Dealing With a Broken AC Unit on a Hot Day

October 14, 2016

Broken AC on a hot day is every homeowner's worst nightmare.

Having your air conditioning unit stop working on one of the hottest days of the year is awful. Unfortunately, it happens to hundreds of homeowners each year, leaving occupants of these households stuck dealing with the sweltering heat. For this reason, it's always a good idea for homeowners to know what steps they should follow in the event that their air conditioning units stop working in the middle of a hot summer day.

Circulate Air as Much as Possible

As soon as the AC kicks out, the most important thing is to make the most out of the cool air that remains in the home. This means taking the time to ensure that all windows are closed and that fans are circulating. It can also be helpful to shut the doors to various rooms in the home, particularly rooms that aren't often used.

Cover Windows During the Day

At night, temperatures may drop enough that it makes more sense to open the windows and get a nice cross breeze going throughout the home rather than keeping them closed. However, as soon as the sun comes back up, it's generally best to close the windows and cover them up with thick sheets, towels, or blackout curtains. This is especially important for windows facing the sun. The fewer rays that make their way into the home, the less the indoor temperature will rise.

Make Creative Use of Ice Cubes

For those who have access to large box fans or stand-up oscillating fans, it's a good idea to place a tub of ice behind one of these fans. This way, the cool air coming from the ice will be blown into the space, creating a cooling effect for those nearby.Keep the ice cool for as long as possible by placing it in a foam cooler.

Contact an HVAC Professional

Of course, it's also wise to contact an emergency air conditioning repair company that services the Cleveland area. Many of these companies are able to respond same-day to these types of calls, so this can be a great way to get one's AC back up and running in no time. By having a reliable HVAC professional come out to the home, it's possible to reduce the amount of time spent without air conditioning and thus reduce the suffering in the process!

A digital thermostat mounted on a wall displays the current temperature as 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
March 3, 2026
Cleveland homeowners improve indoor air quality, water purification and filtration, emergency power, comfort control and more with 2026's top home improvement accessories.
Water being poured into a clear glass, creating bubbles in the water, on a light blue background.
February 15, 2026
Do you know that many Northeast Ohio municipalities’ drinking water contains impurities and contaminants? Learn how to purify and filter your water in your home.
February 3, 2026
One of the most frequent questions we're asked by Cleveland area homeowners is, "When should I upgrade my home's electrical panel? Here are 7 important signs.
Show More