How to Remove Window Air Conditioners in Fall

Air conditioners provide much needed relief from the sweltering summer heat, but they have limited use once the weather cools off. These units can actually make your home draftier in the fall because of how they sit in windows. You need to remove window air conditioners in the fall to help prepare your home for winter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Work gloves
• Hammer
• Tools

1. Turn off your air conditioner and unplug its power cord.
2. Take off the front cover of the unit, which usually houses the filter screen, and set it aside.
3. Remove foam padding or piece of trim that are surrounding the sides of your air conditioner. You may need to use the prying end of a hammer to loosen up some of the insulation.
4. Throw the insulation away or set it out of the way if you plan to reuse it next year.
5. Put on some work gloves and lift the air conditioner and pull it out of the windrow. You might need help from a friend or family member because air conditioner units tend to be fairly heavy.
6. Set the air conditioner aside and use a screwdriver to unscrew the wooden base from the windowsill.
7. Put the air conditioner away in storage along with the wooden window rest and insulation if you'll be reusing them.
8. Get a glass windowpane out of storage and put it in the window. Since you're preparing for fall and winter, you might want to put storm windows in for more insulation.

Tips & Warnings

• Your air conditioner might have an external casing unit that sits outside the window. These are usually easily removed with a screwdriver.
• You may want to do some touch up on the window frame if the air conditioning unit has scratched it up.
• Don't forget to add weather stripping to the new window to help increase your insulation.
• Figure out the best place to store your air conditioner so that it isn't damaged by the weather. Most units store well in attics or garages, but you might want to box it up first. Consult the owner's manual for further information on how to properly store your AC unit.
• Wear work gloves when lifting the air conditioner. Some units have sharp or jagged pieces of metal that can cut your hands if they aren't protected properly.
• Never remove an air conditioner while it's still running or plugged in because it can greatly increase your chance of electric shock.

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