How to Stay Cool Without AC
News of your A/C system breaking down in the summer is bound to draw groans from your family. Even when you plan ahead with preventive maintenance, heating and cooling system mechanical failure in HVAC equipment is sometimes unavoidable. Have the brand, i.e., Trane, Carrier, Lennox, or model, i.e. Infinity 19VS or Trane XV18 TruComfort Variable Speed of your A/C system on hand, so HVAC technicians know what to bring when you call for service. In the meantime, there are ways to stay cool while you wait for air conditioner repairs to be completed. Here is a checklist for how to stay cool without AC.
- Create shade inside the house: Allowing the sun to pound your home in midsummer is guaranteed to make things hotter. Make sure any areas of direct sun exposure are covered, with the windows closed and curtains or blinds drawn tight. This system of blocking the sun's heat transfer is good to use during any hot season. When the sun cannot heat your home as much, you won't need to cool it as often. This approach helps you save on energy costs.
- Use ceiling and portable fans: Electric fans will be your best friend while you wait for technicians to finish your air conditioner repairs. Even though they don't lower the temperature in the room, fans can clear the hot air from around your body, which makes you feel cooler. (Here is that surprise hack) One trick with portable fans is placing a bowl of ice in front, so the air blowing toward you gets colder. Ceiling fans help your A/C system circulate air when the equipment is working, but they come in handy during a breakdown as well. I have blogged about how installing a ceiling fan here, and it is an excellent home improvement project for any time of year.
- Avoid hot appliances: No matter how hungry you get, don't begin cooking while you wait for technicians to arrive to fix your A/C system. Heat generated by stoves, ovens, dryers and most other appliances makes your home less bearable in the summer. Light fixtures using incandescent bulbs also generate a great deal of heat, as does the television. Try to operate without lights and other appliances that are going to make the air hot and humid.
- Hit the water: Having a pool is going to make the situation quite bearable when you have to call for A/C repairs, but there is hope even if you do not have access to a pool. Take a cool shower to make the situation better. Even a kiddie pool will come in handy if your children or pets seem to be on the verge of overheating. Once you are sure an A/C technician is headed to your home, start planning a trip to the movie theater or another air-conditioned oasis.
- Wet towel tricks: Heat escapes the body through the head, so using a wet towel to cover your hair will give you a cooling sensation. You could also try wetting your hair and sit near a fan to feel the pleasant effects of the breeze. Another trick is hanging a wet towel by the window, as long as there is no direct sunlight coming through it. It provides a cooling effect in rooms where there is a breeze hitting the window.
While there are ways to try cooling off while you wait for A/C service, the best way to solve the problem is having skilled HVAC professionals fix your system immediately. Contact Reliable Heating & Air technicians for emergency air conditioner repairs done right. Visit ReliableAir.com or call or text us at (770) 594-9969