[Colima]

A conversation with my landlord:

Initially, my landlord said that my apartment wasn't cooling because it took time for the water temperature to go down (in the Master Chiller) - and I was fine with that.

"You need to understand that the Master Chiller system is not like a conventional A/C System and when it turns on it automatically shoots up 55 degree temperatures."

Then, he said that my apartment wasn't cooling because one compressor was inoperable, but indicated that when it was fixed next week there would be more air, and colder air!

"Currently, our chiller system has two compressors and one is down as we are waiting for a part. That one should be up in running in the next week and the system should be pushing out more air at cooler temperatures."

I was fine with this, and willing to wait patiently until the second compressor was repaired (as he indicated would happen).

But today the landlord's "air conditioning specialist" told me that management just barely received a bid on that repair - and both the on site manager and the "AC specialist" told me that the second compressor won't even be turned on until it's "110". When I asked the landlord about this he then admitted that the second compressor won't even be used (or turned on) unless the temperature reaches 100 degrees!

"The second compressor is inoperable and yes, Dan is correct, it won't turn on until the temps reach 100. Regardless, if the second compressor is on, it won't make any difference as the compressor is what chills the water in the lines to 42 degrees."

Most importantly, he essentially said that the current unit (Master Chiller) is simply insufficient to cool all 39 units - no matter what!

"It has to chill hundreds of gallons of water and has to push ALL of that chilled water to 39 units in this complex, and lets say everybody wants the A/C on at one time, well, just like anything else--the more people trying to use, the less there is to go around. It's just not feasible for any Master Chiller System to do, no matter how old or new, no matter if the duct work has holes or not, no matter if its dirty or clean."

I can't help but think that this will be a serious problem when the temperatures are in the 80s, 90s, and 100s - when it's pretty much guaranteed that every tenant will want (and rightfully so) to use air conditioning.

I just don't see the purpose in having a cooling unit or system for a 39-unit apartment complex that is not capable of cooling a 39-unit apartment complex, particularly in Arizona.

The bottom line is that the chiller is not cooling my apartment. I woke up this morning in a pool of sweat, and discovered that it was cooler outside than inside (after having the AC on all night) - so turned the AC off and opened the windows instead.

The landlord's "air conditioning specialist" came by today at 10am (and he had no tools with him - zero - and looked like a homeless person), turned my fan on high, waved his hand in front of the vent, and told me that everything was working fine!

It is 78 degrees in my apartment right now. It's 83 outside. My AC has been on high for 7 hours, with all the lights off, blinds closed, and without using any heat producing appliances. And it's still 78 degrees INSIDE.

If the chiller can't cool my lower level apartment when the outside temperature is in the low 80s, what is going to happen when the temperature reaches the high 80s, or 90s, or 100s?

This is Phoenix! It's hot here! From May through October, it's going to be 90 degrees or above during the day - and in the months of June, July, August, and September, it's going to be over 100 degrees during the day!

[hvac1000]

Looks like you need to face the facts of your situation. It Is Time To Move because they are not going to make you happy no matter what they do. They have lied to you for starters and it just gets worse from there. Start looking around for a different place to live and make sure the next one has a working A/C system along all the other appliances in good working order. I hate to deal with people like you just dealt with not only did they lie to you but they wasted all of your valuable time. When you get moved then worry about going back on them for rent recovery etc because trying to do that at the same time as moving will be another big headache you do not need right now. I feel bad about you being treated like you were and hopefully you will be able to recover your expenses.

[scott53715]

Are you the only unit having these problems? In my area if you have a problem with your apartment and the owner/ owner's agent doesn't fix it you can call the Building Inspection Department. They'll send an investigator and get the problem fixed. They can also inform you if the problem is subject to rent abatement. In addition, it is illegal to retaliate for your complaint. I'd try to contact the local agency first.

[Colima]

My landlord just turned on our "AC" unit about a week ago. Despite this, my apartment stayed 75-78 degrees inside, even when temperatures outside ranged from 66-92. Since they turned the AC on, the average difference between the outside temperature and inside temperature was 5 degrees (5 degrees cooler inside). However, at night it would actually get hotter inside than outside.

As I stated before, I told them that I felt it was not working, and they told me first that we had to wait for the water temperature in the "Master Chiller" to cool down, and then that the 2nd compressor wasn't fixed yet - but later they told me that the 2nd compressor would not be turned on until it reached 100 degrees or higher outside.

