How to Stay Cool When Your A/C Goes Out
It’s a hot summer day and your air conditioning unit stops working. You’re probably thinking things can’t get any worse. That is, until you learn that a technician won’t be able to fix it right away.
The summer season is busy for HVAC companies, which means same-day repairs can be hard to get, and it’ll be up to you to keep your cool, literally.
You don’t have to be miserable, though, while waiting for a contractor to repair or replace your system. Here are a couple tricks to temporarily cool your home and make yourself more comfortable when your HVAC system is malfunctioning.
Regulate Your Body Temperature
Regulating your body temperature is essential when trying to stay cool in a home with no A/C. Be sure to stay hydrated and wear cool clothes made of breathable fabrics, such as cotton. When possible, avoid making frequent trips in and outdoors so that you are able to maintain a cool body temperature after you’ve reached it.
Close Your Windows
Half the battle of beating the heat in Florida and South Georgia homes is keeping the humidity out. While your first instinct when your unit stops working may be to open your windows, this is the wrong move. Opening windows will let in humidity and make your house feel hotter even if you’ve succeeded in dropping the temperature.
Shut Your Blinds
During the day, be sure to close blinds or curtains to prevent direct sunlight from beaming in. This can heat up a room faster than anything. A small bulb will generate a lot less heat than a full open window with afternoon sun exposure.
Give Your Fan a Boost
This handy DIY is one of the oldest tricks in the books, and for good reason. To maximize the cooling power of your fan, fill a large container with ice water and position it in front of the fan to create a cool and refreshing breeze.
On their own, ceiling and portable fans are great for reducing moisture on the skin and making you feel cooler. However, when you’re not in the room, you should turn them off because they will not actually reduce the room’s temperature.
Get A Temporary Unit Installed
Some contractors, such as Barineau Heating and Air Conditioning, will go above and beyond to make sure you stay cool by installing temporary units free of charge. Often, temporary portable units are placed inside your bedroom or living room to increase comfort until your A/C unit can be replaced. If your compressor stops working on an outdoor unit, a temporary replacement can also be installed.
If you’re unit has stopped working and you need an HVAC contractor to inspect it, don’t panic. Call Barineau Heating and Air Conditioning today at 850-580-4029 or 229-495-6599 for fast and reliable service.
