How to get a good night sleep with broken AC

Get a good night sleep even with broken AC

Oh no! Your air conditioning has malfunctioned in the middle of a hot Garland, Texas summer. How in the world will you sleep at night?! Anyone who has tried to fall asleep in annoyingly warm temperatures knows what true frustration is. It’s simply not fair to be blindsided by a broken AC unit and be forced to discomfort.

Though, the good news is you may be able to avoid such discomfort. Believe it or not, there are tons of creative ways to cool a room without the help of an air conditioner. Here’s what you can do if you ever find yourself in a "broken AC" situation—some tips may be common sense, and some you may have never thought of:

1. CALL a trusted AC company!

You want to limit the amount of time without AC as much as possible. Call AC Repair Garland at (469) 229-7740 to get a technician to your home as soon as possible. You may still have to spend the night without AC, but one night should be it.

2. Windows and doors closed

Once you create your personal ice box, you’ll want to keep heat out. Thus, close all doors and windows. Also, cover the gap between the door and the floor, and close all blinds.

3. Make use of cooling fans

Fans are your best friends when the air conditioner is not working. Grab as many as you have in your home and turn them to full blast (or whatever is most comfortable).

4. Cotton sheets, no comforter

Cotton sheets are the most breathable. They will accept the airflow throughout the room and keep you cool while sleeping. In warm conditions, you can ditch the comforter.

5. A bag of ice in front of the fan

With at least one fan in place, fill a bowl or a plastic bag with ice and place it in front of the fan. You’ll be amazed by the cool, misty spread throughout the room.

6. Give yourself the cold treatment

Drink cold beverages. This will cool off your internal temperature. In addition, wet a cloth or a rag with ice water and place it over your forehead.

7. Turn on exhaust fans

The exhaust fan in your bathroom can make a difference. Turn it on and leftover heat within the room will be sucked into the fan.

8. Open windows if wise

Maybe summer is transitioning to fall and the night temperature is fair. If this is the case, you can open windows and let the fresh air in. If it’s breezy outside, you can drape a towel over the window to create a controlled breeze.

9. Freeze your sheets

Place your bed sheets in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes and you’ll benefit from a cozy, heat-free bed zone.

10. Freeze a water bottle

Freezing a water bottle and placing it at your feet while you lay in bed is a good idea.

11. Create a cross breeze

If you have multiple fans, you can place them strategically to create a cross breeze. Place them at each corner or side of the room. A single fan can be placed directly across from an open window to accomplish this as well.

12. Cool your pulse points

Pulse points (neck, wrists, toes, etc.) will cool your body quicker. Ice packs or cold towels over these points will make a considerable difference.

13. Sleep alone

A night without AC may call for a nigh without your significant other. Two people in one bed prevents airflow and enhances body heat. Thus, it wouldn't be a bad idea to sleep alone for a night.

14. Take a cold shower

Before you hit the hay, take a cold shower. This will lower your body temperature as well and get your mind off your broken AC.

15. Bag of rice

If you forgot to turn on the icemaker and are out of ice, you can get creative by pouring rice into a plastic bag, or even a sock, and stick it in the freezer for an hour or so. Once frozen, you’ll have yourself a self-made ice pack.

We hope this helps you get through the night. Again, AC Repair Garland is at your service when dealing with broken AC. Call us, visit our website—www.acrepair-garland.com—and our blog for helpful HVAC tips.