As the cold winter season quickly approaches, many people have already started their end season rituals. One of the most popular of these rituals is storing their air conditioning system. There are generally two ways of storing an air conditioner. The first option involves removing the unit from the window and keeping it in a safe place indoors, while the other involves leaving the unit where it is and covering it. If you decide to take down the AC unit, it is important that you ask one or two people to help you remove it safely without causing any damage. The following are some tips to help you store your air conditioner properly.

• Before you remove the unit, you first need to put a large piece of cloth or towel on the floor. This is because some water may leak from the AC unit especially if it was recently used.

• Make sure you have the original packaging of the unit ready. When a new AC unit is installed, be sure to keep the box in a safe place as it may come in handy in the future.

• Unplug the unit from the electricity socket. Get rid of all insulation after unplugging the machine.

• The first thing that you need to do after removing the air conditioner is to remove the filter. This is the dirtiest part of the AC machine.

• Clean the filter using mild soap, a brush and warm water to get rid of the dirt, dust and other debris. You can also soak the filter in vinegar solution to kill the bacteria. Vinegar will also kill any pathogens that may be in the air filter. Before you reinsert the filter back into the AC machine, make sure that it has dried properly.

• As you wait for the filter to dry, you can wipe the device using a moist rag. A microfiber cloth or moist sponge can also be used to wipe the exterior. Once you are done with the cleaning, let the unit dry to prevent mildew and mold from growing when the device is kept in the storage area throughout the winter season.

• The air conditioning unit should always be stored in the upright position. This will help to ensure that the oil is settled and evenly distributed.

• The unit can also be stored on its side, but it should first be allowed to rest for about an hour in the upright position.

• The air conditioner can be kept in the basement or utility room. If you must keep the device in the garage, be sure to protect it from rodents which can chew up the cables and wires.

• In order to prevent fluids from seeping into the bottom of the unit, you must store it on a block or raised platform.

• Make sure that there are no heavy objects on shelves that can fall on the air conditioning unit.

• If you have limited space in your house, you can package it carefully and use it as a side table. Ideally, it should be placed in areas with less traffic or corners to prevent any damage from occurring.

• There are some cases where removing the AC unit is next to impossible, like when it is mounted very high on the wall. The best thing to do in such a case would be to cover it using a winterized cover as opposed to removing it. This will help to protect your air conditioning device from any damage that may occur as a result of the freezing winter temperatures. The cover will also protect the unit from insects, debris and dirt.

• Before you purchase a winterized cover, be sure to take measurements so that you can get something that can fit well onto the device.

When summer returns, you can remove the winterized cover or reinstall the AC unit back to its usual position.