What recourse do I have?

Question

At the beginning of June, I asked my landlord to have the heating and A/C ducts looked at and reattached where one or two were separated. It took nearly a month to get the ducts inspected and the condenser recharged, and the system still doesn't work right. The thing is, the A/C is running nearly 16 hours a day and my power bill for this billing cycle is $443. I've asked him to have the blower looked at because I can barely feel the air coming out of most of the floor grates. The system blows cold air, but as I mentioned, its on for about 16 hours at a time because the house is poorly insulated and seeds some updating (which he won't do even if he decides to sell the place). I'm at wits end and so are my roommates. Its not like he doesn't have the money, he just doesn't want to spend it. He thinks that reinsulating the attic will help in the summer, when it will only hold the heat in in the winter (which I've explained to him). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I forgot to mention, The thermostat is in the hallway where no airflow gets to it. I have to keep all doors open so that some cool air gets to it. also, if I go to the power company and ask to see previous bills, it won't help. Over the last few years people have lived there that didn't run the A/C. I know this because a previous roommate told me that last summer it wasn't used and the summer before that as well.

Another thing I didn't mention is that I can't turn up the thermostat any higher. Its already at 78. I keep it there all the time. If I were to turn off the A/C when no one was home, the indoor temperature would increase by about 8 degrees making the starting point 86 degrees that I have to bring down to 78. So another 16 hours after I turn it back on, it'll still not be back to 78 and the next heat of day will be occurring. The system is crap and I can't convince my landlord of that fact.

While I appreciate alll the answers given, I still don't think it should cost $442 to cool a 3 bedroom ranch style home.

Answer 1

Move?

Answer 2

Insulating the attic actually does help. It should already have it there anyway, building codes required it even years ago. It does help to keep it warm in winter and keeps the already cooled room cooler by not letting the attic heat from the roof down in to the ceiling below it.

Recourse? Well, you could call your electric company and ask them what the utilities for your residence ran when the previous tenants were there in the same months time. For instance June 2005 - August 2005, June 2006- August 2006, etc.. This will give you an idea if you have a legitimate complaint about your electric bill. You may find out the bill is normal for the size house and people who are using it just by checking with your local power company. Although, no a/c should run all day. Close all the doors to extra rooms during the day so only the main room is cooled while you are at work, turn the thermostat up while no one is home so the a/c will turn off, close all the blinds, shades, etc. over all window and doors to keep out excess heat, use ceiling fans to move air around as well, if you have gaps at the bottom of entrance/exit doors, roll up a blanket or old sheet to keep air space from letting out cool or in the heat. Maybe this will help.

Answer 3

I would definitely make plans to find another place.

Look at your lease now and make plans to move as soon as the window opens. For instance, some leases require you to give 45 days' written notice to the landlord that you are moving. Make sure you mark it on your calendar and tell him as soon as you can.

In the meantime (depending on how many months you have left), maybe you could all pitch in on a couple cheap window units to last you till it's either colder or time to move. At least your electric bill will be considerably lower.

Answer 4

You have no "legal" recourse. Landlords are required to supply the HVAC, but not necessarily at an economical price.

I lived in apartments for years and finally learned to always rent a new (or near new) unit for this very reason. A little extra in rent was more than offset by outrageous utility bills in units with outdated utilities.

Answer 5

Landlords are only required to provide a means for heating the premises. Air conditioning is a luxury. Remember the treatment you've been getting when it comes time to renew the lease.

Answer 6

Sounds like your A/C unit is suffering from deferred maintenance. Try removing the old filter and replacing it. Might want to clean the coils while your at it. Simple Green will serve as a good cleaner. This should cut down on the unit short cycling.

Answer 7

I'd move. Sorry, but I think you are wrong about the extra insulation, it also helps as a barrier to the heat in the summer.

Answer 8

with a bill like that you are living in the wrong house. vamoose, pronto.