Lili removes and stores her AC every year once the temperatures hit 60 degrees. Doing this has kept her AC working for 10 years.

There's a right way and a wrong way!

Photo by Rafael De Nadai on Unsplash

Unless you live in a climate that's hot year-round, you should remove your air conditioner and store it properly for the winter. If you don't, you'll be leaving it exposed to freezing temperatures and rain or snow, which will damage the body and the inside parts.

To avoid buying a new air conditioning unit next year, take the AC down from your window once temperatures go below 60°F, and store it properly using the tips below.

Read below for in-depth instructions on how to perform each of these steps, along with helpful tips to save you time and money.

Make sure to unplug the unit before attempting to remove the AC.

Put a towel or a large cloth on the floor. This is to absorb the water that may leak from the unit, especially if it has been recently used.

Unless you're Superman, NEVER remove an air conditioner all by yourself. You'll need an extra hand or two: someone to lift the AC from the window and someone to hold the window open.

Once the air conditioner is free from the grips of the window, tilt it back away from you and outside the window just a little to drain any water that may be inside. Be sure no one is underneath the window, or they will get wet and curse you.

Tip: Wear gripped gloves and closed-toe shoes.

Remove the side panels and wipe them down with a wet rag and some vinegar.

You are going to need to hose down the AC, which is best done outside. If going outside is not possible, take your AC into the tub.

Note: It is perfectly fine to spray down the AC with water. You will not damage any of the electric parts.

As soon as you remove the air conditioning unit, remove the filter. The filter is the dirtiest part of an air conditioner as it catches dust and particles present in the air.

To clean the outside, you can:

For step-by-step photo instructions on how to clean a window AC unit, check out How to Clean a Window Air Conditioning Unit.

Allow the AC to dry thoroughly before storing.

When buying a new unit, it would be wise not to throw the box away. The original packaging is the best storage container you can get for your unit. It should be packed neatly and tightly to prevent bugs and insects from making a home inside the unit and to prevent rodents from chewing up and damaging the wires.

Storing it in a utility closet or storage room is best, but if you need to store the unit in the garage, place it on a raised platform or block so auto fluid and other corrosive chemicals cannot easily seep into the base of the air conditioner and damage it.

This is to ensure that the oil remains evenly distributed and settled. Never store the AC on its side or its back, as this can damage the compressor. If it cannot be helped that the unit will be stored on its side, make sure to let it rest in the upright position for more than an hour before using it again so that the oil can resettle.

We can only realize the importance of an air conditioner when summertime comes. Sometimes, we tend to take our air conditioning unit for granted, especially during colder months. However, just like any other appliance, the AC should also be taken care of so they would last longer. Proper storage and regular cleaning are two of the most essential things you can do to ensure that your AC unit will be in tip-top shape for the next summer season.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Gregory Monachos from Thessaloniki Greece on October 04, 2015:

Very useful article, although i think it is not intended for the non-technician. It would be very difficult for an amateur to make all these works properly.