True - they both suck, it's just for me, the high humidity/heat combo wrings me out - I can't sauna because it makes me so nauseous & I can only hot tub if it's cool out!!!
our ac died - again
- Thread starter amyshulk
- Start date
True - they both suck, it's just for me, the high humidity/heat combo wrings me out - I can't sauna because it makes me so nauseous & I can only hot tub if it's cool out!!!
hot tub for physical therapy & had a community hot tub & pool at the apt complex we used to live in when we 1st moved from mom's condo. Used it once w/bro in-law at night.
When I got out of the USN the 1st time, I stayed w/mom who was house sitting in Hollywood Hills & they had a sauna & pool. HUGE house, tiny sauna & pool!!!
AC guy says it's fine, just dirty. That AC unit {on the roof} and the vents {which only work well in 2 of 6 rooms, and not at all in a bathroom} need to be cleaned.
On 6/17/14, I shut it down for 5 hours JIC it had iced over.
Today, 6/19/14, it stopped pushing out cold air. Lost pressure too. AC guy says it's fine, just dirty, again.
On 6/17/14, I shut it down for 5 hours JIC it had iced over.
Today, 6/19/14, it stopped pushing out cold air. Lost pressure too. AC guy says it's fine, just dirty, again.
I shut it down {5 hours so far} JIC it had iced over - again.
Just shelled out about $100 on 2 *more* fans & a 9' x 12' tarp to block off the East facing patio.
I also have some blackout shutter thingies I haven't got around to putting up yet: Amazon.com: Redi Shade 1817205 Black Out Pleated Shade 48-by-72-Inch, 6-Pack: Home Improvement
Our unit is upstairs, and this is the 2nd summer in 17 years where the bottom unit was vacant, {plus there was a year or 2 of a young family who ^never^ ran their dang AC - the kids were in & out all day long so they left their door open} so I already know the AC can't overcome the heat coming from above *and* below!
So yeah AC guy, it "works" it just doesn't work well!!!
Just shelled out about $100 on 2 *more* fans & a 9' x 12' tarp to block off the East facing patio.
I also have some blackout shutter thingies I haven't got around to putting up yet: Amazon.com: Redi Shade 1817205 Black Out Pleated Shade 48-by-72-Inch, 6-Pack: Home Improvement
Our unit is upstairs, and this is the 2nd summer in 17 years where the bottom unit was vacant, {plus there was a year or 2 of a young family who ^never^ ran their dang AC - the kids were in & out all day long so they left their door open} so I already know the AC can't overcome the heat coming from above *and* below!
So yeah AC guy, it "works" it just doesn't work well!!!
Oh joy. Dead again. It's 85°F *inside* at 9am - & outside it's 89°F & FEELS LIKE 85°F!!!
Today : 101° HIGH
The AC guy told me the unit itself {coils} need to be cleaned, we need the duct work {professionally - he doesn't do it} cleaned {AC doesn't really cool the 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom} and the thermostat needs replacing {have to turn it down to 70° to get it to turn on at 76° or higher! it's probably why the thermostat will say it's 68° when the {ambient air} thermometer will say 76° in the living room and 81° {or higher} in the bedroom!
I just shelled out almost $200 on fans and our electric bill is HUGE because of this!!!
This is the PITA part of renting - can't be proactive and/or get it done right the 1st dang time!!!
Today : 101° HIGH
The AC guy told me the unit itself {coils} need to be cleaned, we need the duct work {professionally - he doesn't do it} cleaned {AC doesn't really cool the 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom} and the thermostat needs replacing {have to turn it down to 70° to get it to turn on at 76° or higher! it's probably why the thermostat will say it's 68° when the {ambient air} thermometer will say 76° in the living room and 81° {or higher} in the bedroom!
I just shelled out almost $200 on fans and our electric bill is HUGE because of this!!!
This is the PITA part of renting - can't be proactive and/or get it done right the 1st dang time!!!
