The window air conditioner is a great way to keep your home cool during the summer. But what should you do with it during the winter, when the weather turns cold? While it's perfectly safe to leave your window A/C in the window all winter long, it can let a draft in that will decrease the effectiveness of your heating and leave you feeling chilly if you're sitting near the window. If you're thinking about storing your window A/C for the winter, there are a few things you need to know.

De-installing your Window A/C

The first step is to de-install your A/C from the window. The most important part is to ensure that you do this safely and so that you don't accidentally drop it out the window. Be sure to have someone help you, so that you can grab your window A/C from either side while lifting the window to bring it in. Because window A/Cs tend to accumulate water in the cabinet outside, you may want to lay down an old towel to protect your floors when you bring it in. 

If you're tired of the difficult window A/C de-installation process, take a look at July, a new window A/C that has a patented installation system that makes de-installation safe, easy, and quick. You won't need two people to do it, and there is no chance of dropping it out the window. It even has a drain hole that will allow you to drain the water before bringing it in.   

Prepping your Window A/C for Storage

The next step will be to clean and prep your A/C for storage. A/Cs can get pretty dirty sitting exposed to the elements, so you may want to run a damp cloth over the entire A/C to get the grime off. Never attempt to clean the internal components of the A/C - this can cause injury to you and damage the components. 

You may also want to tip your A/C on its back over an old towel to drain any water that has built up. If there's still water in the cabinet and you store it in a place where it won't evaporate quickly, it could be a breeding ground for mold.

Store it in a dry place

It's important that you store your A/C in a dry place, away from the elements. Also be sure to store it right-side up (just as if it were in your window), otherwise over time the components could get damaged. If you don't have a dry place to store your window air conditioner, you can also cover it with a tarp and leave it outside.

Leaving your Window A/C In the Window

If the de-installation process seems too difficult, or you don't have a place to store your window A/C (or both!), then you might need to consider leaving it in the window for the winter. If you're doing that, here are some tips for how to insulate your A/C if you're keeping it in the window through the winter.