Window Air Conditioner Not Cooling? EASY Common Fix - How to Clean a Windows AC

Window AC blowing hot or warm air? Not cooling like it used to? How to clean your window air conditioner FAST & EASY. I clean this dirty old AC in less than 30 minutes and make it run like new & COLD again.

I show you how I cleaned my window air conditioner AC. Yours may be different and you have to decide what are your limits for work like this. It may not work for you or your skillset. This video does not replace annual servicing by a technician and is intended for information purposes only and is NOT an exact guide due to differences with air conditioning models. ALWAYS ensure the power is OFF when working on the air conditioner.

Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[cucolopez]

My Dad taught me this method about 30 years ago, I always thought he was crazy for doing it, but the old man knew what he was talking about

[EM]

Just put in my A/C’s yesterday here in Jersey. I used this video as a guide to clean one unit that I was thinking about replacing. You sir, just saved me about $300. The unit was barely cooling a small room and now it’s freezing in there. Thank you for your videos, they are entertaining and extremely informative.

[shawnwilt]

I have done this every year for the 3 AC units I have. I always have my kids help me. Last year, my daughters friend was over and was complaining that she was bugging her parents to get her a new AC for her bedroom because hers was barely working. With her parents permission, I took hers out and cleaned it very thoroughly and made sure she helped. It was great watching my daughter basicaly be the one to teach her what to do and why you should do it every year. She actually stopped in mid sentence and looked at me and said "OMG I sound like you!! Mom is right!!" Her friend replied "At least your dad teaches you stuff that us actually useful and you remember it." We put her AC back in and what do you know... it was blowing out nice very cold air.
Two days later I was invited over to talk to her parents and ultimately spent the next few hours showing them with them participating how to clean and maintain the other 2 AC's they have. Her dad actually thanked me for saving him a bunch of money.

[CrayLuv]

I was about to throw my very old AC away. I thought it had something to do with the Freon. Glad I checked out YouTube first. I took the frame off the AC and pressured washed it out completely. waited a few hours for it to dry out, put the frame back on, stuck it in the window and it works like new. Thanks for the DIY Fix.

[holysmokes]

Great video. I clean both my window AC's 11, 000 and 12, 000 BTU's just like you did in the video around every April just before the hot weather kicks in. Both my AC's are 11 years old and cool rooms as if they were brand new. Bought the AC's used for $100 each 11 years ago, getting my moneys worth. This past January I was cleaning bathroom tiles with Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Grime Fighter it worked so well in the bathroom the idea hit me to use this product for the cleaning of my AC's. When this product is sprayed it expands. I used it on the coils of the AC's, waited 5 minutes, hosed down the coils. Let me tell you, the product worked so well I got the shine back on the coils. I also used the Scrubbing Bubbles on the bottom tray of the AC, the inside and outside of the AC casing, hosed them down it worked fantastic. During the summer months when the AC's run almost around the clock I clean the filters at least once a week. Take care of the AC and it will take care of you.

[j.t.cooper]

I take mine apart and clean it every year after the season. That way it's all ready to go, clean as a whistle the next year.

[pathfinder]

as a technician another thing to point out is that the coils need to be kept straight, bending enough of them will block airflow through the unit and cause similar issues, fin comb brushes are pretty cheap alternatively you can use a flat head screwdriver and some patience, also be careful with using dish soap on the coils and inside the unit as it will corrode the copper lineset potentially leading to a leak so rinse extremely thoroughly, preferably you want to use the foaming spray linked in the pinned comment or an equivalent personally I use Nucalgon condenser coil cleaner which dries without leading a residue, but does have a habit of softening the plastic shell on my AC unit.

[Trains-With-Shane]

dirty coils are a major cause of efficiency issues in AC units. both central as well as window/free standing units. Glad to see somebody took the time to put a tutorial together about how to clean these.

If you notice your home's central air starting to not do as good of a job it's a good idea to take the hose and wash off the coils on the outside condenser unit.

[paulmitchell]

Thanks so much! I did this on the very old unit in my kids’ bedroom, followed your directions precisely, and now it’s chilling nicely!

[williambelcher]

Here is a great story. Our home AC went out Friday and by the time we got home the house was warm. We ruffed it out that night and my wife called in the morning trying to get a company out. So Saturday’s high was 90 and can not get a company to fix it until Monday. Now Sunday’s high is around 95 and the wife can’t handle it. We where going to just go buy a window unit but I remembered I had one in the basement that would not cool. I remembered this video and rewatched it. Cleaned out the unit and it is working GREAT. Thank you so much for the great videos.

[jamewhit]

your post save me a 4 year frustration...Thank you....my ac/heater unit is back to

[billybud]

Just watched 10 videos on this topic. This was by far the best one....clear and concise. Thanks.

[croppydoodle]

When pandemic hit, we did our ac cleaning by ourselves. So satisfying to see dirt build up being washed down

[glenncarlson]

My 5 yr old Frigidaire 6000 BTU stopped cooling the bedroom well ... sorta gradually but it wasnt a big deal until the California heatwave that hit last couple days when we really noticed it wasnt doing a lot of good. Quick inspection fans were working and the filter and grills didnt look bad. Like a few other commenters I thought "I guess these newer units coolant just doesnt last that long". Glad I saw your video! I removed the unit, opened it up, cleaned everything ... the back grill was actually pretty dirty when I saw the water running off... re-installed and there is a marked improvement right away. Thanks!

[Lancealot]

My grandpa taught me this long ago, now they have central air, I'm glad he doesn't have to deal with it anymore but I'm also happy I learned, sometimes you don't even have to take all the covers off just depends on how dirty or clogged it is.

[jeffreycaban]

I do the same exact thing with my 4 Panasonic Window A/Cs.
They don't make them anymore and they are super quiet so I value them dearly. They look and perform like new for nearly a 25 year old appliance.

[carvalone]

Awesome! I have a window unit and had no idea you could clean it so easily! Thank you

[petermaz]

Wow you did a very good job of explaining the cleaning process and how important it is. Really very nice, I’ve done all this myself and you did a really really good job.

[Oopsie]

HVAC tech here lol. Good instructional video. We just use water no soap. Soap is cool though. Only things you need to clean is the coils and fans. Everything else can be dirty. Always like to see a tidy unit though :)

[MysticalReaper]

Wow very nice video I'm highly impressed I thought my AC was garbage and I only had it for a year it stopped blowing cold air and the pump would kick on and off. Then I did this and it works just like when I first bought it that is freaking amazing seriously thanks for this! Great guide