner on a level surface so that it isn’t tilted, on its side or upside down; instead, store it upright, exactly as it is when installed in the window.
- Step 4. Store window insulation and screws / mounting materials with the unit - Collect the insulation, screws and other mounting materials and place them in bags next to the unit.
- Step 5. Cover the unit - To minimize dust, cover your unit by either placing it in the box it was sold in or covering it with plastic bags.