Homeowners have to learn how to take care of heating and cooling problems quickly. As a renter, the inner workings of your air conditioning system are most likely out of sight and out of mind until something goes wrong.
People who live in apartments must be every bit as vigilant about handling their HVAC needs.
A busted air conditioner leads to miserable summer days when it’s 90 degrees or hotter outside. You can remedy this when you learn a few apartment HVAC tips that will get you through the seasons.
Did AC break in your apartment? No problem. Start with the following tips to work toward solutions.
1. Rule Out Some Common Minor Problems
Your apartment AC is Broken – What Now?
Renters have maintenance professionals on-call who come out to address these issues. But if it’s a non-emergency issue or your apartment maintenance team has a backlog of work, it might quite possibly take a while.
In the meantime, you should run through some troubleshooting steps to know whether you’re dealing with a serious issue. When your apartment won’t cool down, there are often some minor problems at the root cause.
Here are some of the most common AC issues that you’ll want to rule out:
Check for Blown Fuses
Apartment AC not working? Check the fuses and circuit breakers first.
Your air conditioner is subject to energy overloads just like any other fixture in your home. Constant use can cause your home to blow fuses and trip circuits.
Check your fuse box or circuit breaker when you notice you’re not getting any power, or your system is blowing dry air. A simple flip of a switch is often all that it takes to get your AC back up and running.
Rule this out so that you’re not waiting on your apartment maintenance team to fix it.
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Look at Your AC Filters
Bad air conditioning filters are another common problem that can make you think your entire system is broken.
The air conditioning filters have to be cleaned and changed regularly if you’re hoping to get the most from your HVAC system. When these filters get too dirty or backed up, it’s very likely that the performance will take a hit.
Your AC filters should ideally be changed every month or two. Expect your system to suffer when it’s been several months.
Make Sure Your Thermostat is Working Correctly
Simple thermostat issues can also make you feel like your AC is broken. Check the settings and ensure that the controls and temperatures are responsive.
You might have the thermostat up too high, or it may be time for a replacement. Replacing a thermostat is a minor, inexpensive repair in most cases.
2. Make Your Landlord Aware of It
After you’ve ruled out minor issues, let your landlord know about your AC problem. They will send someone out to check on it so you can get whatever repairs you need.
Notify your apartment manager even if they can’t fix the problem right away. Documenting these problems for your records lets you hold them accountable to the law and the terms of the lease.
Your landlord is responsible for handling any replacements if it turns out that your AC is broken beyond repair. An AC replacement can cost $5,000 or more, so definitely keep the property managers abreast of the situation.
3. Call an HVAC Repair Company
Don’t hesitate to hire an air conditioning company of your own. This lets you know you’re getting the standard of service that you need to be comfortable in your home.
Get in touch with a residential HVAC repair professional who can offer a diagnostic assessment. A professional will come out to your apartment and give you an itemized list of the parts and labor you’ll need.
Examples of some air conditioning repairs that you might need to get include fixing the air compressors, repairing leaky refrigerant issues, and changing out evaporator and condenser coils.
Getting an expert opinion lets you understand the state of your air conditioner so that you’re better able to maintain it through the years.
4. Get Multiple Cost Estimates
Assess the price so that you can take care of any air conditioning work that you need. Get estimates from two to three different air conditioning professionals in your area to test the market and get your budget in line.
Make sure to save copies of any estimates so that your landlord can reimburse you for any services you had to pay for out of pocket.
5. Buy a Warranty for the Work
Protect any air conditioning work that you get with a rock-solid HVAC warranty. Most HVAC professionals will offer a warranty at the time of service.
This warranty will cover the new part or labor for a certain number of months or years. An active warranty guarantees that you don’t have to pay for any follow-up work out of your pocket during the duration of the terms.
Get a copy of the warranty in writing and make sure that you’re familiar with the terms prior to signing on the dotted line.
AC Broken in Apartment? No Problem
You don’t have to suffer through heat and doldrums when your AC is breaking down. Put the above tips to use if you’re experiencing an AC broken in your apartment and want to handle it correctly.
We’re happy to help you with more information that can help your quality of life. Start with these points and check out our other posts when you need HVAC tips.
