When the weather is warm, it is not a convenient time for your cooling system to need repairs. Luckily, San Diego, CA, does receive comfortable weather throughout the year. Nonetheless, if you need to find ways to stay cool while you are waiting for your air conditioner to get repaired, here are seven tips to consider.
1. Stay on the Ground Floor
Heat rises, so if your house has more than one floor, while you are waiting for repairs, consider hanging out on the ground floor. The evenings tend to feel warmer upstairs even though the sun has already set or is setting. This makes the ground floor more comfortable. You might consider sleeping downstairs as well. In the evening, you can open your windows to allow the cooled off air to make its way inside. Often, in the absence of an air conditioner, the fresh air is a great substitute. The fresh air allows the old air to flow out, which can improve the indoor air quality. Additionally, it gives your home the opportunity to cool off overnight.
Since the fresh air is free, you can cool off your residence and wake up to a comfortable temperature that could last into the afternoon.
2. Cover the Windows
The amount of sunlight that enters a home through the windows determines how warm it is going to get inside. Therefore, you are encouraged to cover your windows. You can purchase specialty shades or curtains that get the job done. Shutters are another option. All three are available in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. They are often manufactured from fabric, wood, or steel as well as aluminum or vinyl. This is a great DIY project if you have some extra time on your hands and if the windows are easy to reach.
Your goal is to block as much of the sun’s rays from entering your house as possible. Window coverings cut off the amount of extra heat that is going to be created inside while you are waiting for your AC system to be repaired.
3. Install a Ceiling Fan
Another DIY project you might consider while you are waiting for your air conditioner to be repaired is installing a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan is great for circulating the air. Its purpose is different from a cooling system. The fan does not produce cool air, but it does keep the airflow moving. By preventing air from becoming stagnant, industry professionals have found that the indoor air can feel up to four degrees cooler inside. A ceiling fan is also energy-efficient. So, if you are interested in cutting down some energy costs, this is a route worth taking. Then, when the AC unit is working again, you can combine the two methods to keep cooling off your residence during the warmer days.
Ceiling fans can be installed in every room even if you already have a cooling system built into the space. Since fans are energy-efficient and not terribly difficult to install, you will get a return on your investment rather quickly. Plus, you can be comfortable indoors.
4. Adjust Your Cooking Schedule
Everyone has to eat. In the summer, though, you have to make choices about when and where you cook. In San Diego, if you have a yard, this is the best time to fire up the grill and cook outside. If you need to use the stove or oven, consider cooking before the sun reaches its peak or when the sun begins to set. For those times that you cannot avoid cooking even though it is warm outside and your AC system is not operational, opening a couple of windows is a must. This will at least allow the heated air to escape outdoors. By opening a window, you are preventing the indoor temperature from becoming even warmer. You are also letting out any smoke created by cooking. That smoke will travel throughout your home, and it carries heat. So, if the heat remains inside, the rest of your house will experience the cooking odors and some of the newly produced heat.
5. Go Outside
When your air conditioner is not functioning, consider spending additional time outside. There are times when it is cooler outdoors than indoors, so venture out to cool off. This is a great opportunity to take the dog for a walk, play with your kids outside, or sit outdoors with your spouse. If you are going to hang out in the yard, open the windows, too. Opening the windows, as mentioned before, accomplishes several tasks. It allows the stagnant air from the inside to circulate. As the outdoor air begins to cool off, it will find its way inside. The fresh air will help the inside temperature of your residence to drop by at least a couple of degrees.
6. Limit the Use of Lights
Summer days are warmer because the days are longer, thanks to the length of time the sun spends out. Since the days are longer, you are encouraged to use the lights of your home less. Even though light bulbs are small, they are still giving off heat. The more space they illuminate, the more space they are heating even by just a degree or two. Since you are waiting for the AC to be repaired, consider sacrificing some artificial lighting while enjoying the natural light of the sun. Plus, by doing so, you will be using less energy.
7. Insulate Your Home
Another DIY project you might consider completing while you wait for your air conditioning system to get fixed is insulating your house. The homes of today are designed and built to be sealed-off structures. They are built this way because the focus in real estate is energy efficiency. This means that there are no cracks or crevices that allow the indoor air to escape or the outdoor air to make its way inside. The energy efficiency of today’s properties is a plus. Just remember to open a window every so often to allow for some natural air circulation.
If you own a home that is older, take a look around and see if you can spot any crevices or cracks that may be allowing the indoor air to escape. A common culprit is the windows. Today’s windows are also manufactured to be energy-efficient through more than one pane. If you are not in the market to replace your windows at this time, check the window frame. The frame can become warped over time due to moisture and the amount of heat it receives. Sealing off any cracks is great for insulation. Houses that have a basement or attic will require insulation in those rooms. Heat can easily find its way into a residence from either of those two spaces. Cool air can also escape through the attic and basement.
If you are in need of air conditioner repairs or energy efficiency advice in San Diego, CA, give Ryan Refrigeration, Heating, Air, & Solar a call today. We offer heating, cooling, and ductless mini-splits services as well.