What to do When Your AC Is Broken

When the height of summer hits and you need to cool down your house, the last thing you want is warm air blowing out of your AC. Or maybe your air conditioner won’t turn on at all, causing a complete system failure. No matter what the problem is, it can feel like an emergency. 

Rest assured, the team at Rowell’s Services is always here to help with all of your air conditioning repair needs. We also have some pro tips on what to do when AC goes out to try to fix the problem while staying as cool and comfortable as possible.

The first step is to see if something happened with your air conditioner’s power source. Double-check any outlets to look for damaged cords or issues with the power source. Next, go to your circuit breaker box and make sure nothing tripped. A tripped circuit breaker isn’t cause for alarm, but if it keeps happening, you have an issue with your electrical load and may need an electrical panel upgrade or an intervention with your AC.

Look Over Your Thermostat Settings

It’s possible someone changed your thermostat settings and forgot to tell you. Or you could have lowered it to get more cool air relief and inadvertently changed the entire settings. Verify that you have set the settings to p.m. or a.m. as intended. If your thermostat uses batteries, swap them out for a fresh set and see if that changes the problem.

Change Your AC Filter 

Your AC filter is usually out of sight and out of mind, but it can make a significant impact on your home. When your air conditioner is too clogged, it can prevent cool air from filtering through your home. In extreme cases, it can also shut down your system altogether. Fortunately, an AC filter is a simple, inexpensive fix for homeowners. Aim to change yours out about every one to three months, or according to the instructions in your manufacturer’s manual.

Move Objects Away from Vents

Your air conditioner may be working fine, but the cool air isn’t exiting the vents and cooling down your home. Look to see if you accidentally pushed furniture or boxes up around your vents. It could fix the problem. While you’re looking over your vents, go ahead and wipe them down or use a vacuum to remove visible dust to get them as clean as possible.

Turn off Your Air Conditioner 

If you can’t find any issues with your AC, but it’s not working, go ahead and turn it off. You’ll avoid ongoing damage and keep your home safe while waiting for a service repair. If possible, jot down a few notes about anything unusual that has been going on with your air conditioning for the last few days. It will provide your AC repair technician with as many clues and information as possible to assess the problem.

Schedule an AC Repair

It’s time to enlist help from your expert HVAC and AC technicians. To assess what’s going on and identify the root cause of the problem, call Rowell’s Services right away. We’ll advise you on whether you need an AC repair or a replacement, and we’ll go over your options and upfront costs. For example, if you’re facing a costly repair or your AC is over 10 years old, a new installation may be the best option because it will be more cost-effective in the long run.

Use Fans Throughout Your Home 

If you’re trying to figure out how to cool house when AC it out (or your heat pump), turn to your household fans. They can be effective at moving air through your home and keeping you cool. In an especially hot situation where you can’t get relief, you could spray down a lightweight sheet and place a fan in front of it. Although it won’t cool down the air in your home, the fan will evaporate the moisture to help you stay cool.

Stay Hydrated While You Wait for an AC Repair

It’s important to take care of yourself while you wait for an AC repair. Stay hydrated with electrolyte drinks and avoid losing valuable nutrients or overheating. You’ll also feel better as you wait and have more energy to deal with the problem.

Take a Cold Shower

A cold shower can immediately cool down your core temperature and make you more comfortable. Put on light-weight clothes and stand in front of a fan. Using a cold spray bottle to occasionally spray your neck or face can also be helpful.

Move Your Cooking Outdoors

If you’re trying to figure out how to cool down house when the AC is broken, there are activities you can avoid. Move your cooking outdoors and to the grill instead of using your oven and stove, cook outdoors and on the grill. Better yet, go out to eat if it’s in your budget and enjoy the cool, cold air conditioning for a reprieve from your own broken AC. The team at Rowell’s Services will arrive as soon as possible to fix your air conditioning and cool down your home.

Call Rowell’s Services for Fast AC Repair or Installation

Get the cool air and relief you deserve. How long does it take to cool house after an AC repair? After repairing your AC, you can anticipate immediate relief. Every unit and setup is different, but your central AC should cool a 4-bedroom home by about 10 degrees within a few hours. The team at Rowell’s Services will arrive as soon as possible to cool down your home and get everything back in working order.

If you need Northfield AC Repair & Installation, schedule your appointment or emergency AC service today!