No air conditioning? No problem.

The sweltering desert heat often requires A/C units to work overtime to keep your home cool in the summer. This can cause them to burn out. If your air conditioner goes out in the middle of summer, don’t panic! Here are some tips to help you keep cool while you wait for it to get fixed:

How to Stay Cool Without A/C in the Summer

Put sheets made from synthetic materials aside and stick to those made of natural fabrics like 100% cotton or linen. These fabrics are breathable, so they stay cooler by releasing the heat you generate throughout the night. Buckwheat pillows also help keep you cooler in the same way, since they also don’t hold onto your body heat.

Turn your ceiling fan to a higher setting and adjust it so it runs in a counter-clockwise motion during the summer. This creates a cooling breeze effect, but it’s only helpful if you’re in the room. A ceiling fan can make you, but not the room you’re in, feel cooler.

Drink cold beverages and apply a cold washcloth to your neck and wrists to help you cool down from the inside out. You should also wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and take cool showers instead of warm ones.

Prepare meals on an outside grill, crockpot, or with the microwave to avoid heating up the oven or stove, which will increase the temperature of your home. When you need to run appliances like the dryer or dishwasher, start them during the evening when it’s cooler. Also try to avoid blow-drying your hair and let it air dry instead.

If you have a floor fan, use a mister filled with water as you sit in front of a fan to give you a quick blast of cool. You can also set a bucket or bowl of ice directly in front of a fan so the air it blows becomes cooler.

Help Prevent Your A/C from Breaking Again

Once your air conditioner is fixed, take proactive measures to keep it from having to work so hard going forward. A great way to do this is by installing window shades. They block the sun, reducing heat – and your energy bill – and making your home easier to cool. Contact us at 877-260-6110 to learn more about the wide variety of state-of-the-art shades we offer.