When the air conditioner quits on a hot day, the discomfort sets in quickly. Warm air lingers, sleep gets harder, and daily tasks feel draining. While you’re waiting on replacing or repairing your AC, there are ways to keep your house livable in the meantime. Here are a few smart moves that take the pressure off until the cool air returns.
Shut Your Blinds and Curtains
Sunlight pours in through windows and turns rooms into ovens. Block that heat before it enters by keeping blinds and curtains closed during daylight hours. Focus on the windows that face east in the morning and west in the afternoon. If you have blackout curtains, use them. If not, layering standard curtains or hanging light-colored sheets can still help.
Keep Doors to Unused Rooms Closed
Warm air spreads quickly. Keep doors closed to rooms you’re not using to trap cooler air in the spaces you’re spending time in. This keeps the cooler areas from heating up faster and helps fans work more effectively.
Place Ice in Front of a Fan
Fill a mixing bowl with ice or frozen water bottles and set it directly in front of a fan. As the fan blows over the ice, it creates a cooler breeze. It’s a short-term fix, but it can help make a room feel more tolerable during the hottest part of the day.
Set Up a Cross-Breeze
Fans don’t cool the air, but they do keep it moving. If you place them strategically, they can push warm air out and pull cooler air in after the outside temperature drops. This works best in the evening or early morning when it’s cooler outside than inside. Open windows on opposite sides of the house. Place a box fan in one window facing outward to blow hot air out. On the other side, place a fan near the floor pointing inward to draw in cooler air. Just remember to close and cover the windows once the temperature starts to rise to keep the heat outside.
Do Chores Early or Late
Running appliances like dishwashers, ovens, or dryers in the middle of the day makes your home hotter. Try to cook meals, run the laundry, or clean in the early morning or evening when temperatures are lower. Use a microwave, toaster oven, or outdoor grill if you can. Avoid boiling large pots of water or baking during peak heat hours.
Sleep Cooler at Night
Swap out flannel or heavy sheets for cotton. Sleep with just a sheet if needed. Stick a small fan near your bed or try placing your pillowcase in the freezer for 10 minutes before bed. You can also use a damp washcloth on your neck or forehead to help cool your body down.
Seal Drafty Areas
Hot air leaks in through cracks around windows, under doors, and around attic openings. Use weatherstripping, rolled towels, or door draft stoppers to seal those gaps. Doing this slows the flow of warm air into the house and helps trap cooler air inside.
Insulate Your Attic Door
If your attic isn’t well-insulated, heat from the roof can seep into your home. Placing insulation or foam board over the attic access door can help reduce that heat transfer and keep indoor temperatures from climbing too fast.
Take a Cool Shower
If your body feels overheated, don’t wait for the house to cool down. A quick cool shower can lower your body temperature fast. Let yourself air-dry to keep the cooling effect going longer.
Wet Towels and Washcloths
Dampen a towel with cold water and drape it over your shoulders or place it on your feet. You can also soak a washcloth in cold water and keep it near your fan for extra cooling. This method helps your body stay comfortable even if the room temperature is high.
Make Smart Use of Your Basement (If You Have One)
Basements stay cooler because they sit underground. If your house has one, move activities down there during the hottest part of the day. Use it as a temporary living space until the AC is working again. Even just sitting downstairs for a while can offer a big relief from the heat.
Limit Electronic Heat Sources
Electronics like computers, TVs, and gaming consoles give off a lot of heat. Unplug them when not in use. If you’re working from home, consider using a laptop instead of a desktop, which produces more heat. Turning off unused lights helps too, especially incandescent bulbs, which give off more heat than LED ones.
Plants Can Help Too
Large indoor plants with broad leaves can help absorb some heat and offer a bit of natural cooling. Keep them near windows to block some sunlight. Hanging plants near entrances or on patios can also create shade and help reduce how much heat comes in through doors or large glass panes.
Call For AC Repair ASAP
Trying to manage the heat without AC can only go so far. If your air conditioner isn’t cooling like it should, calling a trusted AC repair team right away gives you the best shot at a quick and affordable fix. Waiting too long can cause more damage to the system, which may lead to bigger repair costs or even full replacement. The sooner you call, the sooner you can get back to a home that feels comfortable and safe.
Stay Cool With CW Suter Services
Don’t let a broken AC turn your home into a heat trap. CW Suter offers fast, reliable air conditioning repair and replacement services to get your home back to a comfortable temperature. Whether your system stopped working suddenly or you’ve been putting off a replacement, they will find out why your AC isn’t blowing cold air and help you cool off right away. You can also count on our 24/7 emergency services if it’s urgent. Call 712-252-3007 or visit us online to schedule a free, no-pressure quote today.