Your air conditioner was broken for days, and it’s finally been repaired. So how long can you expect it to take before your house cools back down to a comfortable temperature?
Ultimately, the answer depends on a few different factors, including how long your home has been without AC, the outside temperature, how well your home retains heat, and how low you’ve set the temperature on the thermostat. In our latest blog post, we’ll dive deeper into each factor to give you a better idea of what to expect after an AC repair.
If you’re still looking for AC repair in Fort Wayne, give us a call!
Factors That Affect Cooling Time After AC Repair
How Long You’ve Been Without an AC
One of the biggest factors in how long it’ll take to cool your home is how long you’ve been without cool air. The longer you’ve been without a cooling system, the warmer your home will have become, and the longer it will take to bring the temperature back down. If it’s just been a few hours, your home might still be relatively cool. In this case, it might only take an hour or so to cool your home back down.
If it’s been a day or longer, though, your walls, floors, and furniture will have absorbed heat, making it harder for your system to cool things down. In these cases, it may take several hours for your AC to make a noticeable difference. To speed up the cooling process, try closing blinds and curtains to block out sunlight, running ceiling fans to circulate air, and avoiding heat-producing appliances like ovens and stoves.
The Outdoor Temperature
The Fort Wayne area experiences its fair share of hot, humid summer days. If outside temperatures are soaring into the 90s or even higher, it’s naturally going to take longer for your home to cool down.
Humidity can play a role as well. High humidity levels make the air feel warmer and force your AC to work overtime to remove excess moisture. This can slow down the cooling process and make it seem like your system isn’t working as efficiently as it should.
How Well Your Home Retains Heat
Some homes naturally retain heat better than others because of insulation. This is great to have in the winter, but it can make your home harder to cool down in the summer. If your home is well-insulated, it may take longer for the AC to remove all the trapped heat, especially if your system has been off for a while.
Other homes with energy-efficient windows and good airflow, though, will probably cool down quicker. If your home still takes longer than expected to cool down, it might be worth checking for any insulation gaps or leaks that could be letting heat in.
The Temperature on Your Thermostat
The lower you set the temperature on your thermostat, the longer it will take to hit that temperature. If your home has been without AC for a while, it’s best to set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature—typically around 76-78°F—and let your system gradually cool things down. Cranking it down to around 65°F or so right away won’t make your AC work any faster; it will just keep your system running longer and using more energy.
For the quickest and most efficient cooling, set your thermostat to a comfortable but realistic temperature, then gradually lower it if needed.
Other AC Tips for Fort Wayne Residents
Staying cool in the Fort Wayne heat can be easier said than done. Your air conditioner provides much-needed cool temperatures, but if your system is dealing with issues or you’re looking for ways to keep your home cool while saving on energy costs, here are some helpful tips:
- Use fans: Ceiling and floor fans are great ways to keep air circulating without solely relying on your cooling system. Strategically placing fans throughout your home can help distribute cool air more efficiently. Ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down, while box or floor fans can be positioned near vents to help spread conditioned air more quickly.
- Close blinds and curtains: If sunlight is beaming straight into your home through your windows, it’ll raise the temperature in that room and make it harder on your air conditioner to cool the home down. Closing blinds and curtains, especially those directly facing the sun, can help block out heat and keep your home cooler. This is especially important during the hottest parts of the day, typically in the afternoon.
- Open windows: Typically, this should only be done on windy or cooler days. Opening windows on hot, humid days can actually make things worse and raise the temperature of the home. However, on cooler evenings or early mornings, opening windows can let in fresh air and help bring down indoor temperatures naturally.
Choose Flow-Tech Plumbing & Heating for AC Services in Fort Wayne
Face the hot summer heat with confidence! Give Flow-Tech a call for fast, reliable, and efficient Fort Wayne AC services! From AC repair and maintenance to installation and replacement, our team can help with all of your cooling needs.
