A window air conditioner is one of the easiest ways to efficiently cool off a room.
But what happens when an unexpected summer rain hits and water starts pooling up in your window AC ?
It can be a pain to deal with, but fortunately, there are some things you can do to get the water out and keep it from happening again down the line.
Window Air Conditioner Full of Water After Rain
1.Getting the Water Out
The first thing to do is get the water out of the window AC unit.
And the first step to working with a window AC regardless of what kind of repair you’re doing on it, used to unplug it.
You don’t want to risk getting shocked especially when you are talking about dealing with water and electricity.
1. Locate the drain hole.
The drain hole is typically located at the bottom of the window AC. It’s designed to allow the water that is built up from condensation to have a place to drip out of.
2. Clear any debris
Since there is already a drain hole that should be allowing the rain water that has gotten into the air conditioner to drain out.
The logical first step is to make sure that the drain hole is clear and doesn’t have any debris.
You can remove any blockage that may have gotten in there, typically very easily with a pipe cleaner or small cleaning brush.
You can even use a Shop-Vac or air compressor If you want to go that far.
3. Fix the tilt
If you clean out the drain hole and there is still water collected in the bottom of the AC, then the tilt of the air conditioner maybe slightly off.
Which basically means that the water is not running towards the drain and is puddling up somewhere.
Most window air conditioners are required to have a slight tilt towards the rear. It’s that tilt that provides a pathway for the water to run towards the drain hole.
But there are window ACs that require the unit to be completely level for the water to drain evenly out of the drain hole.
If you have the type of window AC that requires a tilt, The easiest thing is to use a level to get it square then let it fall to the rear till you get the bubble in the middle of the level to one side.
If you have a window AC that requires it to be completely level, use the same leveling tool to make sure the bubble is sitting directly in the center when you set it.
You should definitely check your manual to find out which type you have.
Keeping the water out.
Even though window air conditioners may not be completely waterproof, they are designed to withstand the elements.
And if there is a rainstorm with high winds, there is a chance that rain is going to get into your window AC.
But that in itself is not a problem.
So the best way to keep the water out of your window air conditioner is the same methods that you used to get the water out.
1. Remove anything that could be blocking the drainage hole on the bottom of the outside of the air conditioner.
2. Make sure the tilt is correct.
Most window air conditioners require that you slightly tilt the air conditioner backwards to provide a path for the water to flow to the drain.
How much of a tilt? About 5° or when the bubble in the middle of the level is on one side of the center.
Other window air conditioners require that the air conditioner be completely level for the water to drain properly.
Check your manual to find out which one you have.
Conclusion.
Window Air Conditioner Full of Water After Rain
A window air conditioner full of water after rain comes down to a clogged drain hole.
Use a pipe cleaner or brush and clear out the drainage hole and the water should flow out naturally.
But if the water does not completely drain, there is probably an issue with how the air conditioner is tilted.
Most air conditioners are meant to be tilted so that the water has a clear path to the drain.
Some are meant to be completely level for the water to drain.
Check your manual to find out which one you have and proceed to fix your tilt
