Whether you're home when your air conditioner breaks down or you're away from home and walk into the sweltering heat, you know that you've got a problem on your hands. A total breakdown of your AC means that something terrible has gone wrong.

If you realize that your AC unit has totally broken down, these are the steps you need to take to prevent further issues.

Turn Off the Thermostat 

The first thing you need to do is turn off your thermostat. This will prevent your AC unit from trying to turn on and running into further issues.

For example, if your motor has stopped, you should make sure that the AC is not continuously trying to turn on. This can lead to a need for further (and more expensive) repairs.

Turn On the Fans 

If you have ceiling fans or other portable fans, now is the time to turn them on. This will help circulate the air in your home and make it more bearable until your AC unit can be repaired. Ceiling fans will also be a great help, and you may want to run them even in rooms where you're not spending time.

Close Window Shades & Blinds

Keep the heat from coming in by closing window shades and blinds. This will help your home stay cooler while you wait for professionals to fix the unit. You may even want to get some blackout curtains if you currently have sheer window treatments.

Check Your Circuit Breaker

Next, check your circuit breaker. It's possible that the AC unit has overloaded the circuits and caused a breaker to trip.

If this is the case, you can simply reset the breaker and see if that does the trick. However, if the breaker trips again, this is a sign that there's a more serious problem with your AC unit or your electricity.

Call a Professional For Repairs

Once you've turned off your thermostat, it's time to call for repairs. Contact an AC repair service to take a look at the unit.

They will be able to diagnose the problem and give you an estimate for repairs. You may even want to get multiple estimates so that you can compare pricing and find the best deal.

Of course, this is a moot point if your unit has broken down in the middle of intense heat. You want to get somebody in to look at it as soon as possible. The sooner you call, the sooner you can get your unit working again.