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us Home & property emergencies ac stopped working • air conditioner broke • cooling system failure • no air conditioning heatwave • indoor temperature rising • house overheating • apartment overheating • extreme heat indoors • too hot inside • heat illness symptoms • fan not safe above 90f • cooling center near me • call 211 cooling help • heat safety at home • baby overheating indoors • elderly overheating indoors • pet overheating indoors • power outage and heat • landlord ac repair urgent • cannot sleep in heat

What to do if…
your cooling system fails during extreme heat and the indoor temperature is rising

Short answer

Get people (and pets) into a cooler environment fast: create a shaded “cool room” and use active body cooling, and if the indoor temperature is very high, go to air conditioning (cooling center/library/mall/friend). Call 911 if anyone shows signs of heatstroke.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep windows open if it’s hotter outside than inside — it can raise indoor temperature.
  • Don’t rely on a fan if the indoor temperature is 90°F or higher; in those conditions, a fan can increase body temperature.
  • Don’t run the oven/stove “to get through dinner” right now — choose no-cook food if possible.
  • Don’t ignore heat illness signs (dizziness, nausea, headache, cramps, confusion).
  • Don’t attempt risky DIY electrical repairs or run unsafe indoor fuel-burning equipment for cooling/power.

What to do now

  1. Identify who needs protection first.
    Prioritize infants/children, older adults, pregnant people, anyone with chronic illness, and anyone living alone. Move them (and pets) to the coolest area immediately.

  2. Create a “cool room” (one room is the goal).
    Choose a shaded room with the fewest sunny windows. Close the door. Move water, medications, phone chargers, and essentials there so you can stay put.

  3. Stop heat getting in and heat being generated.
    Close blinds/curtains on sun-facing windows. Turn off non-essential lights and electronics. Avoid using heat-producing appliances.

  4. Cool bodies directly (this works even when the room won’t cool yet).
    Drink water regularly (small sips often). Use a cool shower, cool damp cloths, or a spray bottle on skin. Place cool cloths on neck/armpits/groin area, and rest.

  5. Use fans only if it’s cool enough indoors.
    If the indoor temperature is below 90°F, a fan can help with comfort and airflow. If it’s 90°F or above, don’t depend on a fan — switch to water-based cooling and/or leave for air conditioning.

  6. Decide early if you need to leave for A/C.
    If indoor temperature keeps rising, if anyone vulnerable can’t cool down, or if night temperatures won’t drop enough: go to an air-conditioned place (friend/family, library, mall, community center, designated cooling center).

    • To find local cooling resources, call 2-1-1 (where available) or contact your local health department or emergency management.

  7. Start the repair/escalation process without overheating yourself.

    • If you rent: notify your landlord/property manager in writing and keep a copy. Clearly state it’s extreme heat and the indoor temperature is rising, and whether a vulnerable person is present.
    • If you own: call your HVAC service/provider and ask about urgent/same-day options; if there’s a warranty/home protection plan, open a claim immediately.

  8. Know the emergency medical line.
    Call 911 for heatstroke warning signs: confusion, fainting, seizures, very high body temperature, hot/red skin with little sweating, or if someone is getting worse or not improving with cooling.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide on a full system replacement today.
  • You do not need to cool the entire home — focus on one cool room and safe body temperature.
  • You do not need to handle disputes with landlords/contractors in real time; a clear written notice plus safety steps is enough for now.

Important reassurance

Heat makes thinking and emotions feel more intense, and it can escalate fast indoors. Getting to a cooler space (even for a few hours) and cooling skin directly can meaningfully reduce risk.

Scope note

This covers the first hours. If extreme heat continues, you may need ongoing daytime refuge (cooling centers/air-conditioned buildings) and follow-up repairs, but those decisions are easier once you’re cooler and stable.

Important note

This is general information, not medical, legal, or engineering advice. If you think someone may have heatstroke or is deteriorating, call 911.

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