Page Contents
- 1 How to Keep Cool When Your Air Conditioner Stops Working
- 1.1 Typical Causes of Air Conditioner Malfunctions
- 1.2 Contact a Professional HVAC Technician at Once
- 1.3 Strategic Use of Cooling Fans
- 1.4 Take Cold Showers for Rapid Cooling
- 1.5 Stay Hydrated to Avoid Heat Illnesses
- 1.6 Choose Lower Levels for Cooling During High Temperatures
- 1.7 Reduce Indoor Heat by Limiting Appliance Use
- 1.8 Utilize Indoor Plants for Natural Cooling
- 1.9 Strategic Ventilation with Window Management
- 1.10 Employ Sun Blocking Methods for Cooler Indoors
- 1.11 Select the Optimal Attire for the Summer Heat
- 2 Conclusion
- 3 Contact Modern Comfort for Expert HVAC Services
Understanding the health hazards associated with rising temperatures is crucial as summer begins. Annually, around 1,300 deaths in the United States are attributed to heat-related conditions, including dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburns. This data underscores the importance of keeping cool during the hottest periods to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Ensuring your HVAC system is in top condition protects against overheating risks and guarantees a more comfortable and secure season. However, there may be instances when your air conditioner fails, plunging your home into uncomfortable heat and humidity at the height of summer. In this article by Modern Comfort, we will explore various methods to stay cool should your air conditioning cease to function.
How to Keep Cool When Your Air Conditioner Stops Working
A breakdown of your air conditioner during the hottest months is not only discomfort—it’s a health risk. Consistent maintenance of your air conditioning unit can avoid many problems. However, knowing how to cool your home without an air conditioner is essential.
This section outlines essential tactics to alleviate heat-related discomfort and safeguard your health when your air conditioner is not operational. It also emphasizes the significance of regular air conditioner servicing to minimize the chances of unexpected breakdowns.
Ensure your comfort this summer. Schedule a comprehensive AC maintenance check today. Call Modern Comfort now!
Typical Causes of Air Conditioner Malfunctions
The US Department of Energy advises setting your air conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to maximize efficiency. Despite this, your air conditioning system may still experience disruptions. For example, summer storms can cause power outages that shut down your air conditioner unless a backup power supply is available. Additional frequent issues stem from inadequate HVAC upkeep, excessive use, older air conditioners, or cooling systems that are not correctly sized for the space.
It is essential to arrange an annual air conditioner check-up each spring to prevent issues before summer’s heat peaks. Even with these measures, however, breakdowns can happen, exposing you and your family to risks of heat-related conditions like heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The following guidelines provide practical tips for remaining cool and safe even if your air conditioner is malfunctioning or has ceased to work.
Contact a Professional HVAC Technician at Once
Should your air conditioner fail, it’s critical to contact an HVAC professional, like Modern Comfort, immediately. A qualified technician can quickly identify and rectify the problem, often restoring your system’s function within hours, depending on the issue’s complexity. However, some repairs may take longer if parts need to be ordered or replaced or if installing a new cooling system becomes necessary.
While you wait for repairs, it is important to keep your living environment cool for you and your pets. Employ alternative cooling methods to prevent heat stress until your air conditioner is back up and running.
Prevent unexpected breakdowns with our expert AC tune-up services. Book your appointment with Modern Comfort now.
Strategic Use of Cooling Fans
Strategically placing fans can effectively control indoor temperatures during summer, mainly when air conditioning is unavailable. Placing fans near windows at night can draw in cooler external air, boosting the natural cooling effect.
During the daytime, arrange fans inside your home to create a cross breeze by positioning them opposite each other, ensuring steady air circulation. This method helps move the cooler air brought in at night around your living spaces, distributing it more evenly.
Take Cold Showers for Rapid Cooling
During summer’s peak temperatures, cold showers are an immediate and efficient method of reducing heat. This approach helps rid your body of excess heat and provides a refreshing escape from the intense warmth. Taking multiple cold showers during the day can substantially improve your comfort and overall well-being in the heat.
Stay Hydrated to Avoid Heat Illnesses
Maintaining hydration is vital during hot weather. As temperatures climb, your body loses more water through sweat as it tries to cool down. Experts from Pennsylvania State University highlight the increased risk of dehydration unless these fluids are replaced promptly.
