It’s a moment you never want to deal with—you’re in the middle of a scorching summer day when your AC quits working. Whether it needs to be replaced or just requires a simple repair, you’ll have to find a way to make your home bearable while you wait for an HVAC technician to come to the rescue. The guide below shares a few tips for cooling your home—and yourself—while the AC is on the fritz.

3 Tricks to Stay Cool While You’re Waiting for an HVAC Technician

1. Keep Your Body Cool

One surefire quick fix is to place a cool, damp towel around your neck. Put a few extra damp towels in the freezer and swap them out whenever you need a refreshing burst of cool. A periodic cool shower will refresh you, too. You’ll probably be sweating more as well, so make sure you’re consuming enough water to avoid dehydration.

2. Block the Sun

As sunlight streams through your windows, it creates a greenhouse effect, raising the temperature indoors. To reduce this, close any blinds, shades, or drapes in your home. For windows without treatments, consider hanging light-colored sheets or towels to reflect the sunlight. If you have to spend a night without AC, consider opening the windows once the night air has cooled.

3. Utilize Fans

Moving air provides relief and helps sweat evaporate off your skin so you’ll feel cooler. Make sure all your ceiling fans are running counterclockwise so they pull hot air upward and circulate cooler air. If you have portable fans, position them throughout your home to create a continuous breeze. To amplify the chilling effect, you can also set bowls of ice in front of the fans to help tide you over until the HVAC technician cavalry arrives.

If your AC goes out in the middle of a hot day, don’t panic—the HVAC technicians at Alan’s Mechanical Services can help. Based in Pell City, AL, for over a decade, they serve businesses and homeowners throughout St. Clair County with a range of HVAC services. Their licensed and bonded experts can repair AC and heating malfunctions, install new units, and perform routine tuneups. To schedule service, call (205) 338-1480 today.