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One of those scenarios that homeowners dread most — a hot day, with a little breeze, and suddenly the cold drops, and the A/C stops running. Once it happens, it’s time to spring into action. But what is the best recourse once the home A/C goes out? Here are a few steps to take to help keep cool, calm, and collected until it’s possible to get the A/C back up and running.

  1. Check the Thermostat

    2. The first place to look is the thermostat. Make sure the system hasn’t been accidentally flipped off of the “Cool” setting, or that the temperature hasn’t been set too high. If the system isn’t registering inputs or appears to have died, attempt to manually turn on the A/C.

  2. Close the Blinds or Shades

    3. To maintain a cool atmosphere inside, close the blinds, and draw the shades around the house. Blocking out the sunlight will help stave off the heat, and the shade will help keep the air from warming up from ambient heat.

  3. Investigate the Circuit Breaker

    4. A home’s A/C takes a lot of power to run, and could potentially cause a power surge. Check the main fuse box, and make sure that the fuse connected to the A/C wasn’t tripped. It may be possible to reset the fuse and return power to the A/C.

  4. Turn on the Fans, but Pause on the Windows

    5. Turning on fans around the house will help circulate the cold air inside, and potentially generate a helpful breeze. Some homeowners will jump to opening the windows as well, but it may be better to keep them closed — it all depends on what is happening outside. If it is hot and humid outside, with no breeze in the air, keep the windows closed and let the fans do the work. If there is a decent breeze blowing, and the humidity is low, opening the windows could help provide some cool relief.

  5. Get Plenty of Water and Ice

    6. It’s important to continue to stay hydrated once the A/C goes out. Drinking water will help regulate the body’s internal temperature and keep it cool. If there is a generous amount of ice available, it could be helpful to gather it in a large container, such as a casserole dish, and set it in a central location near a fan. If the windows are still closed, the melting ice will help create a cool breeze with the circulation of the fan, cooling down the space in the immediate vicinity.

  6. Call for Back-Up

    7. Once an A/C unit dies, it’s time to contact the professionals. Calling in a technician or service expert will get the underlying issue with the A/C diagnosed, and present the necessary next steps to getting the A/C back up and running.

If you’ve found yourself in the unlucky spot with your home’s A/C on the fritz, or if you’ve started to notice your A/C acting up — making strange noises, smells, etc. — reach out to the licensed professionals at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Cooling. With over 30 years of experience, the experts at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Cooling will be able to provide a quick response and determine the root of the problem. Give the experts at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Cooling a call today, at (815) 219-4323, or schedule from the convenience of your laptop or browser using their online scheduling portal.

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