Worst of all, the landlord said that is because when everyone needs AC at the same time there simply isn't enough to go around! I feel that this means they need a unit that is sufficient to cool all units!

How can I convince my landlord that it is not working? How do I measure the temp in my vents? Should I pay for an AC/HVAC specialist to come out and measure vent temperatures and "intake" temperature and air flow and look around and give a "diagnostic" evaluation as proof?

I feel that the air coming from the vents is not very cold at all, and also it is barely blowing.

I complained again, pointed out the inconsistencies in their story, and they sent their "AC" specialist in, who opened the intake and messed with the duct there, turned my fan on high, and set the temperature on my thermostat to "50" - then left saying it was now 65 degrees in my apartment (it wasn't).

I went and got two room thermometers that keep track of the current temperature and the low and high. The coolest it has gotten inside my apartment is 71, the highest is 78.

I don't know if other tenants are having problems - but do know the apartment next door is just as hot and stuffy as mine.

I have Multiple Sclerosis, and have problems with vision and leg functioning in extended hot temperatures, and I am very worried that if the AC can't cool the apartment now when it's not hot, it won't possibly be able to cool the apartment when it is 90 or 100+ outside (which will begin in May and end in October here in Phoenix, Arizona).

Is a Master Chiller with one compressor sufficient to cool a 40-unit apartment complex in Arizona (it's a three story building, concrete block)?

Is it reasonable to expect to keep my apartment at 70-72 degrees?

Any suggestions on what I can do or say to persuade management to take action?

* I am looking into calling the "Building Inspection" right now.

[scott53715]

My mother had MS, I'm sorry. 71 to 78 doesn't seem that bad to me but that's not the point. I'd think the system is adequately sized, especially if it is not a brand new building. I would not call a HVAC contractor for a number of reasons. First, it is money out of your pocket that you will NOT get back. Secondly, you can't give the service person access to all the areas necessary to figure out the system, yet alone repair it. Telling the management that you'll have to move for health reasons might make a difference (but I doubt it).

[Colima]

71-78 doesn't sound bad - but this is when outside temperatures were 66 - 83. This means that when it was 66 outside, it was 71 inside (with the AC on) and when it was 83 outside, it was 78 inside. To me this means that the AC can't even cool the apartment when it's not that hot outside - so what will happen when it is 90+ degrees for 2 months and 100+ degrees for another 4 months? The AC "specialist" came and set my fan on high and my thermostat on 50 and it's still in the 70s in my apartment, even when temperatures outside go below 70. I don't get it. I open the windows anytime the outside temperature goes below 72, but there will be months on end where the temperature, even at night, will be over 90 here.

[Colima]

My mother had MS, I'm sorry. 71 to 78 doesn't seem that bad to me but that's not the point. I'd think the system is adequately sized, especially if it is not a brand new building. I would not call a HVAC contractor for a number of reasons. First, it is money out of your pocket that you will NOT get back. Secondly, you can't give the service person access to all the areas necessary to figure out the system, yet alone repair it. Telling the management that you'll have to move for health reasons might make a difference (but I doubt it).

I know 71-78 doesn't sound bad - but you have to understand that it was 78 when the outside temperature was only 83, and it was 71 when the outside temperature was 66.

So it's not working - and the best scenario is that it is cooling the inside to only 5 degrees less than the outside. When it is 90+ degrees for 2 months straight (even at night) this means it will be 85+ degrees inside our apartments. And when it is 100+ degrees outside for 3-4 months straight, it will be 95 degrees inside our apartments.

And I don't know why it is HOTTER inside than outside at night (outside temps got down to 64-66 the past two nights, but the indoor low was 71).

I open my windows whenever it gets below 72, but left them closed for 3 days to test out the AC (since the landlord and his "AC specialist" said it was working).

How much should AC cool your apartment when it's 66 - 83 outside?

Why is it getting so much hotter at night, when temperatures are actually cooler?

Is a really old Master Chiller system with 2 compressors sufficient to cool a three story cement block (uninsulated) apartment building with 39 units?

[scott53715]

Your unit will only get as cold as the thermostat will allow. I think I'd agree with the landlord that the system is working. AC should not be cooling when its 66 outside. I'm hoping when its 95 out, you'll have 72 inside. But, if you can't feel confident and comfortable there might be a move in your future. I wish you the best. Scott