Hello. I live in a high rise in NYC and my apartment building uses PTAC air conditioning units. I've had problems with all of my units over the years, but currently I'm struggling with the one in the bedroom. It's an Ice Cap unit, and one that I purchased about 10 years ago. My problem is that the unit simply doesn't cool the room on the very hot days of summer. I can't remember the BTUs, but I know that it was sized appropriately for the room, which is about 12' x 15'.

It is currently 1:30 AM, and 82 degrees outside. The unit is on and the room is nearly 80 degrees. Cold air is coming out of the unit, but it simply does not fill the room with cool air. If you stand on the other end of the room you wouldn't even know the AC was on. I've cleaned the filter too, by the way.

I've had service people come out and give me the runaround many times. Some telling me that there's nothing wrong with the unit at all. Which is absurd. I think the problem may just be that the unit is a piece of garbage. I cannot afford to replace it at this time. These units cost over $2000. I do have a Retro-Aire unit in another room and that unit works best of all the ones I have. Is it possible that this unit is just a lousy unit? I've lived in several other buildings in NYC that had PTAC units, and NEVER have I had this sort of problem. I was always able to get my apartment nice and cool, even on the hottest summer days. Also, my guests often complain about how poorly the unit cools the room. Clearly we're not all imagining things. AC units are meant to work better than this.

Anyhow, I can provide more information, certainly. I'd just really appreciate some help, and I have a feeling there are people on this forum that can provide that help. Perhaps there are tests I can run without having to call in a service guy who will no doubt take lots of my money and do essentially nothing. I know there has to be a way to fix this issue...

Thanks in advance for your assistance!