Nobody plans for their air conditioner to quit during a heatwave, but that’s exactly when it can happen, at the worst time possible. If your AC just gave up on the job, here are some thoughts on how to stay cool, stay smart, and avoid throwing good money after bad.
1. Don’t Rush Into a Big Repair Without Thinking
I’ve seen it plenty: an AC goes out, and in the panic to get cool again, someone drops $1,200 on a major repair — on a 17-year-old system. A year later, it fails again. That repair money? Gone.
Ask yourself:
- Is the unit over 12–15 years old?
- Have you already spent more than $500–1,000 in the last few summers?
- Does the current issue involve a compressor, coil, or control board?
If you answered yes to any of those, replacing might be the smarter move. Don’t let the heat trick you into a bad investment.
2. Temporary Cooling Options That Actually Work
If you’re waiting on a replacement or major repair, you still need to survive the heat. Here are options that won’t cost a fortune:
- Window units or portable ACs: $300–$600 can cool a living room or a few bedrooms well enough to sleep.
- Fans + strategic airflow: Place box fans near windows at night to pull in cooler air. During the day, block sun-facing windows with blackout curtains.
- Dehumidifiers: Humidity makes heat feel worse. Lowering the moisture level can make 82°F feel like 76°F.
Pro tip: Avoid running a bunch of fans in a room you’re not in — fans don’t cool the air; they cool people by moving air across your skin.
3. Avoid Heat Buildup in the First Place
Half the battle in a broken-AC summer is stopping heat from piling up inside your home.
- Don’t cook inside — grill outdoors or use a microwave.
- Run your dishwasher and laundry after dark.
- Keep blinds and curtains closed during peak sun hours.
- Replace incandescent bulbs (they give off heat) with LEDs.
Little things stack up fast when your cooling system’s out of commission.
4. Know When to Pull the Trigger on Replacement
If your AC’s dead and a quote for a repair is on the table, do a quick cost check:
- $1,200 repair on a 14-year-old system = risky money.
- $6,000 replacement with 10-year warranty = peace of mind and efficiency.
Now run the math:
- Energy savings from a new AC? Could be $400–$800/year.
- Repair avoidance over 10 years? Easily $2,000–$3,000.
- Total potential savings over a decade = $6,000+
Sometimes, buying new actually costs less than repairing old.
5. Don’t Wait Until Everyone Else is Calling
Peak summer = peak failure season. If your system’s struggling or you’re band-aiding it with fans and portable units, call early. Waiting until the next 100°F day means getting in line behind 50 other homeowners who waited too long.
Final Thought: Be Smart, Stay Cool
A broken AC in the summer is miserable — no way around it. But it doesn’t have to turn into a financial disaster. Know your system’s age, evaluate repair costs with a cool head, and take smart steps to stay comfortable in the meantime.
Need help figuring out if it’s worth fixing or replacing? I’m happy to give you a straight answer — no pressure, just facts.
Premier Mechanical – www.claimyourcomfort.com – 720.207.6812.