You likely rely on an air conditioner to keep your family cool and comfortable during the warm months of the year. However, AC units can break despite regular care and maintenance, resulting in sweltering and unpleasant living spaces. Here are a few ways to keep cool if your AC breaks.

3 Tips for Staying Comfortable When the Air Conditioner Is Broken

1. Close All Windows & Coverings

If the sun is shining throughout the day, it’ll pour a significant amount of heat through the windows of your home. Minimize this heat by closing all window coverings, including curtains, blinds, shades, and shutters. You should also keep the windows closed until the sun starts to set—letting them stay open will bring in more heat, especially if it’s humid or there isn’t wind. After dusk, open the windows and let the cooler outside air circulate throughout the home.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

When you get hot, your body releases heat by expanding blood vessels close to the skin’s surface—this is why the skin reddens when you’re warm. When the temperature outside the body is also hot, blood vessels are slower to expand, which traps heat and causes dehydration. Keep the inside of your body cooled off and well-hydrated by sipping water throughout the day.

3. Avoid Using Large Appliances

While the air conditioner is out of commission, refrain from using all heavy appliances, like stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and large light fixtures. These machines generate a significant amount of heat, which will raise your home’s interior temperature. For mealtime, grill outdoors, order takeout, or prepare cold dishes, like salads and sandwiches, until the AC is fixed.

If your unit is broken, call the team at Windward Air Conditioning on Maui, HI. These professionals have helped residents maintain their cooling systems since 1996. During the appointment, the technician will examine your AC, diagnose the issue, and discuss ways to fix the problem. They’ll even install a new system, if necessary. To get more information about their services, visit the website or call (808) 242-1144.