doublej

How does one clean the inside of a Window A/C unit. I have been storing in
the ba*****t in the winter and I am thinking there are probably things
growing in it by now.

michael balarama

I would wipe the outside with a damp cloth or bleach-and turn it on high for
a day--You cannot get inside-I don't think
Michael

j

http://www.srmi.biz/PDF/CleaningAir.pdf
I get a professional to do it. That way, they can see if there's a problem
looming like a leak or something wrong with the motor.
J

garth allen

Since you're posting to an allergy newsgroup, I guess it's a safe assumption
you have some type of allergies or sensitivities. J suggested getting a
professional to take a look at it; this is definitely the right thing to do.

These things are usually quite easy to open up. There are usually a few
screws holding the case onto the frame. Taking the case off at home might
be a big mistake, though. If it has sat in a ba*****t since the start of
last winter, who knows what kind of mold, etc. might be lurking inside?
These things usually have cheap fiberglass insulation on the inside of the
case, with a paper cover over the insulation. This could be a perfect
breeding ground for mold if your ba*****t is a little damp.

I had one of these A/C units in an apartment about 12 years ago. Bought it
second-hand, used it one summer, and stored it away until the next summer.
I hauled it out, thought I would check it out inside to see how grungy it
was. Man, was I grossed out. Tried to clean what I could with first a
vacuum cleaner, then a good scrubbing down with bleach and water. The
things guts still looked pretty disgusting. I decided not to take a chance,
and ended up chucking it in the dumpster.

It wasn't until a couple of years later I found out there are people who can
properly clean and service these. Your best bet is to look in the Yellow
Pages under Appliance Repairs. A lot of these guys are pretty
well-connected; if they don't do it, they can probably refer you to someone
who can. A proper cleaning, (and maybe having new insulation installed),
and tune-up is usually worthwhile. Good luck.

Garth

thomas mueller

from "Doublej" <akadoublej@hotmail.com>:

You might ask the dealer where you originally bought the A/C. They might be
able to service the A/C, or else they could possibly suggest somebody who
could. Does the owner's manual say anything about opening the A/C? It might
not be suited for doing yourself.

steelblue

Tom,
I did A/C work for 10 years. Mechanics usually hate to work on window units
because they are cheaper to replace than to repair. Plus there are usually a
lot of screws to remove and labor involved just to diagnose it-or to clean
one. I have never had anyone ask me to clean one. But I do know they get a
lot of algae and mold on the inside from the humidity it remove from the
air.

If it where mine, I'd take it apart and just rinse it out and clean it real
good. Use something like bleach to kill the mold and mildew. Just be sure to
rinse that off good also, it can make it rust and eat at the metal-I think
someone told me once. Next year do it before you store it.