A window air conditioner is awkward rather than heavy, and almost all of the risk is in one moment: getting it out of the window without it tipping outward. On anything above the ground floor, that’s a two-person job.
Before you start
Switch it off and unplug it a few hours ahead, so the coils stop dripping.
Drain it. Most window units collect condensation in a pan at the back. Tilt the unit slightly toward the outside, from inside, so the water runs out the back before you move it, or have a towel ready.
Clear the room. Move furniture away from the window and lay a towel or a blanket on the floor where the unit will land.
Out of the window
- Unscrew the side panels or accordion curtains from the window frame, and remove any brackets or screws holding the sash down.
- With one person holding the unit firmly, raise the sash just enough to free the top of the unit.
- Tilt the unit back toward the room, slide it in over the sill and lower it onto the towel.
- Close and lock the window.
Before the pickup, the unit needs to be out of the window and resting on the floor.
Never push the sash up and let go while the unit is still in it. The sash is often the only thing stopping a window unit falling outward.
One more step
Refrigerant must be removed by a certified technician before pickup. That’s true of every AC unit, window or otherwise, so book the technician first and the pickup after.
Portable units and outdoor condensers
A portable AC unit has a hose to a window kit; take the hose and the kit off and empty its water tank. An outdoor condenser for a central system sits on a pad, is wired and piped into the house, and is a job for an HVAC contractor first. Tell the booking which type you have and where it sits.
AC unit checklist
- Off and unplugged a few hours ahead
- Condensation drained
- Out of the window and resting on the floor, with two people
- Window closed and locked
- Certified technician visit done
- Unit type noted when booking
An AC unit starts at $80 on its own, or adds $25 to a pickup that’s already happening.
