apartment not cooling very good

[catfish45]

its about 95 degrees outside and 80 now in my apartment. I have had the maintenance people from my complex out a few times to look at the ac because I think it should cool better than it does. They always check the freon and say the ac is properly charged and usually make some smartass remark like its definately working, its cooler than outside. Anyways I decided to check out things for myself, and I think my biggest problem is that a good portion of the fins on the coils are smashed down. Not only that but I tried my best to clean them because they were nasty. I got a TON of dirt out but if I try to shine a flashlight thru the fins I cant see any light at all(not sure if I should) and I was using a spray bottle with water and I couldnt get any water to pass thru the fins. So I'm thinking its still clogged with dirt and the fins being smashed dont help. The other thing is hardly any air comes thru the vents. I have to put my hand on the vent to feel anything. removing the cover on the inside unit bypassing the coil made a HUGE difference in the amount of air comming thru the vents. Our last maintenance guy told us the reason the airflow was so low was because the ducts they used were too small, BS. I also asked this guy to clean/check the coils and he said even if they were dirty it wouldnt make a noticeable difference in air temp. I have a pic of the smashed fins, not sure how to post it tho. Any suggestions? I'm going to call maintenance out again and show them what I found. Thanks!
-Rob

[duct dr]

File a complaint with the manager.

[Mr Bill]

Originally posted by catfish45
I also asked this guy to clean/check the coils and he said even if they were dirty it wouldnt make a noticeable difference in air temp.

Well even thought he is wrong with that statement ask him if he cleaned the coils would it make a difference in the system performance, if he says no well then your next move would be call a "real" a/c company out and pay them to access you system and carry that to the management, even thought I don't really think it would do any good if there attitude is anything like the maintenance man.

[catfish45]

well, I'll call them out again and if they dont want to work with me then I'll go to management. BTW I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and my electricity bill is typically $150-$180 which seems steep to me. The ac runs constantly. I seriously havent heard it turn off in over a week now. The air comming out of the vents is cold, it just doesnt push much air, and I'm thinking its because the fins are smashed and clogged. Does this possibly sound like my problem to y'all? Do you think I should be able to see light shining thru the fins? Thanks!
-Rob

[Mr Bill]

Originally posted by catfish45
The air comming out of the vents is cold
-Rob

Yes because the coil is probably real dirty the air will be colder and the thing is probably overcharged also that is how he probably got the suction up, so as for as he is concerned hey suction pressure is ok so your good to go.

[maxster]

if there is dirt on the "air into it"blind side that has to cleaned off...check the rounds on the squirrel cage if there is dirt on the inside of the coil it might be on the squirrels and if there dirt rounded off that effects the air discharge.take a pocket screwdriver and start pushing each coil fin top to bottom straight(space them).they have to be seperated and clean on both sides for the air to pick up that coil temp.exchange.you said guys put guages on the unit all the time and then remove them...that is freon being taken out of the system and the tonnage of the unit dropping as well with the loose of freon.if this a small wall mounted unit or a split system with the condenser outside i am guessing.if it is a thru the wall unit long rectangular and discharges on the top the charge is critical and that guage thing is killing the freon/cooling levels.

[docholiday]

Originally posted by catfish45
The other thing is hardly any air comes thru the vents. I have to put my hand on the vent to feel anything. removing the cover on the inside unit bypassing the coil made a HUGE difference in the amount of air comming thru the vents. Our last maintenance guy told us the reason the airflow was so low was because the ducts they used were too small, BS.

Your last guy probably was right, I wouldnt say he's giving you any BS. The current guy probably doesnt know sh#@ from apple butter. I'd make sure management knows that you expect that unit to keep your apartment at 75 or 76 on a 95 degree day and that your cooling bill is awful high. You may ask other tennents with similar apartments what their bills are. Or ask your electric company to check into it for you.