When Your AC Breaks Down in The Summer

Couple sitting on bench sweating and drinking water.

It’s never fun when your air conditioner (AC) breaks down in the summertime. Furthermore, summer is the busiest time of year for HVAC professionals. You might not be able to have someone come and fix your problem immediately. Don’t worry, we here at Prestige Air Heating & Cooling, LLC have tips for you in case your AC goes out.

Furthermore, we can offer suggestions for reasons as to why your AC may have gone out. Our HVAC experts can also prevent any issues from occurring with your AC.

Cooling Down Your House

While it is not ideal for your AC unit to go out, sometimes it just happens. When this is the case, you will need cooling down methods, especially during hot Jersey summers.

Use Fans

Running fans while your AC is out is one of the most effective ways to cool your home. If you have ceiling fans, run them with the airflow blowing downward. That will create a breeze in whatever room you are in, cooling you down.

At night after the hot sun goes down, you can place box fans in your windows. This method pulls in cool air from the outdoors and brings it inside. However, make sure you close your windows as soon as you wake up to keep any cool air trapped inside.

Cooling Yourself

If you still feel too hot with fans, there are other ways to cool yourself down. You can lightly dampen your clothes, which will provide a cooling effect for your whole body. Another way of doing this is placing a damp cloth around your neck.

When it is hot inside of your home, you need to hydrate yourself. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water to offset any water you are losing from sweat. Iced water may also provide an extra cooling effect.

Eliminate Indoor Heat

When your AC is out, you should avoid using appliances like the oven and dishwasher. These appliances increase the heat inside of your home. While it may be inconvenient not to use these appliances, it helps reduce heat. Instead, you can use your microwave or toaster oven to reheat your food quickly.

Reduce Outdoor Heat

One of the best ways to prevent excess heat from coming into your home is to use black-out curtains. These thick drapes prevent the hot sun from pouring into your home. Invest in high-quality curtains, as they can be a life-saver in the event your AC fails!

Why Is My AC Not Working?

Now that you have methods of keeping cool if your AC fails, it is also essential to learn the common reasons why it might have failed.

Dirty Filters

When your AC filters become clogged with dirt and debris, it becomes more difficult for your system to produce airflow efficiently. Furthermore, it causes your unit to run harder, which increases your energy bills.

Refrigerant Leakage

Refrigerant is what helps remove the heat from your home and dispel it outside. If your system is having issues with refrigerant, such as a leak, you may notice that your AC is not working as it should. There could be hot air blowing out, or you may smell a chemical odor when running.

Bad Wiring and Electrical

Another common summertime issue is faulty wiring or electrical. Fuses often blow, or you could have a bad circuit breaker. Either way, this results in your AC system not working correctly. If you have your AC on and you hear nothing running, chances are there is no electrical current flowing.

Malfunctioned Thermostat

Another common issue is the failure of your thermostat. The thermostat plays a vital role in regulating the temperature of your home. If it fails, your AC can blow out incorrect temperatures. This can make people think that their whole system failed, when it is just a single component!

Schedule Regular Maintenance With Prestige Air Heating & Cooling, LLC

Instead of waiting until your AC is not working, what if we told you that there was a way to avoid all of these summertime issues? Well, there is a way you can prevent these problems! Call Prestige Air Heating & Cooling, LLC today to set up a routine maintenance session. By having your HVAC checked on before summer, you can prevent any sudden failures. Give us a call at (973) 755-2210 to set up your session today.