How To Stay Cool When The AC Goes Out
by Tyler Castle
4.6 min read
How To Stay Cool When The AC Goes Out
When the AC goes out, it’s usually at the worst of times, leaving us scrambling for alternative forms of relief. Luckily, you do have a couple options while you’re waiting for repairs. Take this opportunity to make some cooling optimization changes in your home so that the next time you lose power or your unit freezes up, you’re not stuck sweating it out at home.
- Naturally Lower Your Temperature
Take a Cold Shower
If you need some quick relief from the heat, a cold shower is one of the best options available to you. Even if you’ve lost power temporarily, you should still have plenty of refreshingly cool water available.
Use Menthol or Mint-infused Body Products
Switch out some of your regular lotions and body masks out for a few that are infused with menthol or mint to get a temporary cooling sensation. If you have some lightly scented or unscented lotions, add a small drop or two of peppermint essential oil to about a tablespoon of body lotion- or sunflower oil- and slather on.
Stay Hydrated
Proper hydration is essential when you’re trying to regulate your temperature. Stay hydrated so you can sweat more effectively. Without adequate water, your body will have to work harder to find spare water for sweat.
- Use Your Freezer to Stay Cool
Chill Your Sheets
Sheets aren’t really something you’d think about putting in your freezer, but it can actually provide some short-term relief when you’re feeling overheated. All you have to do is put your sheets in a plastic bag, like a clean grocery bag, and place them in a freezer until it’s time to use them. It’s important to use a plastic bag to make sure no moisture accidentally gets on the sheets. Your body will warm your bedding up after a few minutes, but it is some temporary relief from the heat.
Make Frozen Treats
Before air conditioning was the norm, people turned to sweet treats like ice cream, frozen ice pops, and snowcones to stay cool on hot days. Take this as another chance to get the family together and make something tart and delicious!
- Make the Most of Your Box Fans
Box fans are relatively affordable and can be used in many ways to keep your house cool while you wait for your AC unit to be repaired.
Create a Cross-ventilation System in Your Home
You can cool your home using cross-ventilation that is created by opening your doors and windows, and adjusting the size and location of the openings to ventilate different parts of your home. If you want to cool more of your home, we suggest that you force the air to take longer paths between inlets and outlets.
You can also create a cross-wind by using two standard fans. Place one facing outside of the window in the room you want to keep the coolest. Then, use the second fan to create airflow towards the first fan. Set up the second fan so it’s facing inwards and is either in front of a second window or pushing air into the room. This will help circulate any stale air and bring in fresher, colder air.
- Wake Up Early to Beat the Heat
Crack Open Your Windows
Early bird gets the worm! Wake up early to use the morning air to cool your home before it starts to heat up outside. Crack the windows a couple inches before 7am, and you should be able to direct some of that crisp morning air in your house. Once it starts to heat up, you can close the windows and lower the shades to keep things cooler. Or try setting up the cross-ventilation system up above.
Cook in the Morning
Kitchen appliances generate heat when you cook, so if your air conditioning is out, try to prepare everything in the morning so that you aren’t adding heat to your home when it’s hotter out. There are also a few no-cook meals you can make while you wait for the AC to be fixed, which is also useful for when the power is out!
- Small Changes to Optimize Cooling
Invest in Heat-blocking Curtains
Using blackout curtains are one of the cheapest ways to keep your home cooler during the summer. This will help reflect the sunlight and keep it out of your home. Blackout curtains can help reduce the amount of heat that comes through your windows by up to 24%. They also help you sleep a little better without the sun peeking through your blinds in the morning!
Change Your Sheets
Switching to cotton or linen sheets when it gets warm will allow your body to breathe easier. These fabrics also feel cooler on the skin at night compared to flannel or synthetic materials. Likewise, you should sleep in breathable fabrics to avoid getting overheated.
Unplug Electronics
Some electronics generate a bit of heat like your kitchen appliances. If you aren’t using them, it’s best to unplug them to reduce the amount of heat in your home. If you must have them on, be sure they aren’t near any sunlight and that they aren’t stacked on top of each other. It’s best to keep two to three inches of space between any electronics.
About Santanna Energy Services
Santanna Energy Services located in Austin, TX and Bolingbrook IL, is an Electricity and Natural Gas Provider for Residential, Commercial, Business and more. Founded in 1988 and have been in business for 32 years and growing!
Tyler is an experienced energy professional, having worked for Santanna Energy Services, for the past four years. He is passionate about renewable energy and believes that diversifying the energy grid is the key to a sustainable future. Tyler is dedicated to supplying consumers with the best possible energy solutions and works diligently to make sure that Santanna can deliver the highest quality service.