OK, now it's 89°F *inside* and It's 97° RealFeel® 100° outside
1apm and still no word
DH is on his 4 days off {he works 7 days on, days, eves, or mids} from day shift - he goes back Wed night, mids {graveyard shift} and he went out to gamble b4 we figured out the AC wasn't working.
I paged him & told him he might want to see if he could get a comped room for the night.
Duct cleaners called @11:30 to say Wed 8-9 am & we'd be put on the emergency list so if there were any cancellations, we'd get called 1st.
Dh called to say he got the room & he was going to get some sleep - I told him he might want to stay tomorrow night too. We'll see.
1apm and still no word
DH is on his 4 days off {he works 7 days on, days, eves, or mids} from day shift - he goes back Wed night, mids {graveyard shift} and he went out to gamble b4 we figured out the AC wasn't working.
I paged him & told him he might want to see if he could get a comped room for the night.
Duct cleaners called @11:30 to say Wed 8-9 am & we'd be put on the emergency list so if there were any cancellations, we'd get called 1st.
Dh called to say he got the room & he was going to get some sleep - I told him he might want to stay tomorrow night too. We'll see.
OK, register {coils} cleaned, check. Thermostat replaced, check.
Now today, duct cleaners arrived @8:19 am, and for the last hour, their horribly loud machine has been deafening me!!!
She said 1-2 hours. Since this unit was built late 70's, and since we moved in in '97 it's never been cleaned, I'm thinking 3-4 hours!
Now today, duct cleaners arrived @8:19 am, and for the last hour, their horribly loud machine has been deafening me!!!
She said 1-2 hours. Since this unit was built late 70's, and since we moved in in '97 it's never been cleaned, I'm thinking 3-4 hours!
Yup - 8:19 am to 12:31pm - just over 4 hours! They cleaned the register, all ceiling vents, and another AC coil {condenser or compressor? AC guy did 1 yesterday}
DH starts mid shift {graves} tonight & is on his way home to get some sleep
It was 88°F/91°F when AC was turned back on @11:58 am, now {12:51pm} @ 87°F/88°F
The 88°F & 87°F is in the living room/ and the 91°F & 88°F is in our bedroom - there was usually a 3-5°F difference between them {bedroom felt hot/swampy} when AC running b4 cleaning - going to track to see if it tightens up - then I'll know the cleaning was productive!!!
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curmudgeon
New member
I doubt you need new ducts. They rarely go bad. The duct joints are sealed with duct tape that's probably come loose over the years. Cold air is blown into the attic from these leaking joints. If enough of them leak you'll notice reduced air flow because it's going to the attic instead of your living area. Have the duct joints resealed and check the insulation to make sure it's sufficient.
Also, have the room vents checked and sealed if needed. The air duct should fit snugly in the hole cut in the wall or ceiling. Any gaps should be sealed to prevent cold air from blowing into the attic. That's a job you can do yourself. Remove the vents - usually 2 or 4 screws, and look for gaps between the wall or ceiling and the duct. Buy some calk and seal them. If the gap is large, use a can of expanding foam. It's possible they've never been sealed - mine weren't and there were gaps of 1+ inches between the duct and wall.
Last summer I had the ducts and vents resealed and new insulation blown in the attic. Our electric bill is less, the AC blows cold air and the air volume from the vents has increased.
It was 113 here yesterday and our AC kept our 50 year old house at 76 which is where my wife set the thermostat.
Also, have the room vents checked and sealed if needed. The air duct should fit snugly in the hole cut in the wall or ceiling. Any gaps should be sealed to prevent cold air from blowing into the attic. That's a job you can do yourself. Remove the vents - usually 2 or 4 screws, and look for gaps between the wall or ceiling and the duct. Buy some calk and seal them. If the gap is large, use a can of expanding foam. It's possible they've never been sealed - mine weren't and there were gaps of 1+ inches between the duct and wall.
Last summer I had the ducts and vents resealed and new insulation blown in the attic. Our electric bill is less, the AC blows cold air and the air volume from the vents has increased.
