You can cool a room in your house with the help of your portable air conditioner. But for it to work properly, it needs to be maintained, just like any other tool.
You should clean your portable air conditioner at least once a month because it is an important task. Cleaning should be done more frequently if your home is dusty or humid.
I’ll go over 7 simple steps in this article that you can use to clean out your portable air conditioner. These procedures should be followed whenever you perform routine maintenance on your portable air conditioner or when you’re getting ready to put it away after the cooling season.
Why Do You Need To Clean Your Portable Air Conditioners?
Clean portable air conditioners are essential, which we cannot dispute. A clean portable air conditioner can continue to run efficiently, in addition, to smoothly. The explanations for why you should keep your air conditioners clean are listed below.
Improved Air Quality
Homeowners can also improve the quality of the air inside their homes with the assistance of portable air conditioners, which are not just for cooling them.
If your appliance is clean, there won’t be any space for mold, bacteria, or other pathogens to grow on its surfaces. You and your family won’t contract respiratory illnesses or have asthma attacks thanks to its cleanliness.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency
When there are no obstructions to its performance, a clean portable air conditioner can operate effectively. It will function more effectively once it is in excellent condition and is clean.
Any dirty component of the air conditioner has the potential to interfere with how it normally operates. Your air conditioner might need to work more diligently than usual. To be clear, the amount of work your unit does will determine how much energy it uses. And it might prevent the portable air conditioner from properly cooling.
Fewer Repairs And Replacements
Just a word of caution: if you want to avoid shelling out a ton of money, never try to ignore your portable air conditioners.
Operating your air conditioners while they are dirty will result in problems and unit failure. It will become more difficult for you to clean it as time goes on and it gathers more and more dust and dirt.
Additionally, because of the tenacious dust and dirt, the coils will eventually overheat because they are incapable of dissipating heat. Additionally, it’s possible for the coils to freeze. If you are unlucky enough, the entire portable air conditioner will need to be replaced due to these issues.
You want to avoid doing these things without a doubt. Then, we advise having a specialist clean your portable air conditioners on a regular basis. One benefit of hiring experts is that they can identify potential issues that your unit might encounter in the future. In comparison to repairs and replacement, hiring one will be less expensive.
Reduced Utility Bills
Usually, a sizable amount of the monthly electrical usage is accounted for by HVAC systems. As we previously mentioned, a dirty air conditioner will exert more effort. It will consequently consume more energy or increase its operating costs. And your monthly utility bill will ultimately be significantly increased by that.
As a result of the portable air conditioner not having to work as hard, cleaning it will lower your electricity costs. Save energy and money!
Seven Steps To Clean A Portable Air Conditioner
The steps listed below should be followed and put into action if you want to properly clean your portable air conditioner. You can prevent some future issues and repairs by keeping the appliance in good condition. The lifespan of your air conditioner will also be extended as a result.
Prepare Your Air Conditioner For The Cleaning Process
It is always better to be ready. Being organized means finishing the task successfully!
Unplug The Air Conditioner
Put the air conditioner on a dry, flat surface after unplugging it from the outlet. You should refrain from placing it on your pricey flooring because there is a chance that the water in its tank will leak. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Get Your Tools Ready
A screwdriver, a spray bottle, a bucket, a clean cloth, and a cleaning solution should all be gathered. In case you need to replace the current filter on your air conditioner, you can also get a fresh air filter ready.
Dismantle Your Unit
For instructions on how to disassemble your portable air conditioner, consult the manual or the manufacturer.
Drain The Water Tank
Heat is removed from the air and condensed by a portable air conditioner. Its water tank receives the collected water. Furthermore, you should regularly clean and drain that.
When the tank is already full, some models of portable air conditioners have indicator lights.
Locate the drain; it is typically visible at the unit’s back. Let the water discharge while you place the bucket below it. Some portable air conditioners, on the other hand, have a draining hose that they can use to empty themselves.
Clean And Wipe The Filters
Making sure the portable air conditioner’s air filter is regularly checked will help it operate effectively. It would be beneficial if you kept it free of debris and dust. Your air conditioner will have a difficult time cooling the air if they are dirty.
At least three times per month should be set aside for filter cleaning. But in the summer, you should do so more frequently.
The manufacturer’s cleaning instructions will determine how to clean its air filter. The difference between washable and non-washable filters is the cause. Additionally, since they cannot be cleaned, they must be replaced with new filters.
Additionally, if the filter is removable, you must vacuum-clean it before dipping it in warm, soapy water to clean it. After that, let it completely dry. Another option is to clean the filter with a vinegar-based cleaning solution.
Inspect The Coils
One of the more expensive components of a portable air conditioner, in our opinion, are the coils. Therefore, you must clean as gently and carefully as you can. For a break you caused, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on its repair.
In order to clean it thoroughly, take a clean cloth and dampen it in a vinegar solution. Wipe away any visible buildup or dirt gently. If you are diligent enough, you can purchase a cleaning agent designed especially for the coils. One can be purchased at the neighborhood hardware store.
Do not forget to regularly clean the coil on the portable air conditioner. By doing this, the coil will be able to absorb more heat and cool a room more efficiently. Additionally, it saves you money by preventing you from replacing a damaged coil at a high cost.
Polish The Air Conditioning Unit’s Exterior
To clean the outside of the air conditioner, get a different clean cloth. You can use a spray bottle to wet the exterior or dampen a piece of cloth to wipe it, then make sure to cover every surface completely.
Make sure to give your portable air conditioner a thorough cleaning. Possibly for a very long time, dirt and dust were there hiding. Carefully dry the air conditioner.
The entire exterior of the air conditioner should be routinely cleaned and wiped down. To prevent anything from accumulating or clogging the air conditioner, check it every week. Although it needs thorough wiping and polishing, it doesn’t need general cleaning.
Dry Your Air Conditioner Thoroughly
Dry the portable air conditioner completely after you’ve finished cleaning it. By doing this, you can prevent the staining and growth of mold in your unit.
You can turn on the air conditioner and set it to fan mode for a short while to assist you in drying out every remaining moisture. The unit can be dried most easily this way.
Read More:
- Arctos Portable AC Review
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- How to Pick The Portable Car Air Conditioner
- How To Vent A Portable Air Conditioner Without A Window
- How Long Can You Run A Portable Air Conditioner Continuously
- How To Install Portable Air Conditioner In Horizontal Sliding Window?
Store It Properly
Your ability to properly store the air conditioner will determine how well it performs during the months it will be stored.
We advise putting the portable air conditioner in a fresh box or cover. And be sure to keep it in a spot that is both dry and clean. By taking these steps, you can help prevent the growth of mold during the winter, when it is in the keeping stage.
And there you have it, your portable air conditioner will last longer thanks to the steps we just discussed. A clean air conditioner can also maximize performance and energy effectiveness.
Conclusion
It would be a good idea to remove your air conditioning unit now before the heat of summer arrives, so you can check it for any potential problems. Visit CNET’s buying guides for portable air conditioners if you’re in the market for a new unit.
If a portable air conditioner is too expensive, on the other hand, you might want to consider purchasing a window air conditioner. They’re frequently more affordable than the bigger portable cooling devices, but they’re still a practical option.
Read More: How To Vent A Portable Air Conditioner Without A Window?