If you've got a window air conditioner, it's important to keep it well-maintained. Dirty filters, blocked air flow, or mold and mildew growth can all cause your A/C to stop working as well as it should. We'll walk you through how to clean your filters and drain your window A/C unit so that your A/C will keep you cool and comfortable, for many summers to come.

Clean the filter monthly.

The traditional window A/C filter is there to protect your A/C unit from large chunks of dust or debris. If you don't clean the filter monthly, it will get saturated, and this will force your A/C to work harder to keep you cool, hurting its lifespan and increasing your energy bill. Every month, take a few minutes to remove the filter and wash it with soap and water.

If you’re looking for filters that do more than protect your unit, actually can purify the air you breathe, and improve your indoor air quality, you might consider the new July window air conditioner. You can opt for special advanced air purifying filters that filter out fine particulates like pollen, pet dander, and other pollutants from the air. Plus, if having to wash out your filter sounds like a pain – these filters are monthly disposable, so all you have to do is switch it out.

Drain the water from the base at the end of the season.

In the normal operation of an A/C, the base collects the condensed moisture from the air. Some A/Cs have a drain hole, but many energy-efficient window A/Cs like the July re-use the condensed water as part of the cooling process to reduce your energy bill.

At the end of the season, it’s possible that a fair bit of water would have built up in the base. Before bringing it in and storing it for the season, you’ll want to drain the base to prevent the growth of mold and mildew which can decrease the lifespan of your A/C. If your A/C unit doesn’t have a drain hole, you can carefully tilt the back of the A/C downwards to let the water flow out. July comes with a drain hole plug, so you can keep it plugged for energy efficiency during the season, and simply remove the plug to drain it out at the end of the season.

Store your A/C in a dry, warm place.

Most A/Cs are designed to stay in the window all year round. But, for peak performance, it’s recommended that you bring them in and store them for the winter season. When storing your A/C, be sure to first drain it as described above. Then, store it upright (not on its side or back) in a dry, warm place so that further water does not build up and so that the pipes do not freeze.

July has a patent-pending installation system that makes installing and de-installing your July quicker, safer, and easier than ever before. The revolutionary installation frame makes the process a breeze. So if you’re worried about the danger and hassle of de-installing your traditional A/C every year, July might be the unit for you.