The last thing anyone wants to happen on a sweltering summer day is for their air conditioner to stop working.
Although the average lifespan of a central air conditioning unit is anywhere from 15 to 20 years, you may find yourself faced with a non-functioning air conditioner for any number of reasons. Or your unit may begin throwing off an unpleasant smell that makes running it impossible.
Until you can get your broken AC repaired or replaced, try these tips to help you stay cool inside your home.
Run Fans
Provided a power outage isn’t the cause of your air conditioner problem, the next best thing you can do to feel cooler is to run fans in your home. Although they don’t actually blow cool air or remove humidity, they’ll at least keep air circulating which can provide some relief.
Try to leverage some cross ventilation by running fans on opposite ends of a room, or open windows on opposite ends of your home if it’s breezy outside.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a few battery-operated fans so you can keep the air flowing when there’s no electricity. And don’t underestimate the cooling power of small desktop and handheld fans that have built-in water misters. That moisture evaporating from your skin delivers a wonderful cooling effect.
Take a Cool Shower or Bath
One of the quickest ways to bring the heat down fast is to take a cool shower or bath. You can also try soaking your feet in cool water. When your feet are cool, the effect tends to make the rest of your body feel cooler as well.
Avoid Adding Extra Heat to Your Home
Many appliances through enough heat to make a home feel even more miserable on a hot day. This includes your oven, stove, vacuum cleaner, and dryer. Avoid running them, or reserve them for the nighttime hours when the temperature has cooled down a bit.
You may also want to prevent the sun’s rays from entering windows and making your home hotter by blocking them out with shades or dark, heavy curtains.
Try This Ancient Egyptian Trick
Supposedly the ancient Egyptians discovered the secret to staying cool while sleeping. They soaked their blankets in water, then wrung them out until they were just damp and slept underneath one.
You can achieve the same results by soaking a cotton sheet in cold water and wringing it out at bedtime. Just be sure to squeeze out enough water so the sheet is not wet.
If you don’t like the idea of sleeping underneath a damp sheet, you can place dry sheets in the freezer for a couple of hours before turning in. You’ll achieve the same effect, although it may not last as long as dampening the sheet.
Stay Hydrated
Lastly, don’t let yourself get dehydrated on a hot day. Drink plenty of cool water and cool water-based beverages (such as lemonade.) Although a cold beer can be refreshing, remember that alcohol can also dehydrate the body so be sure to follow it up with plain water.
Don’t Lose Your Cool with a Broken AC
A broken AC on a hot day is no fun, but you can survive it by trying the above tips.
And don’t forget that Thermacon Service Company specializes in 24-hour air conditioning repair and installation so you never have to suffer for long without an AC. Request AC service by filling out our online form.
