This When You Learn How To Cope

[Long Mike]

My AC has been giving me trouble since last Thursday. I heard a bearing inside the house start squealing and knew it was just a matter of time before the blower fan seized up. I immediately called the pros, but they can't get here until tomorrow morning. Well, the AC heaved its last breath today, and locked up. Luckily I heard the motor humming, I hope I shut it off before I smoked the windings

.

My wife and I grew up in deep south Louisiana before there were air conditioners. Yes, we are that old, and yes we were that poor. Instead of checking into a hotel we have decided to go cajun style. Fans only. We made it through the day quite comfortably, but this evening really sucks. As I type this, it's eight-five degrees in the house, the same temperature as it is outside. Perhaps I should stay awake for a couple of more hours until the outside temperature drops below this inside temperature, then open a few doors and windows. Am I complaining? NO! We will get through it with nothing more than an uncomfortable night's sleep.

On the other hand, my heart goes out to all of those thousands of people on the East Coast who now have no power and blistering temperatures to contend with. I'm lucky, they are not.

[Jake P]

Sorry to hear that Mike. We had our A/c go out mid August last year while we were having record triple digits here in TX. The Thermostat was reading 90 at night and outside was roughly 88. We had to go to my in laws because my kids were so little (3 months & 1 1/2). They werent comfortable and they let us know. Fortunately it was only out for about 20 hours and was fixed. I hope yours gets fixed fast and doesnt cost an arm and a leg. Keep cool!

[tipptruck1]

Mike I don't know if you have ever been to Iowa during late summer. It gets way bad there. 90 plus temps with 90 plus humity for weeks at a time. Even during the night. It seemed like A/C never worked. So I kind of know what your going through. I use to move to the basement during that time. You could try that. Even now I spend all my time in the basement. It has convinced me when I can afford to buy a home. I will build one almost under ground. Its 60-70 all year in a basement.

I did run out of lp once during the colest part of winter. That sucked even more. To top it off it was a sunday morning. No lp delivery in till monday. It was 40 in the house. The only reason I woke up was the smoke alarm was going off. It had a safty setting in it if the temps droped below a set degree. We had to unplug it so we could get some sleep. I grabed my -20 rated sleeping bag and went back to sleep.

I hope you get it fixed fast. Summer just started and it will only get hoter.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

You know, I can deal with a lot. Not much bugs me....

That being said....

I LOOOOOVE MY AC!

I would be a very, very unhappy person without it. I don't even like my house getting over 76 during the day. I need to walk inside and feel that cool blast of air. If I'm out camping or something, fine. But when I'm at home, believe me when I say the air conditioning will be cranked unless it's in the 70's or under outside.

[Lund Explorer]

I can't imagine living in a part of the country that requires a/c to survive. We may get a week or so during the year were it helps a bit, but I don't like it much. Too hard to go outside (fishing) if I evr got used to it.

My cure is two fans. One blowing in the cooler night air with the other blowing out the warmer inside air.

[Hyrule Bass]

atleast you have the power to run a fan right now, i cant even do that at home. i was looking forward to coming to work and dreading going back home today. atleast i got a/c and internet here at work. i seriously doubt im going to have power when i get back home though...

[Raider Nation Fisher]

That's rotten homie.

Lund Explorer, you get used to it after awhile. I never get to do anything in the ac. From the time I hit the jobsite in the morning til I get home I don't use or get ac. Like I said you eventually get used to doing without. Now my wife on the other hand, she complains when it gets over 78 in the house.

[Lund Explorer]

atleast you have the power to run a fan right now, i cant even do that at home. i was looking forward to coming to work and dreading going back home today. atleast i got a/c and internet here at work. i seriously doubt im going to have power when i get back home though...

Sorry to hear that. We used to suffer power outages until I found the one word cure - Generator.

Probably won't find one right now under your conditions, but I would urge everyone to seriously consider buying one. The cost of one freezer full of food would buy you two generators big enough to run the critical items in the average home.

[Lund Explorer]

That's rotten homie.

Lund Explorer, you get used to it after awhile. I never get to do anything in the ac. From the time I hit the jobsite in the morning til I get home I don't use or get ac. Like I said you eventually get used to doing without. Now my wife on the other hand, she complains when it gets over 78 in the house.

My charming (?) spouse can't seem to live without a/c either. I just move into the other half of the house where my office is and close off the vents. It must work, because the dog moves right along with me into the spare bedroom every night.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

I feel your pain. I've been workin on my stepsons ac for the past few days. It decided to quit right as temps reached record levels (109 on sat and 103 on sun). Same thing bad fan motor. I had to replace the motor , capacitor, coil, and fan blade. Finally it is back up and running and hopefully all is well.

