Some air conditioners seem to go on forever, but they do retire eventually. Window air conditioners are an affordable way to cool your home and are ideal for smaller spaces, such as apartments. Although they do not require a large upfront expense, homeowners still want to make sure they get the most out of the air conditioner they buy. Most window air conditioners have similar service lives, but their longevity depends on use, maintenance and proper storage. Average Lifespan Most window air conditioners have a service life of about 10 years, but this can vary depending on how often the unit is used and whether or not it is properly maintained. Air conditioners that are only used for a couple of months each year typically have a longer service life than those used several months each year. Most manufacturers include a warranty with their window air conditioners which indicates the expected life of the units. Some offer a 5 year warranty on all parts, while others offer longer warranties.

A Dirty Unit Dies Young Regular maintenance of your window air conditioner ensures it runs efficiently and can prolong its service life. Dirty filters prevent proper air flow, which means your air conditioner has to work harder to provide cool air to your home. outside ac unit cuts offAnd if the air flow is blocked, the air that bypasses the filter may bring dirt into the evaporator coil, which reduces its ability to absorb heat. ac dc power supply indiaWindow air conditioners typically have a filter inside the grill. outside ac unit doesn't turn onSome filters are reusable, but others must be replaced. Check your window air conditioner manual to determine the type of filter yours uses. The evaporator and condenser coils can also collect dirt over time, so clean these every year and clean the drain tubes as well.

Many window air conditioners have a drain pan where a tube carries condensation from the unit. If this tube is plugged, your air conditioner won’t run as efficiently, and this can shorten its service life. Run a stiff wire through the drain tubes to clear buildup and scale. Location and Sizing Can Extend Life Window air conditioner life can be prolonged if the window it’s installed in is out of direct sunlight. A north wall or a wall that is shaded is usually ideal because heating of the air conditioner from the sun is minimized in these locations. Before you install, check the heating and cooling capacity for your air conditioner. If it is too small, it won’t be able to handle the cooling load during hot spells. Most air conditioner manufacturers include capacity on the label. The required capacity for the room depends on the size of the room. Window air conditioners range in capacity from 5,500 Btu (British thermal units) per hour to 14,000 Btu per hour. Your unit may be sized by “ton,” which is 12,000 Btu per hour.

Typically a window air conditioner needs 20 Btu for every square foot of space. Proper Storage If window air conditioners are not stored properly when not in use, they may become damaged or dirty, and this can limit the service life. Remove your air conditioner when it’s no longer in use and place it in a dry location. Cover the air conditioner to prevent dust and debris from falling inside and keep it in a location where it will not be kicked or bumped. Do not store a window air conditioner on a high shelf where it might fall. References Natural Resources Canada: Room Air ConditionersSunland Home Inspection: Component Life Expectancy and Component Replacement CostsU.S. Department of Energy: Maintaining Your Air ConditionerThis Old House: How Long Stuff LastsU.S. Department of Energy: Room Air Conditioners Photo Credits Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Home weatherization is an easy and affordable do-it-yourself project that can be done in as little as a weekend.

Air conditioning units can provide added comfort during the hot weather, but oftentimes require protection from the elements during the cold-weather months. The Duck® Brand Indoor Window Air Conditioner Cover is a reusable, easy-to-install cover that is used inside your home around your window air conditioning unit to seal in climate controlled air and seal out drafts, dust and insects. Use in combination with other Duck brand weatherization products for added comfort and energy savings. Fits around standard A/C units Securing strap included to fit around the cover tightly around unit Place on top of unit and lower window to compress seal for best insulation Premium A/C Insulating Seal Air Conditioner Insulating Seal This easy-to-install foam seal closes the gaps between the window A/C unit and window frame, keeping outside air, insects and dust out. Washable, reusable and versatile, this replacement filter helps to remove dust and pollen from the air to increase comfort in your home.

Window Unit Air Conditioner Cover This reusable, easy-to-install cover protects window A/C units from damaging effects of weather or dust all year long. 11,574 posts, read 5,677,023 times 2,737 posts, read 2,879,423 times 2,003 posts, read 2,276,845 times 5,037 posts, read 5,941,141 times Originally Posted by mic111 That's exactly what I would do. 27,825 posts, read 28,015,802 times 21,105 posts, read 29,415,213 times Can I run a swamp cooler AND a window A/C unit?Depends on the situation. I have done it, did it for about five years in our house with a small room used as an office that just would not cool due to location. I kept the door closed and the ceiling house vent closed. A 6,000 btu wind A/C worked quite well. The added benefit was the "Man Cave", kids, grand kids, dogs (well, one of the old dogs was allowed in.). Voting has begun on the August 2016 "Show Us Your Best Shot" Contest 4,764 posts, read 7,040,972 times

86 posts, read 173,398 times Originally Posted by Big GeorgeAir conditioners that operate on a closed vapor compression cycle operate by actually removing energy from the air. The dehumidification is a SIDE EFFECT, because the temperature of the air drops below the dew point. Direct evaporative coolers do not remove energy from the air. It simply adds cold water to lower the average temperature of the air. Assuming the evaporative cooler does not pull air from the outside, running the air conditioner actually improves the performance of the evaporative cooler, because it's easier to evaporate water in drier air than in humid air. (If it were pulling air from the outside, then it's like running the A/C in the car with your windows down. I would agree that it would not be very efficient that way.) And if you wanted to be super efficient, you would loop the air conditioner water back into the evaporative cooler. 2,707 posts, read 4,302,232 times Originally Posted by dogbert_2001