Unhappy Guests: When the Rental A/C Breaks

Unhappy Guests: When the Rental A/C BreaksYou’re in luck if you happen to be renting in Arizona and the A/C breaks, even if it seems like a catastrophe. Thanks to Arizona legislators, landlords and owners have 48 hours to address the problems with a rental A/C that’s not working. The deadline for getting it fixed depends on the problems.

Where to Start

Check the air filter for the air conditioning system if you can find it. A dirty filter will prevent the A/C from running because it blocks the air from flowing through the air handler. After removing the filter, try to restart the system. If it runs, call for a filter replacement. While it’s not your responsibility to check or replace the filter, it’s better to check it first rather than spend hours in a hot rental unit.

If the filter is fine, call the landlord and report that the A/C isn’t working. Any details you can provide may help get it back running faster. Report any strange noises it made, whether there was frost present on the indoor or exterior unit, whether the thermostat clicks or not, or anything else you noticed.

While You Wait

If you’re in a short-term rental like a timeshare or an Airbnb, you might be able to get another room somewhere else. If not, do what you can to stay cool. Swimming pools will quickly lower your core temperature, as will backyard hoses, or just hop in a tepid shower. Avoid cooking indoors, vacuuming, or any other activities.

Once the owner or HVAC expert has had time to evaluate the rental A/C and give you a time estimate, you’ll have an idea of your next steps. Some people buy portable or window A/C units to get through the waiting period if it lasts more than 24 hours.

There’s always a risk with a rental A/C, or even your own, that it will fail when you most need it. Routine, preventive maintenance will prevent sudden breakdowns. If you’d like to find out more, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We provide HVAC services for Yuma-area homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.