How to Clean and Maintain Your Portable Air Conditioner

Portable air conditioners are a great, cost-efficient way to keep your entire house comfortable throughout the summer. They can be easily moved around, helping you cool down your bedroom or home office for a fraction of the price of a traditional air-conditioner unit. To ensure your portable air conditioner works at full capacity, however, you need to learn to maintain it properly.

Here are a few useful tips that can help you take better care of your portable air conditioner, ensuring that it lasts for many years to come.

Clean filters

Remove any filters your portable air conditioner uses, including a carbon or HEPA filter. Typically, these filters should be replaced rather than cleaned, but follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding their maintenance. If you need to replace them, these are easily available from different sellers, including on Amazon in its Parts & Accessories section.

Drain water

Portable air conditioners collect water from the air in the room during their cooling process, and this condensate needs to be removed. Most PACs have an internal tank that collects the excess condensation, so make sure to empty it using the drain pump or hose.

Newer models might be easier to clean – the Honeywell MO08CESWK, for instance, comes with a built-in dehumidifier with a continuous drain option, meaning it can operate unattended for longer periods of time and requires less cleaning. You can also clean detachable pipes and hoses with a 50-50 ratio solution of water and vinegar. Rinse the pipes with clean water when you’re done and run the air conditioner on fan-only mode for 30-45 minutes afterward to eliminate the smell of vinegar and completely dry your unit.

Keep the exterior clean

Apart from draining the water and replacing the filters, make sure you also clean the exterior of your unit every few weeks. When the unit is switched off, use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the surface clean. Steer clear of abrasive chemicals or harsh detergents as they may damage the surface.

Deodorizing options

Cleaning your PAC regularly should help you minimize bad odors, but there is  a range of additional deodorizing options. You can use a few drops of essential oils or a scented disinfectant like Dettol in your vinegar-water solution. This can help eliminate any musty or moldy odors from your portable air conditioner, leaving your house smelling nice and fresh.

End of season storage and maintenance

A good PAC maintenance tip is to clean the entire unit twice a year, at the beginning and the end of the season. Follow these simple steps before storing your portable air conditioner in a dry location away from direct sunlight:

• Be sure to drain the leftover water condensate. Remove the lower drain plug and use a shallow pan to collect the water (make sure to replace the drain plug when finished). To dry excess moisture, run the unit in fan-only mode for 30 minutes before storing.
• Remove the air filter and clean with water. Dry the air filter and then reinstall.
• Disconnect the window installation kit.
• Remove the plastic hose, window bracket, window bracket panel adaptor, and hose connector, and store with the portable air conditioner, taking care to ensure that none of the parts are bent at sharp angles.