How to Cope While Waiting for Air Conditioner Repair

By Anne Fonda

First things first. If your AC is not working and you’re in the middle of a heatwave, call right now for help. Not sure who to call? Get a few quick tips on finding the best HVAC service near you.

Once you have an HVAC technician scheduled, it’s time to move on to the next steps. If they’ll be at your home in an hour, you may not even get through this list. But if they’re slammed, and it will be hours or even tomorrow before they can get to you, you might find this list of tips helpful.

If you grew up without air conditioning or have ever lived in a home or apartment without air conditioning, these may not be new to you.

Elderly people and young children can get overheated easily. They may not sweat as much, which can lead to an increased internal temperature. Anyone with a respiratory condition may also suffer if your air conditioning system is not working. Ask a neighbor if these loved ones can spend some time in air conditioning while you wait for the HVAC technician.

Older kids can play in the sprinkler or go down to the basement, if you have one, to stay cool.

If you’re still in your work clothes, change into lightweight summer clothes and sandals. It will make you feel cooler almost immediately.

If you’ve been without AC for a while, you will likely start sweating. Be sure to stay hydrated. Drinking ice water or holding a cold canned drink to your forehead and neck can also help you feel cooler.

If you’re really hot, consider using small ice packs or a zip lock bag of ice cubes wrapped in a towel. Place them under your arms, behind your knees, and on your neck. They can help you feel cooler while waiting for AC repair.

Don’t do this if the HVAC technician is due in under an hour. But if it will be several hours or even the next day, take a cold shower and don’t dry your hair with a blow dryer. You may want to take one before changing clothes and another one before bedtime.

While portable fans and ceiling fans don’t lower the temperature, they have a wind chill effect, making you feel cooler. Sit in front of a portable fan while you wait, or sit under a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan in the bedroom can also make it easier to sleep at night. Go ahead and put it on the highest level. Turn fans off when you leave the room.

Have a cold treat. It can make you feel cooler, and you deserve it, with all the stress you’re under.

Have you been making more and more HVAC repairs at a higher cost each time? Is your AC system 15 years or older? If you answered yes to either of these questions, when your HVAC technician gets to work, they may suggest that you start thinking about replacing your air conditioner or even your whole HVAC system.

Depending on your situation, this may be a more cost-effective solution than continuing to pay for repairs. Check out our Repair or Replace Guide for some tips on making this decision.

Whether you have an older HVAC system or a brand new one, it needs some TLC. Regular maintenance can help prolong the life of your system and catch small problems before they turn into big ones.

There are a couple of things you can do yourself. The first is to change the HVAC air filter every 30-90 days based on the filter quality. A clogged air filter can cause all sorts of problems. Learn more in our HVAC air filter replacement guide.

You can also help ensure proper airflow by keeping your outdoor AC or heat pump unit clear of debris and encroaching shrubbery or vines. Keep the area two feet around the unit clear of anything that might obstruct airflow.

For optimal system performance, schedule yearly air conditioner maintenance with your preferred HVAC company. If you sign up for an HVAC service plan, they will schedule maintenance on your cooling unit in the spring and your heating unit in the fall.

At an AC maintenance visit, they’ll check the unit for efficient operation, look for any signs of trouble, test the unit, and clean moving parts. They will also check your thermostat and indoor evaporator coil.

American Standard dealers have decades of experience providing HVAC repairs, HVAC maintenance, and HVAC replacement. We’re your partner for the life of your system. We’ll make the needed repairs to get your air conditioning running again and make product recommendations tailored to your home and your needs.

Cool comfort is only a call away.

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need. 

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.  

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

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