Maintenance Guide: How to Keep Your GE Wall AC Running for 10+ Years (Mike’s Long-Term Care Playbook)
The GE 12,000 BTU 208/230V Through-the-Wall AC with Electric Heat (AJEQ12DWJ) can easily last a decade or more when it's maintained the right way. These units are tanks—simple, reliable, and built to run year-round—but they don’t tolerate dust, blocked airflow, standing water, or poor sleeve installations. Most of the early failures I see are due to neglect, not defective hardware.
1. Why Maintenance Makes or Breaks a Wall AC Unit
Through-the-wall units deal with harsher conditions than most HVAC systems. They sit in a metal sleeve that’s exposed to heat, humidity, insects, dust, exterior air, and temperature swings. Meanwhile, the inside half pulls in indoor dust, hair, debris, and moisture.
A neglected GE wall unit works harder every hour it runs:
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dirty coils choke heat exchange
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clogged filters suffocate airflow
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blocked drain holes cause mold and water leaks
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failing seals let outdoor air inside
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a dirty blower causes noise
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buildup on heating coils burns and damages components
Reference: HVAC Preventive Maintenance Standards
A few minutes of maintenance each month saves you hundreds in electricity and years of lifespan.
2. Monthly Maintenance Tasks (The Minimum You MUST Do)
These are your “non-negotiables.” Skip these and your unit will struggle.
2.1 Clean the Filter
The #1 cause of airflow loss, poor cooling, overheating heaters, and noisy operation is a dirty filter.
Steps:
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Remove the front grill.
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Pull out the filter.
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Wash with warm soapy water.
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Rinse and let dry fully.
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Reinstall.
Do this monthly, or every 2 weeks if you:
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have pets
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smoke
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live in dusty environments
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run heat regularly
Reference: Indoor Air Quality and Filtration Recommendations
2.2 Wipe the Front Panel and Intake Grilles
Dust on the intake reduces airflow before air even reaches the filter.
2.3 Check for Odors
Any smell indicates:
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mold
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mildew
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dust burning on the heater coil
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stagnant condensation
Fixing it early keeps the system clean.
2.4 Run Fan Mode for 10 Minutes
This dries moisture on the coils after cooling, preventing mildew.
3. Seasonal Maintenance (Every 3 Months)
Seasonal upkeep keeps coils clear, drainage flowing, and heating coils safe.
3.1 Clean the Evaporator (Indoor) Coil
Dust and debris cut efficiency dramatically.
Steps:
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Remove front panel.
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Spray with foaming coil cleaner.
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Let it foam and dissolve dirt.
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Rinse lightly.
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Air dry.
Dirty coils reduce cooling output by 20–40%.
Reference: Room AC Airflow and Efficiency Guidelines
3.2 Clean the Condenser (Outdoor) Coil
This one is often ignored because it’s inside the sleeve outdoors.
Steps:
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Remove rear grille.
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Spray coil cleaner.
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Rinse gently.
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Reinstall grille.
A clean condenser keeps the compressor from overworking.
3.3 Inspect and Clean the Blower Wheel
The blower moves all your air. Dust throws it off balance.
Symptoms:
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rattling
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weak airflow
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humming
Vacuum gently without bending fins.
3.4 Clean the Heating Element
Electric coils collect dust, which burns.
Steps:
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Run heat for 3–5 minutes
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Let initial dust burn off
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Check for discoloration or scorching
Reference: Residential Electric Heat Safety Practices
4. Annual Maintenance (Deep Cleaning Time)
Do this once a year—ideally spring before cooling season kicks in.
4.1 Pull the Unit Out of the Sleeve
If you’re comfortable doing so, removing the unit allows a face-to-face inspection of:
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drainage
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blower
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evaporator coil
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condenser coil
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interior sleeve moisture
This prevents long-term corrosion.
4.2 Clean the Drain Pan Thoroughly
The evaporator continuously drips water into this pan.
