Ways to Cool Off When Your Air Conditioner Breaks

Ways to Cool Off When Your Air Conditioner BreaksFew things strike dread more than a broken air conditioner in the minds of desert dwellers. Thankfully, it’s a dry heat, but when the mercury soars over 100, even low humidity doesn’t matter that much.

Getting It Fixed

Undoubtedly, your first priority will be to get the A/C running again.

  • Check the circuit breaker and reset if necessary.
  • The air filter may be too dirty. Change it if it’s dirty.
  • The evaporator coil inside the air handler could be frozen. Let it thaw and contact your HVAC contractor. A frozen coil usually indicates a mechanical problem.
  • The thermostat isn’t working. Check the battery or turn the temperature way down. If it doesn’t start working, call an HVAC expert.

Keeping Cool

As you wait for the HVAC contractor to fix the broken air conditioner, try to stay cool by:

  • Making sure all the doors and windows are locked and the coverings closed. Locked doors and windows let in fewer drafts and your window coverings may block some of the heat.
  • Spending time in the swimming pool. Minus your own, use the backyard hose to cool yourself down. On a hot, dry day, water evaporatoring from your skin can drop your temperature enough to actually make you feel chilled.
  • Turning on the fans. To take full advantage of moving air, wet a wash cloth and place around your neck to drop body temperature. Some people refrigerate or freeze them first for maximum effect.
  • Turning off all the lights. Even LED bulbs let off some heat. Incandescent bulbs emit a lot of heat, and CFLs are next.
  • Drinking a lot of water. There is no substitute to hydrating with water. If you have pets, top their bowls off with water and add a few ice cubes.
  • Not cooking. Eat cold foods or use delivery, takeout, or pickup until the A/C is fixed. The less heat you create indoors, the more comfortable you will stay.

If you find yourself with a broken air conditioner in Yuma, contact the pros at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company immediately to get your system running again ASAP.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.