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

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Move people and pets toward cooler air now. Use direct body cooling while you arrange air conditioning, and call 911 if anyone has signs of heatstroke.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t stay in a warming room to finish chores, cooking, calls, or repairs.
  • Don’t keep windows open if it is hotter outside than inside.
  • Don’t rely on a fan if the indoor temperature is 90°F or higher; use water-based cooling and move to air conditioning.
  • Don’t use the stove or oven unless there is no safer option.
  • Don’t attempt electrical, HVAC, generator, or fuel-burning equipment fixes indoors.
  • Don’t ignore emergency signs such as confusion, fainting, seizure, loss of consciousness, or symptoms that are getting worse.

What to do now

  1. Move the highest-risk people first.
    Bring infants, children, older adults, pregnant people, people with chronic illness, anyone living alone, and pets into the coolest available space.

  2. Pick one room to control.
    Choose the shadiest room with the fewest sun-facing windows. Close the door. Bring water, medications, a phone, chargers, pet water, keys, and any urgent documents into that room.

  3. Block heat and stop making more heat.
    Close blinds or curtains on sunny windows. Turn off non-essential lights, computers, televisions, laundry machines, and other heat-producing devices. Avoid the stove and oven.

  4. Cool bodies directly.
    Sip water often. Use a cool shower or bath if safe. Put cool damp cloths on the neck, underarms, and torso, or mist skin with cool water. Rest and reduce movement.

  5. Use fans only in the safer range.
    If the indoor temperature is below 90°F, a fan may help comfort and airflow. If the indoor temperature is 90°F or higher, do not depend on a fan; focus on cool water on skin and moving to air conditioning.

  6. Leave early for air conditioning if the room keeps warming.
    Go to a friend, relative, library, mall, community center, cooling center, or other air-conditioned place if the indoor temperature keeps rising, someone vulnerable cannot cool down, or the home will stay hot overnight. To find local cooling resources, call 2-1-1 where available, check your local emergency management or health department, or search for your state or county cooling-center information.

  7. Send a clear repair message without overheating yourself.
    If you rent, notify the landlord or property manager in writing and keep a copy. Say the cooling system has failed during extreme heat, the indoor temperature is rising, and whether a vulnerable person is present. If you own, call your HVAC company or home warranty provider and ask for urgent options.

  8. Call 911 for possible heatstroke.
    Call 911 if someone is confused, faints, has a seizure, loses consciousness, has a very high body temperature, or is getting worse. Move them to cooler air and cool their body with cool water while waiting for help. Do not give them anything to drink if they are confused, unconscious, seizing, or not fully alert.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide on a full system replacement today.
  • You do not need to cool the whole home; focus on people, pets, and one safer space.
  • You do not need to solve landlord, warranty, contractor, or insurance disputes right now.
  • You do not need to make perfect plans for the whole heatwave before getting cooler.

Important reassurance

A failed cooling system during extreme heat is a real safety problem, not a personal failure. Moving to cooler air for even part of the day and cooling skin directly can reduce immediate risk while repairs or next steps are arranged.

Scope note

These are first steps for the first hours of a cooling failure during extreme heat. Later decisions about repairs, housing, landlord issues, medical care, or insurance may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not medical, legal, engineering, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. If someone may have heatstroke or is deteriorating, call 911.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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