It was 113 here yesterday and our AC kept our 50 year old house at 76 which is where my wife set the thermostat.
curmudgeon - TY for the advice, but we rent, and it's an upstairs apt, with nobody in the downstairs unit, so we get heated from above & below!
They did a pressure test and said the ducts are sealed, but they may be positioned wrong or something since the differential is still there - at 6:30 am it was 73°F & 76°F - it's now 80°F & 76°F with thermostat set @ 75°F
Hi Amy...My parents lived in LV for many years and my niece is still there. I suggest you go to one of the hotel lounges and have a drink. 
Or eat in one of their little cafes and linger over your dessert. Use the valet service to park and go get your car so you don't even have to go into the parking lot getting to your car. You could just sit in their lobby and read or text people. So Anyway, I feel for you. We have been over 90 in So Cal...not used to that, here. I'm trying to be a good citizen and not use the AC but, we're old...and it was 88 in my living room yesterday. Too hot for us...and our little doggie, too. I put a damp cloth over her for awhile to help stop her panting. Well, they won't let us water the yard so we're just sitting here watching the $3000. landscaping die. Good luck with your AC...I'm putting a good wish on you. Betty
Or eat in one of their little cafes and linger over your dessert. Use the valet service to park and go get your car so you don't even have to go into the parking lot getting to your car. You could just sit in their lobby and read or text people. So Anyway, I feel for you. We have been over 90 in So Cal...not used to that, here. I'm trying to be a good citizen and not use the AC but, we're old...and it was 88 in my living room yesterday. Too hot for us...and our little doggie, too. I put a damp cloth over her for awhile to help stop her panting. Well, they won't let us water the yard so we're just sitting here watching the $3000. landscaping die. Good luck with your AC...I'm putting a good wish on you. Betty
Yup, AC giving us fits - AC guy repaired a few leaks, charged the coolant, & cleaned an AC coil - still above 85°F inside when set at 74°F!
Asked for a new AC, fingers crossed!!!
Guy is coming to replace/install weather stripping on the front door - BIG gaps let in the heat, plus, we are in the upstairs unit!!!
Asked for a new AC, fingers crossed!!!
Guy is coming to replace/install weather stripping on the front door - BIG gaps let in the heat, plus, we are in the upstairs unit!!!
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beedyr - when we 1st moved here {late 90's} & stayed at my moms condo, while she & her hubby were on a road trip in their RV with no cell phone, her AC died during the hottest part of the summer - we suffered for 2 weeks through triple digit days {112°F-117°F} w/out AC!
DH & I spent a LOT of that time in the cool casinos, but our son couldn't, so we had to put him in the casino day care facility & that got expensive!
Mom *finally* replaced the AC when my aunt let her know what happened, but those 2 weeks were pure torture!!!
DH & I spent a LOT of that time in the cool casinos, but our son couldn't, so we had to put him in the casino day care facility & that got expensive!
Mom *finally* replaced the AC when my aunt let her know what happened, but those 2 weeks were pure torture!!!
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Finally got them to hear me & an AC company came out yesterday for an estimate for replacement - have already had someone out 2x this year & I pointed out to landlord that they have to "fix" it 3-5x's a year, for the last 3-5 years!
It sorta works, just not well, but when it hits triple digits here the AC totally conks out!
It sorta works, just not well, but when it hits triple digits here the AC totally conks out!
Shocka - we got a new AC installed yesterday!!!
I pointed out to mgmt. company that every summer for the last 3-5 years, we've had issues at least 5 times where someone had to repair/recharge the failing AC & why not replace the piece of junk already? Well, he talked to the {new} owner & she OK'd it, YAY!!!
I pointed out to mgmt. company that every summer for the last 3-5 years, we've had issues at least 5 times where someone had to repair/recharge the failing AC & why not replace the piece of junk already? Well, he talked to the {new} owner & she OK'd it, YAY!!!