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Most residential AC systems will work reliably for at least 15 years with proper care. Unfortunately, however, they don’t always choose an opportune time to fail. They may quit in the middle of the summer, right when you need them most. When that happens, it’s easy to panic. To help avoid that, here is an overview of what to do when your AC fails unexpectedly.
What Is an AC Emergency?
Whenever your AC fails, you’ll probably think it’s an emergency. However, not every circumstance calls for immediate—and more costly—emergency repairs. To avoid unnecessary costs, it’s a good idea to know what constitutes a need for emergency AC service. That way, you’ll know whether to call for immediate service or wait until regular business hours for assistance.
Your AC breakdown qualifies as an emergency if your AC:
- Stops when it’s 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher outside
- Fails with elderly or ill residents in your home
- Emits a burning smell
- Starts leaking enough water to damage your home
- Trips the circuit breaker after at least one reset
- Makes loud, unexpected noises while running
If any of the above describes your situation, please call us immediately for emergency AC services. Otherwise, you can schedule a repair during regular business hours. In that case, we’ll still prioritize your call and do our best to get to you as quickly as possible. You should also turn off the power to your AC to ensure your safety while you wait.
What to Do While Awaiting AC Repair
After you’ve called for an AC repair, you’ll still have to try to stay cool while you wait for our technician. Here are some of the ways you can do that.
Stay Well Hydrated
The first step to staying cool is to drink plenty of water. When your body gets hot, it engages its natural cooling mechanism. That means you’ll begin sweating. As the sweat evaporates off your skin, it carries heat away from your body. That cooling process will work even better when paired with some of the tips we’ll cover next.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to become dehydrated when exposed to heat for an extended period. To avoid that, try to drink at least eight ounces of cold water every 20 minutes. For best results, drink the water in small portions, rather than all at once.
Open the Right Windows at the Right Time
If your AC fails, it isn’t always appropriate to open your home’s windows immediately. Before you do, check both the indoor and outdoor temperatures. If it’s significantly hotter outside than inside, opening your windows will exacerbate your situation. Instead, you should close your curtains and blinds to keep as much sun out of your home as possible. Once the inside temperature approaches the outside temperature, open your windows strategically.
Ideally, you should open windows on the first floor of your home only in areas that receive shade. The air outside those windows should be significantly cooler than elsewhere. If you have some fans available, you can also open a few windows on the second floor. In that case, place fans in those windows, pushing air out of them. Since heat rises, that will exhaust hot air and pull in cooler air through your shaded first-floor windows.
Leave Heat Generating Appliances Off
It’s also wise to avoid using any of your home’s major appliances while you await AC repairs. Items such as washing machines, clothes dryers, stoves, and ovens generate substantial heat within your home. Using them will exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Use Ceiling Fans if You Have Them
If you have ceiling fans in your home, you should use them at full speed while you await AC repairs. Before you do, however, ensure they’re rotating counterclockwise. That will ensure they’re pushing air downwards. The extra breeze will help your body eliminate heat via sweat evaporation. Still air can only absorb a limited amount of evaporated moisture, and once it becomes saturated, you won’t feel any cooler.
Leave Your Home if Possible
If all else fails and you can’t keep cool enough at home, consider leaving it if you can. Spend the hottest parts of the day in public spaces with working air conditioning. Don’t worry, though, we’ll coordinate with you to let you know when our technician will arrive at your home. That way, you can return to greet them and get the AC repairs you need.
Your Local Emergency AC Repair Specialists
Since 1964, Simmons Heating & Cooling has been the go-to provider of AC repair in Chesapeake, VA. Our team of HVAC technicians has decades of combined experience. They also have the skill to repair ACs of any make or model. Plus, we offer 24/7 emergency service for AC repairs that can’t wait.
We’re also a Better Business Bureau-accredited business with an A+ rating, and have held this distinction for over 45 years. So, when your AC fails and you need repairs quickly, contact Simmons Heating & Cooling and let us handle the rest.
