Apartment air conditioner problem

[t2006]

Hi everyone,

I know this is kind of a stupid question, but I am fairly desperate--and it's only may and the situation promises to get worse as the summer continues.

I live in a small apartment that has a very old air conditioner built in. Unfortunately, it does not work well at all. The compressor stays on for only a minute and then clicks off, followed by 10 minutes of warm air. My apartment superintendent refuses to do anything about it.

Is there any way to force a compressor to stay on or any other suggestions (other than move, which I am in August)?

If not, can anyone recommend a portable air conditioner that does not vent outside?

Thanks very much

[beenthere]

Originally posted by t2006
Hi everyone,

I know this is kind of a stupid question, but I am fairly desperate--and it's only may and the situation promises to get worse as the summer continues.

I live in a small apartment that has a very old air conditioner built in. Unfortunately, it does not work well at all. The compressor stays on for only a minute and then clicks off, followed by 10 minutes of warm air. My apartment superintendent refuses to do anything about it.

Is there any way to force a compressor to stay on or any other suggestions (other than move, which I am in August)?

Call the housing athurity

If not, can anyone recommend a portable air conditioner that does not vent outside?

Nope, it if didn't vent outside, it would add more heat to the apartment.

Thanks very much

[smokin68]

Don't pay your rent till it's fixed, buy a $80 WINDOW Unit at walmart, and move out in August.

[t2006]

unfortunately, where I live a landlord is not required to provide air conditioning, so it is improper grounds for withholding rent. Additionally, my type of windows do not fit any air conditioners (they are like 5 feet tall/casement) so the window unit is out. That is why I was interested in portable air conditioners.

Does anyone have any recommendations that don't involve fixing the current unit/pressuring my rental company? Sadly, that does not seem possible and my thermometer in my den has reached 88 today.

I really appreciate all the help

[t527ed]

if it is central a/c that was there when you moved in landlord should be required to repair. hold back the rent, depending on state you are in it would probably take till august to evict you.

[4l530]

I tend to agree about holding out on the rent. Or perhaps try paying the rent all in $1 bills, rolled into a massive roll and held together with a rubber band. Look on landlord's face will be classic.
In the meantime, here's a dumb idea I had that might help:
Buy a large cooler. Cut out the two ends. Fabricate a shelf out of hardware cloth the size of the cooler and install it 1/2 to 1/3 from the top. Mount two small box fans to the cut-out ends, oriented to blow through the cooler. Fill the shelf with ice. Refill as needed, don't forget to give the water a place to drain as the ice melts.
I am not recommending for you to actually do this as a fix, just a dumb idea I had that might help. You may also want to buy shares of stock in the company supplying the ice.
:D :D

[beenthere]

Originally posted by t2006
unfortunately, where I live a landlord is not required to provide air conditioning, so it is improper grounds for withholding rent. Additionally, my type of windows do not fit any air conditioners (they are like 5 feet tall/casement) so the window unit is out. That is why I was interested in portable air conditioners.

Does anyone have any recommendations that don't involve fixing the current unit/pressuring my rental company? Sadly, that does not seem possible and my thermometer in my den has reached 88 today.

I really appreciate all the help

If your lease states central A/C, he is required to have it repaired.

With holding rent is not the best thing to do without having gone to housing first, as it can effect your ability to rent another place, unless you like living in motel rooms.

[johnsp]

Is this a wall mounted AC? I'd yank it ut and get a PTAC or other unit designed of r a wall sleeve. A portable is expensive, needs to have the condesate drained out and they don't put much cold air.

[beenthere]

Originally posted by johnsp
Is this a wall mounted AC? I'd yank it ut and get a PTAC or other unit designed of r a wall sleeve. A portable is expensive, needs to have the condesate drained out and they don't put much cold air.

You want him to buy a PTAC for his apartment for acouple monthes, and then leave it there when he moves?

[rsmith46]

Mist water on the sheet rock in the bath or kitchen till mold appears. Tell the landlord if he doesn't fix the A/C to control the humidity your calling the Housing Authority and getting a lawyer because of health problems from the mold.

The word mold scares the hell out of landlords.

[johnsp]

Originally posted by beenthere

Originally posted by johnsp
Is this a wall mounted AC? I'd yank it ut and get a PTAC or other unit designed of r a wall sleeve. A portable is expensive, needs to have the condesate drained out and they don't put much cold air.

You want him to buy a PTAC for his apartment for acouple monthes, and then leave it there when he moves?

ooops! didn't see the August part. Find a small window unit that will fit in one of the open casements and put a piece of plywood up to block out the rest of the open window.

As said, an $80 buck temp solution.

[turtle]

This is Turtle.

Land lords must fix hvac systems if cooling was in the system when you moved in. there was a Federal mandate about 10 years ago when there was a bunch of people dieing from the heat and all apartment must fix the cooling system if the cooling system was in the apartment when the renter moved in. The Land lord has two choices. Remove the cooling equipment from the apartment and sign a new lease stating there is no cooling of the apartment and renter is to furnish the cooling equipment of the apartment. If not the land lord must fix the cooling equipment.

Now if the system breaks down and then the renter is to inform the land lord in writting as to the cooling system is not working. Then the Land lord has 3 working days to fix the system or have major work on the cooling system under way. If not after the 3 rd day the renter can call a hvac serice company and have it fixed and deduct the cost from the rent. Until the mandate was passed cooling was not a must in apartment or build that are rented for homes. Now it is called a must item.

So inform the land lord of the problerm and wait 3 working days and then call you a hvac service company out and have it fixed. Then deduct it from the rent. keep all doctuments as to the repair and time frame. Registered letter to inform him is required. Now your going to piss him but hey he know about this ruling if he has a bunch of apartment to run. Now this is a federal mandated and this matter will be handled in Federal court.

TURTLE

[the dangling wrangler]

Check your local laws. A F A I K they HAVE to supply heat .A/C is your problem . I'm bidding some Federal/City of Houston Housing as we speak. NO, repeat, NO A/C is involved. Wall heaters only.But again this is a city project . Read your lease first . I think you're going to be un-pleasntly surprised. Call your city health dept. and ask them . Good Luck

[perel]

This is specific to your area. Different cities have different requirements.. you need to check with your city's housing office and, if that's not helpful, a tenant lawyer. Of course, that would cost as much as a small window unit for an hour consult, so you might as well just get the window unit in that case.

[xv80satisfiedcust]

Afterwards, you could probably sell the window unit if it doesn't fit in your new place.

[the dangling wrangler]

Chalk one up for xv

[thehackman]

Portables are useless, dont buy them.