A functioning air conditioner is essential for keeping your home comfortable in the summer. However, if your AC breaks unexpectedly, there are a few things you can do to stay comfy. We’re here to share some tried-and-true methods to keep cool while you wait for professional AC repair.
Keep the Heat Out
The first step in staying cool is preventing additional heat from entering your home. Start by closing all blinds and curtains. While you might miss the sunlight, your home will stay noticeably cooler.
Keep your doors and windows shut during the hottest parts of the day. While we understand the appeal of ventilation on a hot day, opening the windows will let hot air pour into your home. Hold off on opening your windows until the evening, when temperatures drop.
If there are any small gaps around your doors or windows, use weather stripping to seal them up. This will make your home more comfortable and improve its energy efficiency year-round.
Create a Cross-Breeze
Once the outside temperature drops below your indoor temperature, it’s time to get strategic with your windows. Open windows on opposite sides of your home to create a natural airflow pathway. This cross-breeze will make your home feel significantly cooler.
Strategic fan positioning can enhance this effect. Place a fan facing inward on the side of your home receiving cooler air and another fan facing outward on the opposite side. This will help pull cool air in and push hot air out, creating a more comfortable environment.
Get the Most out of Your Fans
Fans are your best friends when your AC is out of commission. Place a large bowl of ice or frozen water bottles before a fan. As the ice melts, the fan will blow cooled air around the room.
If you have ceiling fans, make sure they’re rotating counterclockwise. Most ceiling fans have a switch to change the direction. This direction pushes air down, making you feel cooler.
If you have box fans, place them in windows facing outward. This will exhaust hot air and make room for cool nighttime air.
Cool Your Body
Sometimes, the most effective way to beat the heat is to focus on cooling your body. Start by staying hydrated. Drink plenty of cool water throughout the day. Your body uses water to regulate its temperature, so staying hydrated is crucial for keeping cool.
Cool showers can provide immediate relief from the heat. Even running cool water over your wrists for a few minutes can help. Your wrists, and other pulse points like your neck, elbows, ankles, and behind the knees, have blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. Cooling these areas can help lower your overall body temperature.
Wear light, loose-fitting, and breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. These materials allow your skin to breathe and sweat to evaporate, which is your body’s natural cooling process.
Avoid Heat-Generating Activities
Your home appliances can be secret heat sources. Avoid using your oven and stove top as much as possible. These appliances can raise your kitchen’s temperature significantly.
Instead, opt for cool meals like salads or sandwiches. Take advantage of outdoor cooking if you have a grill.
Other heat-generating culprits include dishwashers, clothes dryers, and even some electronics. Try to run these appliances at night when it’s cooler. Better yet, give them a break until your AC is back up and running. Hand-wash dishes and hang clothes to dry. Gaming consoles can generate a surprising amount of heat, so try not to use them.
Adjust Your Schedule
When your air conditioning system is out, it might be time to change your routine. Seep on lower levels of your home where it’s naturally cooler. Schedule strenuous activities for cooler parts of the day.
If you work from home, consider setting up a temporary workspace in your designated cool room. This can help you stay productive despite high indoor temperatures.
Living Without AC: A Temporary Solution
A broken AC is more than just an inconvenience. It can be a health risk, especially for vulnerable individuals like the elderly, young children, or those with certain health conditions. That’s where Allied Air Conditioning & Heating Corporation comes in.
We understand that being without air conditioning, even for a short time, can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. That’s why we offer fast, reliable AC repair services to get your system back up and running as quickly as possible.
