The summer temperatures in Austin are the worst when you’re stuck waiting for a repair tech to come out and look at your air conditioner. The heat is unbearable and you’ve got no working AC, what can you do to stay cool while waiting for the AC repair technician? Well, here are a few suggestions for staying cool when your air conditioner isn’t working:

Cover Your Widows

The hottest part of the day is when the sun is at its peak in the sky which is between the hours of 10am and 2pm. If you cover windows on the sunny side of the home you will cut a large portion of the heat transference that happens when the afternoon sun hits those windows and heats up the room even more than it already is. A heavy curtain or shade drawn will make your rooms feel noticeably cooler.

Use Fans to Cool Down

A couple of fans placed strategically around the room will create a breeze ad keep the air circulating which will make you feel cooler even if the temperature doesn’t change. If the air conditioner is not putting out cool air you should turn it off to avoid further damage and call for AC repair as soon as possible.

Fans do not cool the air in the room, they cool the around your body making you feel cooler. It helps to wipe your face with a cool rag and sit under the fan because the water evaporating on your skin cools you off too.

Avoid Heat-Generating Appliances

The last thing you want to do when it is hot inside is use appliances that generate heat such as a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer or oven. Using those appliances will put even more humidity in the air making it feel hotter and making you sweat even more. It is best to wait and use these appliances after the sun goes down and the temperature has dropped a little.

Take a Cold Shower

If you have a pool, a quick dip will keep you cool while you’re waiting for AC service. If you have no pool then a sprinkler or shower set to cold will also work to cool you down. Taking a cool shower lowers your body temperature temporarily and makes you feel cooler for a little while.

Wrap it Up

Another tip for cooling off includes wetting a T-shirt in cold water and wrapping it around your head like a turban. You can also put it in the freezer for 10 minutes for a little extra cooling effect. If you are sweaty already and don’t care about how your hair looks, wetting your hair and pulling it up helps a lot to cool you off. Body heat escapes through your head so having your hair wet and sitting under the fan will make you feel much cooler and more comfortable while you wait for service.

Get a Cold Drink

Cold, sweet tea or any cold drink also helps you cool down when it’s hot outside. Ice tea and lemonade are two popular drinks to sip during a Texas heat wave. Get a cold drink and a folding fan, prop your feet up and relax in style.

Having a broken air conditioner in the summer is a bummer, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer while waiting for a service tech to repair your system. It won’t be as cool as having air conditioning, but if you follow these tips you can bear the heat without it for a little while. ABA Heating and Cooling are HVAC experts in air conditioning repair in Austin and are known for their excellent service and quick response. Contact us today for AC repair and stay cool and comfortable all summer long.