According to Harvard Medical School, consuming at least eight glasses of water each day is critical to maintaining hydration levels. Proper hydration prevents severe heat-related conditions like heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can arise from extended exposure to excessive heat.
Choose Lower Levels for Cooling During High Temperatures
In the summer, the upper floors of a house, being nearer to the roof and more exposed to rising warm air, typically become much hotter than the lower floors. To maintain a cooler environment, spending most of your time in the cooler, ground-level, or basement areas of your home is recommended.
Experience uninterrupted cooling by scheduling your air conditioner maintenance with us today. Contact Modern Comfort today!
Reduce Indoor Heat by Limiting Appliance Use
Minimizing the use of heat-producing appliances can help keep your home cooler during the summer, particularly when your air conditioner is out of commission. Appliances such as ovens, stoves, toasters, dryers, washers, vacuum cleaners, and computers generate considerable heat.
While these devices are helpful in colder weather, their heat output becomes a drawback during warm spells, especially when your cooling system is down. Avoiding these appliances can significantly decrease the heat buildup inside your home.
Utilize Indoor Plants for Natural Cooling
While this might not keep you cool in an air conditioner emergency, incorporating indoor plants into your home as part of the decor can naturally help to cool the environment. Varieties like areca palm, snake plant, and aloe vera add moisture to the air through transpiration, effectively lowering the indoor temperature.
Strategically place these plants around your home to optimize their cooling benefits. These plants not only improve the aesthetics of your space but also purify the air, contributing to a fresher and more comfortable indoor atmosphere.
Strategic Ventilation with Window Management
Effectively cooling your home in the summer involves leveraging the natural temperature variations between day and night. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) narrates that temperatures typically decrease at night, even in the height of summer.
Take advantage of these cooler temperatures by opening your windows in the evening, allowing the cool air to flow through your home. Conversely, close your windows during the daytime to exclude the warmer air, particularly those on the western side of your home, which are more exposed to the sun and can rapidly increase indoor temperatures.
Employ Sun Blocking Methods for Cooler Indoors
To mitigate the impact of the sun’s rays, primarily through windows that directly face the sun, merely closing them is not enough. It’s essential to stop sunlight from penetrating and heating your space. Improve your home’s capacity to remain cool by shutting curtains and blinds, which can greatly block and absorb solar energy. Additionally, using a reflective method like covering your windows with tin foil can effectively repel sunlight from your interior, helping maintain cooler indoor temperatures during the peak of summer heat.
Select the Optimal Attire for the Summer Heat
Choosing the right clothes for summer goes beyond just wearing less. According to National Public Radio, more exposed skin can result in quicker water loss from heightened evaporation.
Go for garments made from natural fibers such as linen or cotton, which help regulate body temperature and maintain hydration.
These fabrics are advantageous because they absorb sweat and reduce the rate of evaporation, preserving hydration longer. On the other hand, steer clear of tight clothing crafted from synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, as these can retain heat and raise your body temperature.
Conclusion
Contact a professional HVAC technician immediately if your air conditioner stops working in the warm months. In the meantime, the cooling techniques discussed in this article should be employed to manage indoor temperatures and avert heat-related health problems efficiently. To reduce the likelihood of unexpected air conditioner breakdowns, ensure you adhere to regular maintenance and confirm that your unit is properly sized for your space to prevent undue stress on the system.
Contact Modern Comfort for Expert HVAC Services
Modern Comfort provides top-notch heating and cooling solutions throughout Central Maryland, Southern, and Central Pennsylvania. Our team comprises highly qualified technicians skilled in delivering exceptional HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements. Each technician is professionally certified, thoroughly trained, and experienced, ensuring your HVAC system is serviced accurately and efficiently.
We pride ourselves on providing the region’s most competitive rates for HVAC services. Our maintenance services enhance your comfort, boost energy efficiency, and help reduce your home’s cooling costs. If you require an HVAC repair or a new system, we can recommend the optimal solution for your budget. We stand behind our work with a satisfaction guarantee. To book a service or receive a free in-home estimate, call Modern Comfort today.
You can click here to contact us now or call us at (410) 429-7252 (MD residents) and (717) 489-3939 (PA residents) to find out more! Click the link to view our service area.
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