How to Store Air Conditioner
Introduction:
We all know that the summer is coming, and with it comes scorching hot days. There’s only one solution: air conditioning when you feel like you can’t breathe in your own house because of the heat. But what about when winter rolls around?
You don’t want to have to buy another air conditioner just for a few months out of the year! Luckily, there are ways to store an air conditioner, so it will be ready for when it’s needed again. In this article, I will discuss how to store air conditioners. So let us get started.
A Detailed Stepwise Guide on How to Store Air Conditioner:
Store Your Air Conditioner in a Cool Place:
Keeping your air conditioner unit in an area with low humidity will help prevent mold, mildew, and corrosion. Also, try to avoid locations where the temperature could exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Clean the Fan Blades of Your Air Conditioner:
A simple cleaning can ensure your AC doesn’t get clogged with dirt on its way back into storage. Check your owner’s manual on cleaning it out before putting it away for winter or summertime use.
Drain Water From Leaks Before You Store It:
If you have an AC unit that leaks water when it runs, be sure to empty the pan beneath the drain pan so you don’t have a flooded mess on your hands when you do turn it on next season.
Turn Your Air Conditioner Off:
If you plan to store your air conditioner for more than one month, be sure to turn it off and unplug it from its power source. This will help ensure that it doesn’t accidentally switch on while you’re not around and waste energy or even break down due to sitting idle too long.
Keep the Filters Clean:
Be sure to check the filters of your air conditioning unit each time before turning it on to keep your team operating efficiently this summer.
Drain the Unit Thoroughly Before Storing It Away for Long Periods:
It may seem counterintuitive to drain your air conditioner unit before you shut it down. Still, by draining the water tank entirely of any built-up water beforehand, you’ll avoid a flood if a pipe breaks or a seal fails. Just be sure to refill with coolant so your AC is ready to go when the summer heat rolls around again.
Clean and Dry Your Unit Thoroughly Before Storage:
Not only should you clean your AC thoroughly before storage, as mentioned above you should also dry it as best as possible once finished.
It’s better not to clean mineral deposits off because it could cause rusting over time from moisture exposure. But if you have already started cleaning, make sure to close everything properly around all the joints and seals to avoid leaks.
Secure Your AC Unit in Place Properly:
While you don’t want to keep your unit running continuously during storage, ensure it is securely locked into place so that strong winds or other environmental factors do not topple the machine. If the team can move even slightly, condensate may leak out of seals and joints and cause severe damage to your property over time.
You Can Check It Out to Break an Air Conditioner
Security Tips for Storing Air Conditioner:
Ask a Friend or Neighbor For Help:
If possible, ask someone who doesn’t live at your house to periodically check on things while you’re gone, like if any water has leaked from the vents or if anything around where you’ve stored your air conditioner looks damaged (such as bulges in the wall)
Store the Air Conditioner In a Dry Area:
If there’s too much moisture in the area where you’re storing your air conditioner, the air inside the air conditioner will condense. This is especially true if your area has been raining or snowing a lot recently. So make sure to store your air conditioner somewhere with plenty of ventilation so any water can dry up instead of collecting on and around the unit itself.
Solutions for Cleaning Up Water Damage:
Check For Leaks:
If you discover any leaks from anywhere near your AC unit is stored, fix them as soon as possible to prevent additional damage. Don’t forget to check outside outlets and switches, too, as they could also be sources for leaks.
Cover It Up:
Cover the entire air conditioning unit, including doors, moving parts, window hardware, and anything else that might get damaged by weather conditions such as snow or rain. Use a large tarp to accommodate an area about four feet larger than your whole AC unit on each side. If you’re worried about people peeking through windows while you’re away, buy some material to cover them.
Precautions While Storing an Air Conditioner:
– Ensure that the AC is off while storing and disconnected from the power source.
– Remove water present in the AC unit and clean it thoroughly before storing it.
– Turn on your appliances after resting for at least 24 hours with a full charge after storage. Check with the local electrician how much time is required for charging batteries. It varies by battery type & size depending upon which model you are using.
Check the appliance’s vital parts (such as belts and air filters) before using it.
What Are the Necessary Things to Check Before Turning the AC On?
1. Ensure that your outdoor unit is clean and not obstructed by any foreign object or debris.
2. Ensure that there are no leakages in the indoor units of your split AC.
3. Ensure that there are appropriately fitted screw holes on both the outdoor & indoor units of your window AC. If not, fix them using proper screws to ensure they work securely together.
4. Ensure that all electrical connections are tight and that there is no loose wiring anywhere around your home’s central cooling system. Also, clean any dirt around the wires to keep them from overheating.
5. Ensure that there is no corrosion on the cooling coil or any other part of the indoor unit because if these are corroded, your AC won’t start working correctly, and you need to get them cleaned immediately.
6. Check the electric circuit where you have connected your AC, whether 110V or 220V. Use a voltage tester for this purpose or ask someone who can help you in this regard to ensure that each component has a proper electricity supply to function properly.
7. While checking the electrical connections, ensure they are suitable for the outdoor environment & are protected from rainwater by sealing them with a silicon rubber strip so that no water enters inside, which may result in spark and fire hazards.
8- You should also check whether all the components of your AC are correctly connected, and everything is tightly secured so that there is no loose wiring anywhere around.
How to Choose the Right Spot for Your AC?
You should choose a place where the AC can receive proper sunlight because this will help it function in its best condition & run smoothly throughout the day.
The ACS, which have been designed to work outdoor, i.e., window or split models, need 1-2 inches of space from each side as well as top and rear of the appliance because if you keep them too close to the wall, their air intake grill may get blocked resulting in improper cooling. So ensure you maintain enough space on all sides of your AC before turning it ON.
Conclusion:
I hope you have obtained all the information on storing air conditioners. Ensure proper place while keeping. Thank you, and have a nice day!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
