When your AC is down and a technician can’t arrive for hours, these temporary cooling tips can keep your home bearable—especially during a heat wave.
1. Use Fans Strategically. Ceiling fans and box fans don’t cool the air, but they create a wind‑chill effect that makes you feel cooler. Set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in summer. Place box fans in windows to pull in cooler night air and exhaust hot daytime air.
2. Block Out Sunlight. Close curtains, blinds, and shades during the day. Sunlight entering through windows is a major heat source. Blackout curtains are especially effective.
3. Create a Cross‑Breeze. Open windows on opposite sides of the home to create airflow. At night, use window fans to bring in cool air and exhaust warm air.
4. Reduce Internal Heat Sources. Avoid using the oven, stove, and clothes dryer. Turn off lights and electronics that generate heat. Cook outdoors or use a microwave.
5. Use Evaporative Cooling. In dry climates, a bowl of ice in front of a fan can provide a localized cooling effect. Damp towels on the skin also help.
6. Relocate to the Coolest Room. If the heat is dangerous, move to the lowest level of the home (heat rises) and stay hydrated.
These are temporary measures, not a replacement for professional repair. To determine if your situation is urgent, see emergency vs. wait. For the underlying causes of the failure, see common AC breakdown causes. For the full action plan, see what to do when your AC stops working. And to prevent future failures, follow our prevention guide.