A majority of us have faced hot summer days when the AC broke down. There seemed to be nothing that you could do to keep yourself and your house cool until the technician arrived and repaired the cooling system. What if we were to tell you there are ways to keep yourself and your house cool even if the air conditioner is not working? I am sure you must now be thinking why you never heard of it before. It’s because we live in a bubble where the AC is always there to keep you comfortable, and so we forget to prepare for those times when it can’t be switched on.
Cooling The House When The AC Breaks Down
Without much further ado, let’s see what all you can do to keep yourself and your house cool when the AC breaks.
1. Draw The Blinds And Curtains – When for some reason, your AC refuses to work, the first thing you should do is draw the blinds and curtains. Doing so will prevent sunlight from permeating the house, and as a result, it will not heat up unnecessarily. A well-known fact is that dark places are cooler than well-lit ones. Hence, the heavier the drapes, the cooler the indoors. In fact, if you follow this practice of closing the blinds even on days when the AC is working fine, at the month-end when you see a lower electricity bill, your pockets will thank you.
2. Switch On The Ceiling Fans Counterclockwise – As long as the air moves, you will feel relaxed. The science behind it is simple. Our body sweats to control the internal body temperature, and as the air moves over the damp skin, it makes us feel cool. Even otherwise, moving air gives more respite than standing air. Hence, switch on those ceiling fans. Most fans need to be adjusted seasonally. In summers, switch them on counter-clockwise as it will create a wind-chill breeze effect. The purpose of your ceiling fan is to circulate the air and keep your home comfortable. You might as well give them a chance to do the needful.
3. Switch Of Appliances That Generate Heat – All homes have a plethora of appliances. When they work, they produce heat. With the air conditioning on, we don’t feel the increase in temperature. But when the AC goes kaput, even a little addition of heat will make indoors unbearable. Switching off unnecessary appliances like dishwasher, dryer, oven, and even refrigerator will go a long way in keeping the warmth indoors in check.
4. A Pedestal Fan And Block Of Ice – If things are really bad and your home feels like a furnace, try this trick. Plugin your pedestal fan and place a big block of ice in front of it in a big container or a tub. Switch on the fan and allow the air to pass over the ice before reaching you. This cheap trick is a wonderful way to cool a room. Stay there until the technician arrives to inspect the AC and troubleshoot the problem.
5. Turn on The Bathroom Fans And Kitchen Exhaust – The fans in the bathroom and the kitchen exhaust both serve the purpose of sending the hot air out. Unfortunately, in both these places, the air happens to be more moist, which increases the discomfort indoors. Switching on the exhausts will help get rid of the warm moist air and make the indoors feel much cooler than before.
6. Open The Windows At Night And Early Morning Hours – At night, the outdoor temperature dips considerably compared to the daytime. Now is the perfect time to open the windows and cool your home naturally. Although, ensure that the windows have netting to keep mosquitoes and other insects out. Also, keep the ceiling fans running even now. It will quicken the cooling process. Similarly, the early morning hours are also cool. Keeping the windows open will cool your house enough to see you through comfortably until the repairman arrives. As the sun rises and the temperature begins to rise outside, the time has come to close the windows and draw the drapes.
7. Switch Off The Incandescent Lights – The incandescent lights produce a lot of heat. If your house is equipped with those, switch them off. If possible, replace them with CFLs. You may be surprised to know that incandescent bulbs waste almost 90% of their energy to produce heat. So effectively, you gain more heat and less light in terms of output. Tossing them out will not only kill the heat in the house but also reduce the burden on your pockets.
Keeping Yourself Cool When The AC Breaks Down
Now that you have taken steps to cool the house let’s do a couple more things to keep yourself cool. Together the two things will make you forget that the AC is not working.
1. Wear Light Cotton Clothes – Cotton clothes are light and don’t stick to the body. They are breathable and allow the air to pass through. When your AC is out of commission, wear such clothes as they will help keep your body cool.
2. Put A Slightly Damp Towel Around Your Neck – Dampen a towel with water, squeeze out the excess and place it around your neck. This little trick also helps to make you feel nice and cool.
Wrapping Up
A bust AC is an inconvenience that becomes all the more bothersome when it happens during the peak of summers. However, as we discussed above, there are several things that you can do to keep the interiors cool, like draw the drapes, switch on the fan, wear cotton clothes, use the exhaust, etc. In fact, following these tactics while your AC is working will help lower the energy bills and increase indoor comfort.
Residents Of West Palm Beach need not panic when their AC breaks down. The good news is that the technicians at Aztil Air Conditioning are available 24/7 to cater to such emergencies. With our top-notch services at affordable rates and prompt resolution of problems, we have become a household name. Our repertoire of services consists of installations, repairs, maintenance, air quality solutions, duct cleaning, etc. To book an appointment, call us at any time at +1-888-729-8452.