If the pan clogs:
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water backs up
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mold grows
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leaks enter your home
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the AC starts smelling bad
Use vinegar or coil cleaner.
4.3 Clear the Drain Holes and Channels
The sleeve itself has drain holes at the bottom rear.
Clogs cause:
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water pooling
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mold
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interior leaks
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rotten framing and drywall
Reference: Wall Sleeve Maintenance and Drainage Specifications
4.4 Re-Seal Around the Sleeve
Examine:
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interior caulk
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exterior caulk
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flashing tape
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gaps
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cracks
Fixing the seal keeps:
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bugs out
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cold drafts out
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warm air inside
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the AC from working harder
4.5 Tighten Sleeve and AC Screws
Homes settle over time; screws loosen.
Loose screws = rattling and vibration.
4.6 Check for Rust
If you see:
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brown streaks
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flaking metal
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rust holes
You need to treat the sleeve or consider replacement.
5. Long-Term Maintenance (Every 2–3 Years)
These steps protect major components and preserve performance.
5.1 Inspect Electrical Connections
The heating element draws high amperage. Check for:
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warm outlets
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discoloration
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buzzing
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loose faceplates
If anything seems off, call an electrician.
Reference: Residential Electric Heat Safety Practices
5.2 Replace or Refresh the Rear Grille
A rusted or bent grille:
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restricts airflow
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increases noise
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strains the compressor
5.3 Replace Old Filters
Over time, plastic mesh filters warp.
Replace every few years for optimal airflow.
5.4 Refresh Exterior Seals and Flashing
UV light and weather break down sealant.
New flashing = better efficiency and fewer drafts.
6. The Worst Maintenance Mistakes (Mike’s Field Notes)
These mistakes cut lifespan in half.
Mistake #1: Never Cleaning the Filter
The compressor overheats and dies
→ $400+ repair
→ sometimes replacement required.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Water Drips Inside
This signals a pitch, drainage, or coil issue.
Fix immediately.
Mistake #3: Running Heat on High Fan
This cools the air before it leaves the unit.
Low fan = warmer heat.
Mistake #4: Putting Furniture Too Close
This suffocates airflow.
Keep at least 3 ft clearance.
Mistake #5: Never Cleaning the Coils
Dust + moisture = mold and premature failure.
Mistake #6: Not Checking the Sleeve for Gaps
Even small gaps cause:
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cold drafts
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lost heat
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reduced cooling
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pressure imbalances
7. Pro Tips to Make Your GE Unit Last Even Longer
These tips go beyond “basic maintenance” and into “keep it alive forever” territory.
7.1 Use a Surge Protector
Electric heat draws big power. Protect your electronics.
7.2 Don’t Use High Fan All the Time
High fan wears out the blower motor faster.
Alternate speeds.
7.3 Control Humidity Indoors
ACs hate high humidity and dust.
Use:
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dehumidifiers
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“Dry” mode
7.4 Keep Curtains Closed During Heat Waves
This reduces workload and extends compressor life.
8. Seasonal Quick-Reference Checklist
Spring
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Deep clean everything
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Test drainage
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Reseal exterior
Summer
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Clean filter monthly
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Watch humidity levels
Fall
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Test heater early
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Clean heating coil
Winter
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Check for drafts
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Run fan occasionally to dry coil
9. When It’s Time to Replace Instead of Maintain
Replace if:
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compressor fails
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refrigerant leak confirmed
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unit older than 12–15 years
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heater coil burns out
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excessive rust or corrosion
Repairs can approach the price of a new model.
10. Final Word from Mike
Here’s the simple truth:
Filter + Coil + Drain + Sleeve = Your AC’s Lifespan.
If you:
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clean the filter
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keep the coils clean
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maintain drainage
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protect the sleeve
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maintain electrical integrity
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control dust and humidity
…your GE AJEQ12DWJ will last for years without complaint.
Skip these steps?
You’ll be back here searching “Why is my GE wall AC not cooling?” again.
In the next blog, Mike will give do the comparison between Amana vs GE vs Friedrich.
