How to Uninstall a Window Air Conditioner

Window or wall conditioners are very common in Florida, especially in spaces that are not tied into the central air systems in a home. During the late spring months, continuing through the summer, and into the first several weeks of fall, these can provide cooler temperatures in spaces to make them comfortable.

However, during the late fall, through the winter, and into early spring, these units are usually unnecessary and also compromise trapping heat inside a home. If your home has an old unit which no longer works, it should be taken out and disposed of properly. If it is in good working condition, then it should be properly insulated in order to keep cold air out of the home.

How to Uninstall a Wall/Window Air Conditioner

Place a large, thick towel on the floor directly under the unit and then unplug the power cord. This will protect the floor from any dripping moisture puddled inside the appliance. Wrap the power cord up and cinch it with string to keep it from dangling and becoming a tripping hazard. You should probably have someone help you to remove it because these units are generally heavy and awkward to carry alone.

Air conditioners provide much needed relief from the sweltering summer heat, but they have limited use once the weather cools off. These units can actually make your home draftier in the fall because of how they sit in windows. You need to remove window air conditioners in the fall to help prepare your home for winter. -- eHow.com

If the unit is simply installed with a wood or metal base and vinyl accordion side panels, removing it will be easy. However, if it's been installed permanently, it will a bit more work. With the power cord unplugged and wound-up and the towel over the floor, pop-off the front cover and set it to the side. Then, do the following:

1. Pull the vinyl accordion side panels out of the window. This might require using a screw drive or power driver to unfasten any retaining screws holding the panels in place.
2. Gently pull the unit out from the window. This is where an extra set of helping hands will be needed.
3. Unfasten the appliance's base. It might be supported by a wooden base, metal base, or even propped-up by supports affixed to the exterior.

Now, you can simply close the window or reinsert the pane of glass and store the unit somewhere until it's needed again.

How to Dispose of an Old A/C Window Unit

If the air conditioner no longer works, you'll have to dispose of it. Because it uses a refrigerant, this won't be as simple as setting it out on the curb for the local garbage collection service to pick-up. You can put an ad on the internet and give it away free to someone who can fix it or call a junk removal service to have it hauled away. You can also take it to a recycling facility.