It’s finally time to go home from work to cool down and relax at the end of your day, but you end up discovering that your AC unit is busted. While it isn’t the middle of summer anymore, you don’t want to sit around the house sweaty and irritated. You’ve likely called an expert for HVAC repair services, but what can you do while you wait? Read on to learn five important tips for keeping your home air conditioned if your AC breaks.
Tip #1: Lower Your Shades
Although it’s nice to let a little sunlight brighten up your rooms, this can also cause your space to become quite hot if there isn’t any AC going. To help prevent this, you should try lowering your shades or drawing your curtains to block out the rays. Don’t forget to also shut the windows so no hot air enters your home. As an extra measure, you could even invest in thick, dark curtains that have white reflective backing to reflect sunlight more effectively.
Tip #2: Open the Windows in the Evening
Since the temperature outside gradually decreases during the night, it’s best to open up your windows to let the cool air in. Doing so also allows the trapped hot air to escape from your home, creating a cooler environment. Just remember to close the windows when you wake up in the morning to avoid the warm air from seeping through.
Tip #3: Make Your Ceiling Fans Rotate Counter Clockwise
Did you know that ceiling fans are usually made to spin clockwise so that air can be blown toward those underneath them? If there is mostly warm or hot air, it’ll simply be dispersed around the room. However, you may find a switch on your fan to make it rotate counterclockwise! This can help draw up cool air from the bottom of the room and circulate it so that you can stay comfortable, especially during summer.
Tip #4: Use Cool Towels
Another way to cool yourself off is to lower your body temperature. Take two towels and run cold water on them. Put one around your neck and the other in the freezer. By placing the wet towel on the back of your neck, you’ll naturally decrease your body temperature and feel fresh. After the first towel loses its coolness, switch it out with the one from the freezer.
Tip #5: Reduce Heat Generated Within the House
If it’s already warm or hot in your home, the last thing you want is to make it hotter by using your stove or oven. Should you need to heat any food, make sure to use your microwave instead. Stick to meals like sandwiches or fruits so you don’t have to worry about heating anything. If you need to use the dishwasher, try using it at night.
Even if you’re waiting for HVAC services to come repair your AC, it doesn’t mean you can’t manage your situation in the meantime. Keep these tips in mind and you should be able to stay cool until your unit gets fixed.
About the Owner
Joe is incredibly passionate about his work and always looks forward to helping those with HVAC issues. He studied at Gulf Coast State College, earning his Class B HVAC license there before becoming EPA and A2L certified. If your AC unit is broken and need to schedule repair services, visit our website or give him a call at (850) 988-3116.