Cleaning your window type air conditioner properly prevents frequent air conditioning repair. Considering that AC repair can be expensive, learning how to do proper cleaning of your unit would save you a lot of money, not to mention spare you from a lot of inconvenience. After all, while your unit is undergoing air-conditioning repair, you and your family will be suffering from the heat of the scorching Tampa FL sun.
Before cleaning your window type air conditioner, be sure you have all the necessary tools at hand. These include a vacuum cleaner, a Philips screwdriver, a flat bladed screwdriver, a 14-inch socket head screwdriver, a container for the screws you will unscrewing, a long handled brush such as an old toilet brush, a can of motor oil, HVAC spray cleaner or spray detergent, fin comb or popsicle stick, rags and a new filter if your unit uses the disposable type.
Start with the filter. Replace a disposable filter. Reusable filters have to be removed and cleaned with hot water and detergent, and then air dried.
Open up the front of the air conditioner. Check that all screws are removed properly and saved in a container. If possible, use a partitioned container so that the screws for each part of the unit are separated and properly labeled to avoid confusion during reassembly.
The fan motor usually has oil holes with rubber oil plugs. Be very careful in removing the plugs because they could disintegrate and cause blockage. Add 3-4 drops of motor oil to the oil holes at each end of the motor, pausing between each drop to avoid over-lubrication.
Clean the front fins with up and down motions of a brush. Make sure you do not bend the soft aluminum fins. Cover the motor with a rag to prevent it from getting wet before using the HVAC spray cleaner or spray detergent to loosen embedded dirt on the fins. Let stand for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water, avoiding all electrical components. Use a fin comb or a popsicle stick to straighten the fins. Bent fins inhibit air flow. Do the same with the condenser or back fins of the unit.
Use rags to clean the fan blades, being careful not to bend them. Bent fan blades cause vibration that will harm the motor.
Use a vacuum cleaner on the front and back of the grill assembly, as well as the cover of the air conditioner. Clean up the base, making sure not to leave any water.
Allow the entire unit to dry for several hours. When you are sure that everything is dry, reassemble the unit and plug it in to test. If the fan makes noise, this is most probably due to a misalignment in replacing the cover. Remove and reinstall it then check again.
Even with your best intentions and with regular proper cleaning of your window type air conditioner, though, you will just have to accept the fact that like all equipment it will sooner or later still be needing air-conditioning repair. No air conditioning unit is impervious to breakdowns and exempted from AC repair in Tampa FL or anywhere else on the planet
When the time comes for that inevitable AC repair, make sure you call on a reputable service center. The best ones have the most reputable brands carried & serviced: Carrier, Trane, Amana, Goodman, Rheem, Frigidaire, American Standard, Bryant, Janitrol, York, Ruud, Weatherking, Tempstar, Payne, Comfortmaker, Gibson, Heil, Intertherm, Lennox, Luxaire, and Tappan. They are also usually complete heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) repair centers, offering heating repair and furnace repair, as well. Do not be swayed by cheap fly by night service providers of air conditioning repair in Tampa FL who may give you shoddy service or, even worse, may cause more harm to your unit.