I know you don’t really WANT to tune up your air conditioner right now:

• The grass is finally just starting to turn green 
• Birds are chirping in the morning
• It’s barely warm enough to open your windows at home

But no matter what you want to do right now, in two months you will be thanking your past self for taking a little bit of time to get your air conditioner ready for summer. 

Why Do You Need To Prepare Your AC For The New Season?

Step 1: Wipe Off The Body

Get a soft towel and soak it in warm water. Add some mild detergent if needed. Use this to wipe off all the exterior surface of your air conditioner. 

Step 2: Clean Filter

If your unit has a filter, remove it. Soak it in a tub of warm, soapy water and scrub out with a soft bristled brush if needed. Allow the filter to air dry completely before reinserting into your unit. 

Step 3: Clean Out Dust

While you are waiting for the filter to dry, it can be helpful to blow some air through your unit. If you have access to an air compressor you can use that, otherwise a can of compressed sprait air will do the trick. Blow out all of the air intake fins and the exhaust vents of your air conditioner.

Unit-Specific Guides 

Some air conditioners have a few extra or different steps to prepare for the summer. Keep reading below for the specific steps to get your portable, window, or mini-split air conditioner ready for summer. 

Portable Air Conditioner

For portable air conditioners, you will also want to clean out the hot air exhaust hose to remove any dust or debris, and to check for mold. You can clean the exhaust hose with warm, soapy water. You may also want to wipe off your window bracket before installing into your window. 

Window Air Conditioner

For window air conditioners, you may also want to clean the two accordion panels on each side of the unit. It is also a good idea to clean the window where you will be installing the unit. 

If you use foam to insulate any extra cracks around your unit, you might want to check to see if it is dry or crumbling and replace the foam strips as needed. 

Mini-Split Air Conditioner 

Mini-split air conditioners require a little more upkeep than their portable or window-based cousins. You should also clean off the outside condenser coils and remove any debris that has accumulated around the base of the outdoor condenser unit. You may also want to periodically check the condenser lines to make sure that they are not frosting over during use. 

Conclusion

What are you still reading for? It’s time to go get out there and clean your air conditioner! 

But, if you do have any questions, please reach out to us at support@tosotdirect.com or call the number on the bottom of our website during our operating hours and a member of our support team will be glad to assist you.