I try to enjoy every season as they are, but fall can’t come soon enough! I’m over this Ohio humidity, and if you prefer a chill breeze over summer heat like me, then you know how crucial it is to have a suitably operating A/C. Accordingly, it is beneficial to know what steps to take if you uncover your air conditioning is poorly functioning. So, what do you do when your air conditioner is on the fritz and neglects to do its job appropriately? First off, try not to become overwhelmed by the situation. While a defective A/C unit can be aggravating, it is our job at Upper Arlington Heating & Air to ensure your air conditioning problems get fixed ASAP. So, there’s no need for any additional stress! Although, it will consistently prove beneficial to know what actions to take when in this irritating situation.
What Is To Be Done When My Power Goes Out?
If your power shuts down during Ohio’s toasty temps, you should know how to take care of yourself by minding your body temperature while waiting for your power to kick back on. Here are some options at your disposal:
- Stay hydrated, which is more of a must than an option! When you’re hot, you lose a fair amount of water through sweat, and you must take care to replenish it.
- Clothe yourself in cotton. Dressing in light material or the thinnest, loosest clothes you own will further help you beat the heat.
- Eat frozen foods. If your electricity is out, your frozen foods are melting within your freezer anyway, so you might as well indulge in a treat or two to cool yourself down.
- Remove your socks and shoes.
- Wet a towel or sheet in cold water and position it on your body while you sleep. A cold and damp washcloth is my go-to for a swift cool down, and it’s pretty effective!
- Avoid close contact with one another for long periods. While this may seem insignificant, sharing body heat will not support your efforts to keep cool, so keep that distance when possible.
- Another “weird” yet practical action is to relax on the floor; while not offering a comfy surface, especially when not carpeted, it can be cool to the touch and doesn’t trap heat the way your mattress will. Plus, heat moves upward; thus, the closer you are to the floor, the cooler you’ll be.
- Limit the sun shining into your household by closing curtains and blinds.
- Keep windows shut for as long as you can.
- Depending on how long you wait for your electricity to turn back on, you may have to prop them open at some point. Try to preserve the drier air within your home for as long as possible because the sun will warm up your home faster than a draft will cool it.
If you cannot beat the heat during the loss of power, you should try other alternatives, such as: going swimming or travelling somewhere with functioning electricity to cool off more effectively.
What Is To Be Done When My A/C Goes Out?
If your A/C abruptly stops, there are some actions you can take while you wait on our HVAC technicians to come to the rescue. To name a few:
- Look to see if your thermostat is set to the wrong temperature, heating your home instead of cooling it.
- Assess your ducts for dirt, debris, and blockages restricting adequate airflow.
- Clean up or replace your filter as needed. A dirty filter can cause your utility bills to rise as your A/C functioning falls.
- Examine your electrical panel for a tripped breaker.
When all else fails, give us a call. Upper Arlington Heating & Air can evaluate your unit and fix and replace your A/C more efficiently than any untrained person. So, call today at (614) 490-7507, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here! We are proud of our work in satisfying our customers and restoring comfortable temperatures within their homes throughout the hot summer weather!