[slonezp]

I'm the guy stuck listening to all you people whine. "I'm too hot...I'm to cold..." I was in a commercial kitchen last thursday that was 112 degrees. It was down to 91 before I left and almost felt refreshing.

Long Mike, A word of advice. Many residential companies pay their guys comission based and they'll try and sell you everything. If you can, I'd recommend getting more than 1 estimate. Also look for a comapny that has been in business for awhile.

Sent you a PM

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I'm the guy stuck listening to all you people whine. "I'm too hot...I'm to cold..." I was in a commercial kitchen last thursday that was 112 degrees. It was down to 91 before I left and almost felt refreshing.

Long Mike, A word of advice. Many residential companies pay their guys comission based and they'll try and sell you everything. If you can, I'd recommend getting more than 1 estimate. Also look for a comapny that has been in business for awhile.

Sent you a PM

I'll see your commercial kitchen and raise you an MCC room at at least110 or more because of the heat generated by the MCC and switchgear, while wearing a full body arc suit.

[slonezp]

Sucks to be you

[Long Mike]

Thanks for the sentiments guys. The wife and I both slept soundly last night, thanks to a ceiling fan and a 24" floor fan. I used the same AC company that originally installed the heat pump nineteen years ago. They arrived first thing this morning, and $530 later our house is cool again.

Lund Explorer, I do have a generator. We have ice storms here also. Once bitten, twice shy. Several years ago we lived off the generator for six days.

[00 mod]

Apparently I am a wuss! I can't remember living without a/c therefor I have to have it! LOL Glad you are back to the modern times and cool again!

Jeff

[Traveler2586]

I've also had times with no A/C both at home and during some of my travels. I found a short refreshing cool shower works well just before bed. When I didn't have a shower available a cool tub and a bottle of wine did nicely.

Mike - if you try this just make sure all you window curtains are closed,, you wouldn't want to scare the crap out of your neighbors

[OHIO]

Sucks to be you

Haha. This might be the funniest thing I've ever read on this site.

As for Long Mike, just be thankful that you have power.

I got some buddies who won't have power till the seventh.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I find it amusing that all you "northerners" are complaining about the heat. A high 90's day is a cold front down here in Louisiana this time of year. 100% humity at all times too makes it even worse. My wife and I cut as many corners as possible, so out A/C stays on 85 all day and night, but when your used to 110 - 120 heat index, 85 feels cold. I even cover up with a blanket in our 85 degree house lol.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Sucks to be you

Actually, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Wasn't that great at the time. Looking back on it it was fairly nifty though. It's kind of fun getting to dress like a spaceman. For those of yall who haven't seen an arc suit.

[Bankbeater]

I know what you are going through. Last year the a/c went out on my birthday, ha ha great present. Luckily the guy came out the next day and got it fixed.

[dave]

I am one of those people on the east coast. Close to 2 million without power. I went from Friday night til early Monday morning laying in my own sweat. On top of that cleaning up the huge tree in my back yard. (only in the morning as it was 95-100 degrees everyday)

In preparation for Sunday nights sweat bath, I enlisted the help of Capt. Morgan. I remember taking a shower. I hit to sofa downstairs where it was only in the mid nineties inside as opposed to upstairs. I woke up around 5 AM and the power was back A/C humming.

There are still tens of thousands without power in the mid Atlantic. Some not expecting power until this weekend.

[Hyrule Bass]

Sorry to hear that. We used to suffer power outages until I found the one word cure - Generator.

Probably won't find one right now under your conditions, but I would urge everyone to seriously consider buying one. The cost of one freezer full of food would buy you two generators big enough to run the critical items in the average home.

yeah, a generator is the next big purchase on the list. bumped straight to the top lol. thats when i can find one of course. my luck, i'll buy it and the power will never go out again lol. might not have power till thursday though...

[slonezp]

Here's a guy that couldn't cope

http://www.news-journalonline.com/breakingnews/2012/07/deltona-man-holds-air-conditioner-repairman-at-gunpoint-sheriffs-office-says.html

[jdw174]

We have our a/c-furnace serviced twice a year. Once in the spring for the a/c, and again when the weather cools off in the fall. Helps prevent major break-downs when you need it the most. For power outages, we had a Generac stand-by generator installed that runs off of natural gas. Power goes out.....generator starts up. Power comes back on....generator shuts off. Nope, it wasn't cheap, but the peace of mind is priceless.....