Each time summer goes away for its well-deserved vacation and winter approaches, we start exchanging our summer rituals for winter ones, and one of those winter rituals is definitely storing air conditioner, namely the outside unit.
In case you didn’t know, there are actually two very different ways to store your Air Conditioning Unit:
- Taking it down from your window and properly storing air conditioner so it lasts longer
- Letting it spend the cold winter outside and reducing its lifespan significantly
We are, of course, going to talk about the option number 1!
Jokes aside, it is highly recommended that you do a proper job with storing your AC unit during the winter season, and for this job, you will definitely need an extra pair of hands so you can remove it without any damage.
Let’s get busy!
How to Remove Your Air Conditioner
The very first thing you will want to do is make sure the unit is unplugged completely by removing all the insulation around it. Then prepare a large old cloth (maybe a towel that you won’t mind parting with) and put it on the floor to absorb all the excess water leaking from the unit.
Now it is time to remove and clean the filter. To properly clean the filter, use warm water and soap and brush it gently, then soak it in water and vinegar for one hour in order to kill all the bacteria dwelling in the filter. If needed, use a moist rag to wipe the unit’s exterior.
Tips on Storing Air Conditioner
When storing air conditioner for the winter, always make sure to store the unit in an upright position so the oil remains in it are evenly distributed and settled. NOTE: storing the unit on its side or on its back might damage its compressor and other parts in it.
If possible, always store your AC unit in your basement or the utility room. If, however, you must store it in the garage, you should make sure it is well protected from rodents. These little rascals can easily chew up the wires and cause much damage to your air conditioning device. Find some old boxes, buy quality duct tape and pack it neatly and tightly, otherwise bugs, insects, and rodents may use it as shelter.
After the unit is packed nicely, place it on a raised platform if possible. This will prevent water and other fluids from easily entering your AC device, which is especially crucial when storing the AC unit in your garage as auto fluids and other corrosive chemicals have the potential to damage it significantly.
If you have a lot of shelves around it, make sure you clear the storage area to prevent random objects from falling on the unit and thus damaging the coils or the exterior.
If you don’t have a basement, garage or a utility room, and you live in a small apartment, you can store your air conditioning unit by packing it carefully, covering it with a tablecloth and using it as a side table. Just make sure you place it an apartment area with little traffic so you don’t have to move it around every day.
Using Winterizing Covers
Storing air conditioner is rather difficult, even impossible if you have air conditioning units that are too big to take down, or are mounted high and thus difficult to take down. This is where winterizing covers come in!
These useful covers will protect your outside AC unit from:
- freezing temperature
- snow
- rain
- debris
- dirt
- insects
Should you choose to buy a winterizing cover, make sure to measure your AC unit carefully so the cover is just the right size. Insulating foam can also be used here to protect it even more.
So there you have it, folks. If you have any further questions about this topic, or you are experiencing some other problems with your AC unit, do give us a call. We at Chills Air Conditioning take care of all our old and new Florida customers!
