Defective Air Conditioner

Tenant complained of a reduction in services due to a defective air conditioner. The DRA ruled for tenant and reduced her rent. Landlord appealed, arguing that tenant only claimed that the air conditioner caused her to have high electric bills. She didn't say the air conditioner didn't cool down the room. The DHCR ruled against landlord. Tenant stated in her complaint that her air conditioner wasn't working properly. An inspection showed that the temperature at the coil of the unit measured 72 degrees, the outside temperature was 81 degrees, and the temperature in the middle of the room was 75 degrees. Under standards developed by air conditioner engineers, the DHCR requires the coil temperature of air conditioners to be measured at 58 degrees in order to be considered adequate.

Jonathan Woodner Co.: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. No. RH110023RO (2/27/04) [2-pg. doc.]