How To Keep Cool with a Broken AC

Summer is a wonderful time of year; the warm weather allows us to enjoy so many activities that we here in Michigan can’t do for half a year or more. It’s important to keep cool during these activities, and more importantly, is keeping cool at home.

Preparedness and response initiatives that limit exposure during periods of extreme heat can reduce mortality. From 2004–2018, an average of 702 heat-related deaths (415 with heat as the underlying cause and 287 as a contributing cause) occurred in the United States annually.

At All Seasons Heating and Cooling, we recommend a central AC or at the very least a window unit to cool your home down on those hot summer days, but the question needs to be asked: what do you do if you don’t have access to either of those?

Be Diligent About Your & Your Loved Ones’ Health

First things first, heat is something that should be taken seriously 24/7 during the summer. It’s dangerous and not something to be taken lightly. Make sure no one is dehydrated, and if you are showing signs of heat stroke, get medical help and move somewhere cool immediately. Here are some signs of heat stroke:

  • Feeling unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place and drinking plenty of water.
  • Not sweating even while feeling too hot.
  • A high temperature of 104 degrees or above.
  • Fast breathing or shortness of breath.
  • Feeling confused.
  • A fit (seizure).
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Not responsive.

Cooling Yourself & Your Family

Drink Water

Staying hydrated is one of the most—if not the most—important things to do when battling the summer heat. Keep cold water on hand, and if your little ones get tired of water, try adding a popsicle!

Don’t Exercise

Now this may be music to some people’s ears, but do not exercise. Your risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion increases with physical activity.

Take a Cool Bath or Shower

Getting your internal body temperature down by taking a cool shower or bath will help in extreme heat. That’s why pools are so popular during the peak heat days of summer. Be careful of your health and mental state whenever entering the water, as drowning is a possibility.

Stay Downstairs

If your home has a lower level, especially one that is underground, spend the warmer portions of the day downstairs. You could even sleep down there! Heat rises, which means the lower you can go in a home, the cooler you will be.

Go Somewhere Air Conditioned

If you can, go to a store, local library, shopping mall, or movie theatre for a few hours and enjoy some good air-conditioned time. Make sure to go during the peak heat hours of the day.

Cooling Your Home Without a Central Air Conditioner

Use Fans

Use as many as you can. If your central AC unit or window unit isn’t operating, make sure you have fans—including ceiling fans—running throughout the home.

Avoid Using the Oven

Cooking at home and using ovens, air fryers, crock pots, and anything else that generates heat will only make the home warmer. With the majority of homes having their kitchen on the lower level, this will only add to the heat on the level that’s supposed to be the coolest. Remember, heat rises.

Keep the Sunlight Out

Keeping the shades drawn is a great way to prevent sunlight from warming up rooms you’d like to keep cool. If you have west- or east-facing windows, keep them closed with blinds or curtains drawn when the sun hits them. At night, open your windows and use window fans to bring cooler air inside your home.

What Is a Heat Emergency?

When your air conditioner goes out, it’s extremely uncomfortable! However, only extreme cases constitute a true emergency. Most families can use the tips above to ease that discomfort. We here at All Seasons Heating and Cooling consider a heat emergency to be when all of your AC units have failed and temperatures are expected to reach dangerous levels as defined by the National Weather Service.

Overall

At All Seasons Heating and Cooling, we want our customers and citizens of the Tri-Cities to stay comfortable and safe. Using the tips above can help in a situation where your air conditioner isn’t working. But remember, even with those tips, temperatures can reach dangerous levels. We always recommend having a professional All Seasons Heating and Cooling technician come out to make sure your central AC is in working order. Visit our air conditioner information page with any questions, or call (989) 710-9390">(989) 710-9390!