HVAC Contributor
When storing items, it’s important to make the most of available space, and air conditioners, especially ones with higher capacities, can take up a lot of it. You might think of stacking them, but you’re not sure if you should.
Your air conditioners can be stacked on top of one another. Only do this, though, if the AC is returned to its original box. The box is frequently marked by the manufacturer with information regarding the maximum stacking height.
Let’s discuss the reasons you might want to store your air conditioner, how to do it safely, and some storage advice you can use.
Why Keep Your AC Stored in the Winter?
Storage of air conditioners is essential for the following reasons:
Avoid Exposure to Off-Season Elements
In the off-season, you protect it from the elements to avoid any damage. Parts like the external fan, compressor, and refrigerant pipes may sustain damage over lengthy shutdown periods.
Stop Heat Loss
When an air conditioner is installed, especially a window air conditioner, there is a very small gap between the unit and the window frame. Air could escape through this aperture if it is not properly sealed, which would be dangerous.
Warm air is prevented from escaping the room by shutting the empty cut-out and turning off the air conditioner.
Give Your Room As Much Light As Possible
Window air conditioners take up space in the window and significantly cut down on the quantity of light that enters the space. When the air conditioner isn’t in use, the available space can be employed to maximize the amount of natural light, which keeps the room warm.
How To Store An Air Conditioner Correctly
Here’s how to store your air conditioner correctly over the winter:
Take The AC out
- Since window AC units are large and heavy, you shouldn’t try to move them on your own.
- Ask for help removing the unit from the window after unplugging it to prevent injury to yourself or damage to your air conditioner.
- When you remove the AC from the window, any water that has accumulated over the course of the summer may flow out. Before moving the unit, place a large piece of cloth underneath it to prevent it from soaking the floor.
- After removing the unit, you can clean and pack it while it is positioned on the towel. Once the unit has been removed, you might need to install some weather stripping in the window where it was to prevent cold air from leaking into your house.
Tidy The AC
Before storing your air conditioner, make sure it has been well cleaned. How to do it:
- The cleaning process can be started by taking out the filter. A relatively new filter can be cleaned in warm, soapy water, then allowed to air dry. However, you should replace your filter if it is clogged.
- Vacuum both the inside and outside of the air conditioner to remove any dust buildup. Scrub everywhere to get rid of as much dirt and debris as you can.
- To clean the outside of the air conditioner, mix vinegar and water. Once your air conditioner has been cleaned and dried, you can store it.
Store the AC
- When storing an air conditioner, it should always be done so in its original packing. You’ll need to locate another box that is the same size if you failed to save it. In either scenario, make sure your air conditioner is completely dry before storing it to stop the growth of mold and mildew.
- When storing the gadget, cover it as much as you can with a thermal storage blanket or another type of foam packing material. The goal is to prevent contamination of the air conditioner while it is being stored, including water, dust, and dirt. Make sure to mark the box so you can store the air conditioner with the right side up.
Where Should Your AC Unit Be Stored?
Attics or basements make for the greatest interior storage spaces for the unit. A unit should not be kept outside since this would subject it to more elements.
Additionally, make an effort to avoid damp areas. If moisture gets inside the unit through the box, it could result in the formation of mildew and mold and force you to restart the cleaning process. Direct sunlight may potentially ruin your air conditioner.
Keeping your unit in the garage is not a good idea. Small animals and insects may find shelter within your unit, and mice and other rodents may chew on the wires and cause damage.
How Many Air Conditioners Can You Stack Up?
It is reasonable to assume that you can stack your air conditioner at least three units high, though the manufacturer’s guidelines printed on the packaging will determine the exact stacking height.
Additional Advice For Storing Air Conditioners Without Damage
Here are some more suggestions to keep your storage space in good shape and prepared for your next use:
Do Not Combine It With Other Items
Clear the storage area, paying close care to the nearby shelves, to prevent debris from falling on the air conditioner. It could sustain additional damage or have the coils damaged if heavy objects fall on it.
Put It Somewhere With Less Traffic
If you have a small, constrained space, you can properly cover and package your air conditioners for storage before using them as a side table. It may be placed in corners or areas with less traffic to prevent needless damage or impact to the device.
Implement A Winterizing Cover
Some air conditioners can be quite difficult to take down, particularly if they are installed high. A winterizing cover is a preferable choice in this circumstance. Your air conditioner will be protected from below-freezing conditions.
It will also protect the device from grit, dirt, and insects. Before ordering the winterizing cover, take sure to carefully measure it to achieve a tight fit.
What Takes Place If Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Stored Correctly?
If an AC unit is stored incorrectly, it could suffer long-term damage. For example, if a unit is kept outside or in a cold environment, its coils may freeze and become worthless.
Additionally, if an appliance is left in a window throughout the winter, it may freeze and let frigid air into the house.
The spaces between the unit and the window will allow a draft to enter your home, decreasing the temperature there and possibly raising your heating expenditures.
Can Your AC Be Stored Sideways?
Not at all. The compressors in air conditioners shouldn’t be stored on their sides for several reasons, but mostly because doing so could damage them.
After having to lay your air conditioner on its side, let it stand upright for 12 to 24 hours to allow the compressor oil and refrigerant to return to their original places.
As you can see, a compressor functions very much like a basic engine. To increase the pressure of the gaseous refrigerant, it has a crankshaft that drives a large piston onto the fluid. The process needs to run smoothly because there are many intricate moving parts.
The cooling cycle would terminate right away if any material, like dirt, accumulated between those gears. Every compressor contains a significant volume of oil lubrication because of this.
When you keep the AC unit on its side, the lubricant could run out of its original spot, leaving the gears vulnerable to numerous impurities.
Additionally, sideways storage might make future breaches more likely by overcharging the evaporator or condenser coils with refrigerant.
How Should You Prepare Your AC After Winter?
Now that winter is ended, it’s time to welcome the upcoming season. Without an air conditioner, the temperature might soar, therefore you need one back.
- The air conditioner should first be taken out of the covering it was in and left to sit in the sun for a while.
- The front cover and filter can then be removed.
- Finally, use compressed air to blow away any dust that may have accumulated on the air conditioner. Your air conditioner is now ready to use.
Wrapping Up
Given their high cost, air conditioners should be maintained to extend their useful lives. Taking care of your AC during the winter and using an AC cover when it’s not in use are two ways to make sure it stays in excellent shape.
If you wish to stack your air conditioners for storage, you need exercise caution. Use the packaging that came with the unit if at all possible. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding how high to stack your unit.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings