| Very little is required to properly clean a window air | | | | There is a good product on the market called HVAC |
| conditioner, except lots of patience. If patience is | | | | cleaner. As the name implies it is meant for Heating, |
| something you lack then it is a job you should turn over | | | | Ventilation, and Air Conditioner coil cleaning. If this is not |
| to the local appliance serviceman. | | | | available the Fantastic Spray cleaner used in kitchens |
| Tools | | | | and bathrooms works quite well. |
| 1 Tin can or container (old muffin tin works well also) 2 | | | | Let stand about 15 minutes or as per instructions on |
| Vacuum cleaner 3 Long handled brush (an old toilet | | | | de-greaser can. This will allow cleaner to loosen any |
| brush works well) 4 Oil can 5 Rags 6 De-greaser or | | | | hidden dirt. |
| spray detergent 7 Selection of screwdrivers 8 Fin tool | | | | Remove dirt and excess cleaner by slowly pouring |
| (optional) 9 New filter | | | | warm water into fins. |
| Lets get started ----------- | | | | Do not allow the water to enter any electrical |
| 1. Start by removing the filter from the front grille. If it is | | | | connections or components that may be near the coil. |
| hidden behind the grille proceed to step 2. If it is a | | | | As an added precaution cover the motor with one of |
| disposable filter simply replace it with a new one. Other | | | | the cloth rags. to protect it from the water. Do not use |
| types are made in a plastic frame and can be cleaned | | | | any form of high pressure air or water because this |
| and reused. | | | | can drive dirt farther into fins. Also, use extreme |
| To clean a filter lay it flat in the sink and sprinkle | | | | caution as these coils are filled with high pressure |
| surface with powder laundry detergent. Then cover | | | | refrigerant. |
| with about one inch of hot water. Just enough so the | | | | 6. Straighten any bent fins. Use a fin comb if available. |
| filter is submerged. Soak for 15 minutes. Remove from | | | | If no fin comb then use something soft such as a |
| water and rinse with warm water. Hang up to dry | | | | Popsicle stick. Straightening the fins will increase the |
| while proceeding to next step. | | | | efficiency of the air flow through the coils. This adds to |
| 2. Next, remove the front grille from the main body of | | | | the overall cooling effect produced by the air |
| the air conditioner. They usually pivot on two spring | | | | conditioner. |
| clips at the bottom. It is usually removed by pulling the | | | | 7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the condenser (rear fins) |
| grille gently forward while pushing it down at the same | | | | coil. A plastic cowling usually surrounds the condenser |
| time. If there is resistance then look for hidden screws. | | | | fins. If so, check the top edge to see if it will lift or open. |
| Look near the top edge of the grille or behind the | | | | If it opens this will allow easier access to the |
| control knob door. Once removed place the grille aside | | | | condenser fins. Again use caution because the |
| until later. | | | | condenser coil is also filled with high pressure |
| 3. Carefully remove metal cover of air conditioner to | | | | refrigerant. |
| expose inner workings. Once all the screws are | | | | 8. Wipe any dirt buildup from both fan blades using a |
| removed lift the cover straight up. Do not let it hit the | | | | soft rag. Do not bend blades. This would cause a |
| other parts as it can have sharp edges. | | | | vibration that would harm the motor. |
| This is where the old can comes in handy (ice cube | | | | 9. Vacuum all surfaces including front and back of grille |
| container or muffin tin works well also). Use it to keep | | | | assembly. Do not forget to vacuum underside of metal |
| track of all the screws you will be removing. An air | | | | air conditioner cover. If the cover contains air holes |
| conditioner will often use a number of different types | | | | clean them thoroughly. If necessary use a damp rag. |
| and sizes of screws. Segregate them from each | | | | 10. Drain any water left in the base and allow it to dry |
| other or confusion will result when we start | | | | for few hours. |
| reassembly. | | | | 11. When completely dry plug in air conditioner and test |
| 4. Check the fan motor for any oil holes or oil plugs. If | | | | operation. If everything appears okay unplug and begin |
| the motor has oil plugs they are usually rubber. Use | | | | reassembly. |
| caution when removing because the rubber may have | | | | 12. Once reassembly is complete, retest operation to |
| become brittle. Often they will break off in the oil holes | | | | ensure replacing the cover has not affected anything. |
| resulting in a blockage. If this occurs try to remove the | | | | Adding the cover will often twist the frame and can |
| broken plug by using a pin of the tip of a small | | | | cause interior parts to move out of alignment. This |
| screwdriver. | | | | may cause the fan to become noisy. |
| Once the fan motor oil holes are exposed add a few | | | | To correct for this problem remove the cover and |
| drops of oil to each end of the motor body. Use a | | | | realign to the main body of the air conditioner. Reinstall |
| general purpose (3in1) oil or clean motor oil. A #30 oil is | | | | the cover and test for noises every time 2 or 3 |
| sufficient. | | | | additional screws are added to the cover. Spinning the |
| The natural tendency is to over-oil. Too much | | | | front blade by hand will let you know if anything is |
| lubrication is as bad as not enough. Therefore only 3 or | | | | rubbing against the fan blades. |
| 4 drops on both ends of the motor body is sufficient. | | | | 13. Install the front grille and filter. |
| Add the oil slowly, pausing a few seconds between | | | | 14. Lastly, cover air conditioner with plastic wrap or an |
| each drop. If you add it too quickly over-lubrication will | | | | old blanket. Store in a warm dry area. Raise it from |
| result. | | | | floor slightly by placing onto a couple of pieces of |
| 5. Use the brush to remove surface dust and dirt from | | | | wood. This will protect the floor from the metal edges |
| the evaporator (front fins). Use an up and down | | | | of the air conditioner, and also protect the air |
| motion. Do not go side to side or allow the fins to be | | | | conditioner from moisture. |
| bent. The fins are very soft aluminum and can be | | | | Repeat this simple procedure every year. If you do, |
| damaged easily. Once surface dirt is removed, spray | | | | the machine will be ready for many more years of |
| with de-greaser or cleaner. | | | | dependable service. |