How to Fix a Window Air Conditioner
When a window air conditioner cools poorly, it doesn't necessarily mean you're in for an expensive trip to the repair shop. It could be the machine just needs a good cleaning and some tender care. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bleach
- Plastic Scrub Brush
- Vacuum And Attachments
- Soap
- Fin Comb
- Putty Knife Or Screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Remove the front grill. Pry it off with a putty knife if it's held by clips, or use a screwdriver if it is screwed in place.
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2
Unplug the air conditioner, slide it out of the window cabinet and set it on a sturdy table. You may need a helper to move the air conditioner if it's heavy.
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3
Locate the mesh filter. It covers the radiator-like fins on the machine's evaporator coils.
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4
Remove the filter, and wash it and the grill in a mixture of warm, soapy water and bleach--this will remove any mold. Shake out the excess water and set the filter and grill in your dish drain to dry.
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5
Vacuum the evaporator coils thoroughly, using a vacuum with brush attachment. Remove any stubborn dirt with a plastic scrub brush.
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6
Inspect the fins on the coils. If any fins are bent or flattened, buy a fin comb from an appliance store and run the comb up or down the fins to straighten them.
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7
Turn the air conditioner around so the back is facing you. You will see a second set of coils--the machine's condenser coils.
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Vacuum these coils thoroughly, using the vacuum and brush attachment. Remove any stubborn dirt with a plastic scrub brush.
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9
Inspect the fins on the condenser coils, and if any are bent, use the fin comb to straighten them.
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Remove any dirt or lint from inside the unit, using the vacuum and crevice attachment. Make sure you clean the fan blades, too, using the vacuum and brush attachment.
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11
Put the air conditioner back into the window cabinet.
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12
Reinstall the filter and front grill, and plug in the machine.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Having a hard time vacuuming dust deep inside the coils? Take the air conditioner outside and use a leaf blower to blow the dust away.
Clean the filter monthly when the air conditioner is running. The machine will cool better, and you'll cut energy consumption 5 to 15 percent.
Take extra care when working around the fins on the evaporator and condenser coils. They are extremely delicate and bend easily.
Comments
View all 6 Comments-
hopebeck
Aug 14, 2009
My window unit occationally leaked inside the window so I cleaned it and the filter. It then started blowing some frosty looking air. Occasionally it would grind but not louldy. It then started to blow on 1 side only. It then quit w/no power. Any advice? -
roy777
Sep 14, 2007
water blows with the air out front what should i do? -
roy777
Sep 14, 2007
water blows with the air out front what should i do? -
MsRottie
Aug 09, 2007
Help!! I can not figure out how to get the cover off my Goldstar R2006 window air conditioner. After removing the screws from the back cover, do I have to literally pry it off with a screwdriver? I'm afraid I'm going to break the front platic cover if I pry anything off. Thanks in advance for any help. -
Aug 06, 2006
If you have a side that will not budge when removing the front grill, remove the dials. Knowing about this hidden screw under the dial of my Kenmore would have saved me a great deal of time and aggravation. The screws on the sides were irrelevant for the grill attachment. It turned out that the grill was attached by this single hidden screwed.